Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's syndrome)(HAC)
Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder affecting the endocrine system, where the adrenal glands chronically produce too much of the stress hormone cortisol. This overproduction disrupts the dog's normal metabolism, fluid balance, and immune system function. It is typically caused by a benign tumor in either the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands themselves.
Affects 3 breedsView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease)(HA)
Addison's disease is a hormonal disorder where the outer layer of the adrenal glands, known as the adrenal cortex, fails to produce enough essential hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol helps the dog's body manage stress and metabolism, while aldosterone regulates the balance of water and vital minerals. Without these hormones, the body cannot properly control its internal fluid levels or respond to daily physical stress.
Affects 3 breedsView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome(IGS)
Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome is an inherited metabolic disorder where a dog's digestive system cannot absorb vitamin B12 from food. This inability to absorb the vitamin leads to a chronic deficiency, which impairs normal red blood cell production in the bone marrow and disrupts the nervous system.
Affects 3 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy(JDCM)
This is a severe, inherited heart disease where the heart muscle becomes abnormally enlarged and weakened, preventing it from pumping blood effectively. It is an autosomal-recessive condition that primarily affects young Portuguese Water Dogs and Toy Manchester Terriers. In Toy Manchester Terriers, the disease is linked to a mutation in a cardiac potassium channel, which is a protein essential for maintaining a normal heart rhythm.
Affects 3 breedsView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Lafora disease(Lafora)
Lafora disease is an inherited brain disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of starch-like compounds inside the nerve cells. This accumulation gradually damages the central nervous system, preventing the brain from functioning normally. Over time, this leads to progressive neurological decline and recurrent seizures.
Affects 3 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereSkin & coatComplex
Lupus erythematosus (systemic, cutaneous/discoid)(SLE)
Lupus erythematosus is a severe autoimmune disease where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. In the cutaneous or discoid form, this damage is limited to the skin, while the systemic form can affect multiple internal organs, including the kidneys, joints, and blood vessels. This abnormal immune response causes chronic inflammation and tissue damage throughout the affected areas.
Affects 3 breedsView details - ModerateSpineAutosomal recessive
Myelodysplasia (spinal dysraphism)(SD)
Myelodysplasia, also known as spinal dysraphism, is a congenital malformation of the spinal cord where the nervous tissue fails to develop and close properly during embryonic growth. This defect permanently disrupts the transmission of nerve signals from the brain to the hind legs. Because the spinal cord is part of the central nervous system, this malformation directly impacts the dog's coordination and movement.
Affects 3 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Myotonia(MC)
Myotonia is an inherited muscle disorder where a dog's muscles are unable to relax normally after contracting. This is caused by a genetic defect in the electrical channels of the muscle cells, leading to constant over-excitement of the muscle tissue. Because the muscles remain tense instead of releasing, it directly impacts the dog's ability to move smoothly.
Affects 3 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neuroaxonal dystrophy(NAD)
Neuroaxonal dystrophy is a severe, inherited disorder of the central nervous system where the endings of nerve cells, called axons, swell and degenerate. Axons act like electrical wires that transmit signals between the brain and the body, and their breakdown disrupts normal communication. This progressive deterioration leads to widespread neurological dysfunction.
Affects 3 breedsTested via: DNA test, RadiographView details - ModerateHead / nervous systemComplex
Paralyzed, permanently visible tongue
This condition involves a paralyzed or structurally abnormal tongue that permanently hangs out of the dog's mouth. It is caused by damage to the nervous system, specifically the hypoglossal nerve which controls tongue movement, or by developmental issues in the jaw structure. Because it is a physical condition diagnosed through a clinical exam, there is no direct genetic test for it.
Affects 3 breedsView details - HighHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Peripheral neuropathy(PN)
This is a genetic disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. In affected dogs, the protective outer coating of these nerves degrades, disrupting the electrical signals sent to muscles and organs. This leads to progressive muscle weakness and loss of coordination.
Affects 3 breedsView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Polyneuropathy, NDRG1-related(AMPN)
This is an inherited disorder of the peripheral nervous system where the protective outer coating of the nerves, known as the myelin sheath, gradually breaks down. Without this protective layer, the electrical signals traveling between the brain and the muscles are disrupted. This leads to a progressive loss of muscle control and coordination throughout the dog's body.
