Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Myelin defect (redundant)
This is a genetic disorder of the nervous system where the protective covering around nerve fibers, called the myelin sheath, grows excessively. This redundant myelin disrupts the normal transmission of electrical signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Because these nerve impulses are severely impaired, the dog cannot properly coordinate its movements.
View details - SevereSpineUnknown
Myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a severe disorder of the bone marrow, which is the tissue inside bones responsible for producing blood cells. In affected dogs, the bone marrow produces abnormal, immature blood cells that fail to develop properly and cannot function. This leads to a critical shortage of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets in the bloodstream. A bone marrow biopsy or aspirate is the essential diagnostic test used to confirm this abnormal cell development and distinguish MDS from leukemia.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - MildSpineAutosomal recessive
Myeloperoxidase deficiency(MPOD)
This is an inherited immune system disorder where white blood cells lack myeloperoxidase, an essential enzyme used to kill invading microbes. Without this enzyme, the immune system's ability to destroy certain bacteria and fungi is reduced. This deficiency affects the dog's white blood cells, which are the body's primary defense against infection.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Myopathy, creatine deficiency disorder, GATM-related
This genetic condition affects the muscular system by disrupting the body's ability to produce creatine, a compound essential for supplying energy to muscle cells. Due to a defect in the GATM gene, the muscles cannot generate enough energy to function properly, leading to cellular starvation. This lack of energy causes progressive muscle damage and weakness over time.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildEyesComplex
Myopia
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision disorder affecting the eyes. It occurs when the eyeball is anatomically too long or the lens focuses light incorrectly, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This refractive error means that while close objects are clear, distant objects appear blurry to the dog.
Tested via: Eye examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicX-linked
Myotubular Myopathy(MTM-XL)
This is a severe, inherited muscle disorder affecting the skeletal muscles, which control movement. It is caused by an X-linked genetic defect that prevents muscle fibers from developing and maturing properly. This lack of normal muscle structure leads to profound, generalized muscle weakness throughout the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereSpineAutosomal recessive
NAPEPLD-related Leukoencephalomyelopathy(LEMP)
This is an inherited, degenerative disease of the nervous system, specifically affecting the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when the protective myelin sheath—the insulating layer that surrounds nerve fibers to help transmit signals—is progressively destroyed. Without this protective coating, the nervous system cannot properly send messages to the rest of the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Narcolepsy(NARC)
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder affecting the brain's ability to regulate sleep and wakefulness. It is caused by a genetic defect in the receptors for hypocretin, which is a chemical messenger in the brain responsible for keeping the animal awake. Without functioning receptors, the brain cannot properly control the transition between being awake and asleep.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Nasal dermal arteritis(DANP)
This is an inflammatory condition affecting the blood vessels, known as arteritis, in the skin of a dog's nose. The inflammation restricts blood flow to the local tissue, which leads to tissue breakdown and damage. A skin biopsy evaluated by a pathologist is the standard method used to confirm this diagnosis.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - MildEyesComplex
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction(NLDO)
This condition involves a blockage or malformation of the nasolacrimal duct, which is the drainage tube that normally carries excess tears from the eyes into the nose. Because the tears cannot drain properly, they overflow onto the face. This affects the ocular (eye) system and can be congenital, meaning the dog is born with an incomplete or closed drainage opening.
