Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Copper toxicosis, COMMD1-related(CT)
This is an inherited genetic disorder where a mutation in the COMMD1 gene prevents the liver from properly excreting copper. As a result, copper builds up to toxic levels in the liver cells, causing progressive damage, inflammation (chronic hepatitis), and scarring of the liver tissue.
View details - HighHeartUnknown
Cor triatriatum dexter(CTD)
Cor triatriatum dexter is a rare heart defect present from birth where the right atrium, one of the upper chambers of the heart, is divided into two sections by an abnormal membrane. This membrane restricts the normal flow of blood returning from the body, causing fluid and pressure to back up in the veins.
View details - HighEyesComplex
Corneal ulceration
A corneal ulcer is an open sore or wound on the cornea, which is the clear outer membrane of the eye. This condition occurs when the protective outer layer of cells is damaged, exposing the sensitive deeper layers of eye tissue. It is often triggered by physical trauma, eyelid abnormalities, or chronic dryness, and can sometimes be linked to underlying hereditary eye shapes.
View details - HighHead / nervous systemUnknown
Corpus callosum hypoplasia / dysplasia
This is a congenital brain malformation where the corpus callosum, the vital bridge of nerve fibers connecting the left and right sides of the brain, is either underdeveloped or completely missing. Without this connection, communication between the two brain hemispheres is disrupted, affecting the central nervous system.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Coxofemoral luxation
Coxofemoral luxation is the complete dislocation of the hip joint, which occurs when the ball-shaped head of the thigh bone slips out of its socket in the pelvis. This skeletal injury is usually caused by physical trauma, though it can happen more easily in dogs with pre-existing hip instability. Veterinarians confirm this displacement using orthogonal pelvic radiographs, which are specialized X-rays taken from different angles.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction(CPD)
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction is a severe swallowing disorder affecting the throat and digestive system. It occurs when the upper esophageal sphincter, which is the muscular valve at the top of the food pipe, fails to relax and open in coordination with swallowing. This malfunction prevents food and liquid from passing normally from the mouth into the stomach.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Cushing syndrome, ACTH-independent, adrenal-dependent hypercortisolism(ADH)
Adrenal-dependent Cushing's syndrome occurs when a tumor in the adrenal glands, which are small hormone-producing organs near the kidneys, produces excessive amounts of the stress hormone cortisol. This overproduction happens independently of the brain's normal regulatory signals, leading to a chronic hormone overload. The constantly elevated cortisol levels disrupt the dog's metabolism and can gradually damage multiple organ systems.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy(CRGV)
Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, commonly known as Alabama Rot, is a severe disease that damages the tiny blood vessels in a dog's skin and kidneys. This damage causes blood clots to form in the vessels, which blocks normal blood flow and leads to localized tissue death. This process results in painful skin lesions and can trigger sudden, life-threatening kidney failure.
View details - MildSkin & coatUnknown
Cutaneous papillomatosis
Cutaneous papillomatosis is a viral skin condition caused by canine papillomaviruses, which trigger the rapid growth of cells on the skin's surface. This results in the formation of benign, or non-cancerous, skin growths commonly known as warts. Because this is an infectious viral disease rather than a heritable genetic condition, it is not passed down through a dog's genes.
View details - SevereEyesUnknown
Cyclopia
Cyclopia is a rare congenital defect affecting the development of the forebrain and face during embryonic growth. In this condition, the brain fails to properly divide the eye orbits into two distinct cavities, resulting in a single central eye. It impacts both the nervous system and the physical structure of the skull.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Cystic bone lesions
Bone cysts are fluid-filled cavities that develop within the skeletal system, specifically inside the bone tissue. These hollow spaces weaken the structural integrity of the affected bone, making it fragile and prone to damage. They most commonly occur in the long bones of the limbs, often near the joints.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Cystinuria Risk Factor Type 3 Variant 3 (Bulldog)(Cyst3-3)
This is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting the kidneys, where the body fails to properly reabsorb the amino acid cystine, a protein building block, from the urine. Instead of being filtered back into the bloodstream, excess cystine accumulates in the urinary tract. Over time, this buildup clumps together to form painful stones in the bladder and kidneys.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Cystinuria, type II-A
This is an inherited metabolic kidney disorder where the kidneys fail to reabsorb an amino acid called cystine from the urine. Because the cystine remains in the urine, it clumps together to form painful stones in the bladder and urinary tract. This genetic defect is inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner, meaning a dog only needs to inherit one copy of the mutated gene to be affected.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Cystinuria, type II-B
This is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting the kidneys, where the kidneys fail to reabsorb the amino acid cystine, a protein building block, from the urine. Because the cystine is not properly filtered, it accumulates in the urinary tract and clumps together. This leads to the formation of painful crystalline deposits and stones in the bladder or kidneys.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Dal blood group system(Dal)
The Dal blood group system involves a specific protein, or antigen, located on the surface of a dog's red blood cells. Dogs with an autosomal recessive genetic variation lack this protein, making them Dal-negative. If a Dal-negative dog receives a blood transfusion containing Dal-positive blood, their immune system will recognize the foreign protein and attack the donor red blood cells.
