Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Fold dermatitis/pyoderma
Fold dermatitis, also known as intertrigo, is an inflammatory skin condition that occurs within deep skin folds. When skin rubs against skin, it traps moisture, heat, and debris, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast to overgrow. This leads to localized skin infections, particularly in breeds with pronounced facial, lip, or tail folds.
Affects 7 breedsView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Growth hormone-responsive dermatosis; adrenal sex hormone-responsive dermatosis
This is a hormonal skin condition affecting the endocrine system, where an imbalance in adrenal sex hormones or a lack of growth hormone leads to symmetrical hair loss. The skin's hair follicles stop producing new hair, causing them to enter a permanent resting phase. While the skin and coat are affected, the dog's internal organs and overall physical health typically remain completely normal.
Affects 7 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Malignant Hyperthermia(MH)
Malignant hyperthermia, also known as Narkoseüberempfindlichkeit, is an inherited skeletal muscle disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RYR1 gene. This mutation disrupts how calcium is regulated within the muscle cells, causing them to contract uncontrollably when triggered. These intense spasms generate a rapid, life-threatening rise in body temperature, typically brought on by specific anesthetic gases or extreme physical stress.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Megaesophagus(ME)
Megaesophagus is a disorder of the digestive system where the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach, becomes abnormally stretched and loses its muscle tone. Because these muscles can no longer contract to push food and liquid downward, meals become trapped in the tube. This trapped material is typically regurgitated, meaning it is passively cast back up before ever reaching the stomach.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: RadiographView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures(NEWS)
This is a severe, inherited brain disorder that affects newborn puppies, caused by an autosomal-recessive genetic mutation. It leads to abnormal development and degeneration of the central nervous system, which controls the body's movements and mental functions. Because it is inherited recessively, a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Spinocerebellar Ataxia(SCA)
Spinocerebellar ataxia is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the dog's nervous system, specifically the spinal cord and the cerebellum, which is the brain region responsible for coordinating movement. Over time, the nerve cells in these areas degenerate and fail to communicate properly. This results in a progressive loss of control over bodily movements.
Affects 7 breedsView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Acral Mutilation Syndrome(AMS)
Acral Mutilation Syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder that affects the sensory nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the limbs to the brain. Because of this genetic defect, affected dogs cannot feel pain in their paws and lower legs. This lack of sensation leads to a loss of protective reflexes in these areas.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Congenital malformations
Congenital malformations are structural defects in a dog's body or internal organs that develop before birth during embryonic development. These abnormalities can affect various organ systems, including the skeleton, nervous system, or heart, due to complex genetic and environmental factors. Because this is a broad category of developmental errors, the exact impact depends on which specific body parts failed to form correctly.
Affects 6 breedsView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Dermoid sinus(DS)
A dermoid sinus is a congenital skin defect where a tube-like channel fails to close properly during embryonic development, extending from the skin's surface down into deeper tissues or even the spinal cord. This condition primarily affects the skin and nervous system along the midline of the neck and back. While genetic risk tests exist to screen for the underlying ridge gene duplication, a physical examination by a veterinarian, known as clinical palpation, remains the gold standard for diagnosing an actual sinus.
Affects 6 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)(IMHA)
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a severe condition where the dog's immune system mistakenly identifies its own red blood cells as foreign threats and destroys them. Because red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen, this destruction leads to a critical oxygen shortage throughout the body's organs. This disease primarily impacts the immune and circulatory systems.
Affects 6 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Laryngeal Paralysis(LP)
Laryngeal paralysis is a respiratory disorder where the nerves controlling the muscles of the larynx, or voice box, fail to function properly. This failure prevents the vocal folds from opening when the dog inhales, which severely restricts airflow into the windpipe and lungs. Over time, this lack of proper movement can lead to significant breathing difficulties.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: Radiograph, DNA testView details - SevereSpineAutosomal recessive
Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)(LEMP)
Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP) is an inherited neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It causes the progressive breakdown of myelin, which is the protective coating around nerve fibers that helps transmit signals. Without this coating, the dog's central nervous system cannot properly send messages to the rest of the body.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Pemphigus(PF)
Pemphigus is a group of serious autoimmune skin diseases, including a severe deep form called pemphigus vulgaris, where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks the proteins holding skin cells together. This attack disrupts the skin's outer layers, causing the cells to separate from one another. As a result, painful blisters, open sores, and crusts develop across the skin and mucous membranes.