Tested via: Eye examView details - SevereSpineAutosomal recessive
Necrotising myelopathy, IBA57-related(HNM)
This condition, also known as hereditary necrotizing myelopathy (HNM), is a severe, recessively inherited disorder affecting the spinal cord. A genetic defect in the IBA57 gene leads to the progressive degeneration and death, or necrosis, of nerve tissue in the central nervous system. This loss of nerve tissue disrupts the communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Nemaline Myopathy(NEM)
Nemaline Myopathy (NM) is a severe, inherited muscle disorder affecting the skeletal muscles. It is caused by an abnormal accumulation of thread-like protein structures, called nemaline rods, inside the muscle cells. This buildup disrupts the normal structure of the muscle fibers, preventing them from contracting properly and leading to widespread muscle weakness.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neonatal Cerebellar Ataxia (GRM1-related)(BNAt)
This is an inherited neurological disorder that affects the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement. A genetic mutation in the GRM1 gene disrupts normal chemical signaling between brain cells from birth. This disruption prevents the brain from properly controlling muscle movements and balance.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Neonatal hepatitis
Neonatal hepatitis, also known in veterinary medicine as lobular dissecting hepatitis, is a severe inflammatory disease of the liver that affects very young puppies. In this condition, inflammation disrupts the normal structure of the liver tissue, which severely impairs the organ's ability to filter toxins and perform essential metabolic functions.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Neonatal isoerythrolysis(NI)
This is an immune system disorder affecting newborn puppies where the mother's first milk, called colostrum, contains antibodies that attack and destroy the puppy's own red blood cells. This destruction of red blood cells, known as hemolysis, occurs because of incompatible blood types between the mother and her offspring. It rapidly deprives the puppy's body of oxygen and damages the circulatory system.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Neoplasm, generic
A neoplasm is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells that can form either benign, non-spreading tumors or malignant, cancerous tumors in any organ system of the body. This occurs when the body's normal cell regulation fails, allowing damaged cells to multiply instead of dying off. These growths can disrupt the function of surrounding healthy tissues and organs.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Nephronophthisis(NPHP)
Nephronophthisis is a severe kidney disease characterized by progressive scarring of the renal tubules, the tiny channels that turn filtered fluid into urine. As the healthy kidney tissue is replaced by scar tissue, the kidneys gradually lose their ability to concentrate urine and filter toxins. Although a genetic cause is suspected, the exact inheritance pattern in dogs is currently unknown.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neuroaxonal dystrophy, MFN2-related(NAD)
Neuroaxonal dystrophy (MFN2-related) is a severe, inherited neurological disorder that affects the nervous system of Giant Schnauzers and Schnauzer-Beagle crosses. It is caused by a genetic defect in the mitofusin-2 gene, which leads to abnormal swelling and progressive damage to the nerve fibers, known as axons, that transmit signals throughout the body. This damage prevents the brain and spinal cord from communicating properly with the muscles.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neuroaxonal dystrophy, VPS11-related(NAD)
This is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord, caused by a genetic mutation in the VPS11 gene. The mutation leads to progressive damage and swelling of nerve fibers, known as axons, which are the pathways that transmit signals throughout the nervous system. As these fibers deteriorate, the brain loses its ability to communicate properly with the rest of the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighHead / nervous systemUnknown
Neurofibromatosis(NF)
Neurofibromatosis is a rare disorder of the nervous system where tumors, called neurofibromas, grow along the dog's nerve pathways. These tumors, which can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), cause damage by putting physical pressure on the nerves and surrounding organs.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neurological syndrome
This is a severe, inherited neurological disease affecting the brain and nervous system of Gordon Setter puppies, historically known by breeders as DUNGd. It is caused by an autosomal recessive genetic mutation that disrupts normal brain function, leading to fatal neurological decline.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 10 (American Bulldog)(NCL-10)
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis Type 10 (NCL-10) is an inherited metabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system. Due to a genetic mutation, the dog's body lacks a vital enzyme needed to clear cellular waste, leading to a harmful buildup of fat-protein deposits inside the brain's nerve cells. Over time, this accumulation damages and destroys these cells, causing progressive neurological decline.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, 1(NCL1)
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 1 (NCL1) is an inherited metabolic disorder that affects the nervous system. It is classified as a lysosomal storage disease, which means the cells' internal recycling centers (lysosomes) cannot properly break down waste. This leads to a harmful buildup of cellular debris in the nerve cells of the brain and eyes, causing progressive damage.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, 12(NCL12)
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 12 (NCL12) is a severe inherited metabolic disorder that affects the nervous system. It is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents cells from properly breaking down waste, leading to a harmful buildup of fatty pigments in the brain's nerve cells. This accumulation gradually damages and destroys these vital cells over time.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, 2(NCL2)
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (NCL2) is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting the nervous system. It is caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme, which prevents the body from breaking down cellular waste products. These waste materials build up inside the cells of the brain and the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, leading to progressive cell death and severe neurological damage.
Tested via: DNA testView details
Frequently asked questions
What is the HonestDog dog diseases database?
Our database brings together hereditary and common canine conditions with symptoms, inheritance patterns, testing methods, and the breeds where each matters most.
How do I find the right test for a condition?
Search by disease name, abbreviation or symptom, then filter by test type, body region or severity. Each detail page lists recommended tests and affected breeds.
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Health tests help catch hereditary conditions early and support responsible breeding. Many breed clubs require or recommend specific tests as part of their screening.
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