View details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Darier disease
Darier-Krankheit is an inherited skin disorder caused by an autosomal-dominant genetic mutation that affects how skin cells bind together and mature. This disruption in cell cohesion and keratinization weakens the outer skin barrier, leading to chronic inflammation. Essentially, the skin cells cannot stick together properly, making the dog's skin fragile and highly susceptible to irritation.
View details - HighEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, bilateral, and vestibular dysfunction, MYO7A-related(DINGS2)
This inherited inner ear disorder, also known as DINGS2, is caused by a genetic mutation in the MYO7A gene. The mutation disrupts the sensory hair cells in the inner ear that are responsible for transmitting sound and maintaining balance. Consequently, affected dogs suffer from complete hearing loss in both ears and a poorly functioning vestibular system.
View details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, CDH23-related
This is an inherited form of deafness affecting the inner ear, caused by a genetic mutation in the CDH23 gene. This mutation disrupts the development and function of the tiny sensory hair cells in the ear that normally convert sound waves into electrical signals for the brain. Without these functioning hair cells, the dog cannot perceive sound.
View details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, EPS8L2-related(EOAD)
This is an inherited form of hearing loss affecting the inner ear, primarily found in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and identified by researchers in 2022. A genetic mutation in the EPS8L2 gene damages the tiny, delicate sensory hair cells in the ear that normally convert sound vibrations into electrical signals. Without these functioning hair cells, the dog's brain cannot receive auditory information.
View details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, KLF7-related
This is an inherited form of deafness associated with a genetic variant in the KLF7 gene, which affects the development of the inner ear's sensory hair cells responsible for hearing. Because it is a candidate gene variant with incomplete penetrance, not every dog carrying the variant will actually develop hearing loss. It is primarily researched in Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs and is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, LOXHD1-related
This is an inherited form of deafness affecting the inner ear, caused by a genetic mutation in the LOXHD1 gene. This gene is responsible for maintaining the structure and function of tiny hair cells in the ear that detect sound vibrations and send signals to the brain. Without properly functioning hair cells, the dog's ability to process sound is gradually lost.
View details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, unilateral and vestibular dysfunction, PTPRQ-related
This is an inherited disorder of the inner ear caused by a genetic mutation, commonly known as DINGS1. It affects both the auditory system, which processes sound, and the vestibular system, which is the organ responsible for balance. The mutation prevents the normal development of sensory hair cells in the ear, leading to hearing loss on one side and coordination issues.
Tested via: Other, DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Deficiency of cytosolic arylamine N-acetylation
This is not a disease, but a natural species-wide characteristic in all dogs, who lack the NAT1 and NAT2 genes. Because of this genetic absence, dogs cannot produce the liver enzymes needed for cytosolic arylamine N-acetylation, which is a process normally used to break down certain foreign chemicals. This affects how their metabolic system processes specific substances, particularly certain medications like sulfonamide antibiotics.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Degenerative encephalopathy, RB1CC1-related(DE)
This is an inherited neurological disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RB1CC1 gene, which leads to the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. As these brain cells degenerate, the dog loses the ability to properly coordinate movements and regulate behavior.
View details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Degenerative myopathy of the obturator externus muscle
This is an extremely rare degenerative condition affecting the external obturator muscle, which is a deep muscle in the hip joint responsible for rotating the hind leg. Over time, the muscle tissue degrades or develops scarring, which impairs normal movement. It is a muscular disorder that has only been documented in very rare cases.
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