Affects 6 breedsView details - ModerateHeartAutosomal recessive
Platelet dysfunction (thrombocytopathia, Basset hound thrombopathia)(BHT)
This is an inherited blood clotting disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RASGRP2 gene, which affects how platelets (the blood cells responsible for stopping bleeding) function. Even though the dog has a normal number of platelets, these cells cannot clump together properly to form clots. This impairs the circulatory system's ability to heal wounds and control bleeding.
Affects 6 breedsView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 4(PRA-rcd4)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (rcd4) is an inherited eye disease that causes the gradual degeneration of the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Over time, the specialized photoreceptor cells responsible for detecting light and color slowly die off. This progressive loss of cells eventually leads to complete blindness in both eyes.
Affects 6 breedsView details - SevereHeartAutosomal recessive
Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency(PKD)
Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting red blood cells, which lack a vital enzyme needed to produce energy. Without this enzyme, the red blood cells break down prematurely, leading to a severe shortage of oxygen-carrying cells, a condition known as chronic anemia. Over time, this constant cell destruction can cause secondary damage to organs like the liver and bone marrow.
Affects 6 breedsView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Tracheal collapse(TC)
Tracheal collapse is a progressive respiratory condition where the C-shaped cartilage rings that keep the windpipe (trachea) open begin to weaken and flatten. As these supportive rings lose their rigidity, the airway narrows, making it difficult for air to pass smoothly into the lungs. This mechanical failure of the respiratory tract leads to chronic irritation and breathing difficulties.
Affects 6 breedsView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Zinc-responsive dermatosis(ZRD)
Zinc-responsive dermatosis is a skin disorder where a dog's body cannot properly absorb or use zinc from their food, even when eating a balanced diet. This nutritional deficiency weakens the skin's protective barrier, leading to irritation and abnormal skin cell development. Because there are no genetic tests for this condition, veterinarians diagnose it using breed history, skin biopsies, and how well the dog responds to zinc therapy.
Affects 6 breedsView details - ModerateMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Amelogenesis Imperfecta (Italian Greyhound)(AI)
This is an inherited genetic disorder affecting the dental system, specifically the development of tooth enamel. Due to a genetic mutation, the protective outer layer of the teeth (enamel) does not form properly or is completely missing. This leaves the softer, underlying layers of the teeth exposed, making them fragile and highly sensitive.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHeartAutosomal recessive
Canine cyclic hematopoiesis(GCS)
This is an inherited bone marrow disorder where the body's production of blood cells, particularly infection-fighting white blood cells, drops drastically at regular intervals. This cyclic drop temporarily leaves the dog's immune system highly vulnerable to infections. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation affecting how stem cells in the bone marrow mature.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Disorders of sexual development - sex reversal(DSD)
This is a congenital condition affecting the reproductive system where a dog's genetic sex (their chromosomes) does not match their physical gonads (internal reproductive organs like ovaries or testes) or external genitalia. This mismatch occurs during early development in the womb. Because it is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Familial goitre(CHG)
Familial goitre is an inherited disorder of the endocrine system where the thyroid gland is unable to produce essential thyroid hormones. This genetic defect causes the thyroid gland in the neck to enlarge significantly as it tries to compensate for the hormone deficiency. Without immediate treatment, this lack of hormones severely disrupts normal growth and body functions.
Affects 5 breedsView details - ModerateSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Hairlessness
This is a genetic condition known as ectodermal dysplasia, which affects the development of the outer layer of tissue in a developing embryo. This impairment specifically impacts the skin, hair follicles, and teeth, preventing them from forming normally. As a result, affected dogs are born with little to no coat and often have missing or malformed teeth.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - UnknownGeneral / metabolic
Lockennachweis (Barbet)
This is not a disease or medical condition, but rather a genetic test used to verify the coat characteristics of the Barbet breed. It identifies the presence of the autosomal-dominant gene variant (KRT71) responsible for the breed's characteristic curly hair structure. Breeding clubs, such as the VBBFL e.V., use this verification to ensure dogs meet breed standards for coat type.
Affects 5 breedsView details - MildEyesAutosomal recessive
Multifocal Retinopathy 1(CMR1)
Multifocal Retinopathy 1 is an inherited eye condition affecting the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It causes small, fluid-filled blisters to form beneath this layer, leading to localized areas of retinal detachment. Despite these structural changes, the overall health of the eye is rarely compromised.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details
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