Affects 3 breedsView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Progressive Retinal Atrophy 1 (Golden Retriever)(GR-PRA1)
This is an inherited eye disease where the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, gradually degenerates. Due to a genetic mutation, the photoreceptor cells that process light slowly die off, leading to a progressive loss of vision. This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning a dog must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to develop the disease.
Affects 3 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicX-linked
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)(SCID)
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is an inherited genetic defect of the immune system, specifically linked to the X chromosome. It prevents the dog's body from producing functional white blood cells, known as T and B lymphocytes, which are essential for fighting off infections. Without these defense cells, affected puppies are completely vulnerable to even common environmental bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Affects 3 breedsView details - HighMouth & teethComplex
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a congenital birth defect of the nervous system where the vertebrae, which are the bones of the spine, fail to close completely around the spinal cord during embryonic development. This incomplete closure leaves the delicate spinal cord unprotected, which can lead to nerve damage in the lower back.
Affects 3 breedsView details - ModerateMouth & teethComplex
Spondylosis(SP)
Spondylosis is a degenerative disease of the skeletal system, specifically affecting the spine. It occurs when the body creates bony spurs or bridges between the vertebrae, which are the individual bones of the spine, in an attempt to stabilize local joint instability. Over time, these bony growths can cause the spine to become stiff and less flexible.
Affects 3 breedsView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Tail anomalies
Tail anomalies are congenital (present from birth) malformations of the caudal vertebrae, which are the small bones that make up the tail. This skeletal condition occurs when these vertebral bodies do not develop or fuse properly during fetal growth, resulting in a kinked, curved, or shortened tail.
Affects 3 breedsView details - HighHeartComplex
Ventricular septal defect(VSD)
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart defect where a hole exists in the wall, or septum, that separates the left and right lower chambers of the heart. This opening allows blood to flow abnormally between these chambers, forcing the heart and lungs to work much harder than normal. Over time, this abnormal circulation can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs and heart failure.
Affects 3 breedsView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a harmless condition affecting the skin and coat where the body's immune system mistakenly destroys melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for producing pigment. This leads to a progressive loss of color in localized areas of the skin, nose, and fur. The condition is entirely cosmetic and does not cause any underlying illness or physical discomfort.
Affects 3 breedsView details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Adult-onset deafness(AOD)
This condition is a progressive form of hearing loss that affects the auditory system, specifically the sensory cells within the inner ear. Over time, these specialized cells degenerate and lose their ability to transmit sound signals to the brain. Because it is an inherited disorder, this deterioration occurs naturally as the dog matures, even though the outer ear looks completely healthy.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Behavioral Issues
Behavioral disorders in dogs involve abnormalities in the central nervous system and brain chemistry, which regulate mood and responses to stimuli. These conditions arise from a complex interaction between a dog's genetic makeup and its environmental experiences. This means there is no single gene responsible, but rather a combination of hereditary factors that influence how a dog reacts to its world.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighHead / nervous systemComplex
Cauda equina syndrome(DLSS)
Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition affecting the lower back, where the bundle of nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord becomes compressed and damaged. This compression typically occurs at the junction between the lower lumbar spine and the sacrum. It is often triggered by degenerative changes, such as a herniated disc or narrowing of the spinal canal, which put pressure on these vital nerves.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: RadiographView details - HighEyesComplex
Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)(CPRA)
Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA) is an inherited eye disease that affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the dog's eye. In this condition, the supporting cells of the retina fail to properly process waste and transport nutrients to the light-sensing cells. Over time, this metabolic failure causes these light-sensing cells to slowly deteriorate, resulting in a gradual loss of vision.
Affects 2 breedsView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Coat colour, extension(E-Locus)
The Extension locus, also known as the E Locus or MC1R gene, is a genetic location that controls pigment production in a dog's hair follicles and skin. It acts as a biological switch, determining whether the body produces dark pigment, called eumelanin, or yellow-to-red pigment, called pheomelanin. This is a normal genetic variation that influences physical appearance rather than a medical disease.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEyesAutosomal recessive
Cone Degeneration(CD)
Cone degeneration is an inherited eye disorder where the specialized light-sensitive cells in the retina responsible for color and bright light vision, called cones, gradually break down. This deterioration specifically affects the dog's ability to see in daylight, while the rod cells, which handle low-light and night vision, remain completely healthy and functional.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details
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