Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
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- HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Cone-rod dystrophy 4 (crd4/cord1-PRA)(cord4)
This condition is an inherited eye disease that causes the gradual breakdown of the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It specifically targets both the cone cells, which handle daylight and color vision, and the rod cells, which are responsible for seeing in low light. As these specialized cells degenerate, the dog's ability to send visual signals to the brain steadily declines.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereHeartComplex
Congenital heart defect
A congenital heart defect is a structural malformation of the heart or its major blood vessels that develops before birth. These physical abnormalities disrupt the normal flow of blood through the cardiovascular system, making it harder for the heart to pump oxygen throughout the body. This structural strain can lead to fluid buildup and reduces the dog's overall stamina.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereEyesAutosomal recessive
Curly Coat Dry Eye Syndrome(CC)
This is an inherited genetic disorder that simultaneously affects a dog's eyes, skin, and coat. It is caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts the normal development of the tear glands and the outer layer of the skin. This leads to a severe lack of tear production, known as dry eye, alongside abnormal hardening of the skin cells.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Cystinuria, type III
Cystinuria type III is an inherited metabolic kidney disorder where the kidneys fail to reabsorb the amino acid cystine, which is a building block of proteins, back into the bloodstream. Instead, this substance accumulates in the urine, where it can crystallize. These crystals eventually clump together to form painful stones within the bladder or kidneys.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Dermatosis
Dermatosis is a general term for any disease or abnormal condition affecting a dog's skin, which is the body's largest organ system. These conditions disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier, structure, or pigment, often due to a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors. Because it is an umbrella term, it covers various specific skin disorders rather than a single disease.
Affects 2 breedsView details - ModerateEarsComplex
Ear anomalies
Ear anomalies are congenital malformations affecting the structure of a dog's outer ear, ear canal, or inner ear. These developmental defects can block normal airflow or disrupt the transmission of sound, potentially causing chronic infections or hearing loss. To assess the extent of the inner ear's function, veterinarians often use a specialized hearing test known as a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: OtherView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Ectodermal Dysplasia(ED-SFS)
Ectodermal dysplasia with skin fragility syndrome (ED-SFS) is a severe genetic disorder affecting the skin and its associated structures, such as hair, claws, and teeth. It is caused by a defect in the proteins that normally bind skin cells together, leading to extremely weak cell cohesion. This lack of structural integrity makes the skin highly vulnerable to tearing and peeling under normal wear and tear.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighHeartAutosomal recessive
Familial vasculopathy(FCV)
Familial vasculopathy is an inherited inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels, primarily affecting the skin. This genetic condition causes the immune system to mistakenly attack blood vessels, leading to restricted blood flow and tissue damage. Unlike other forms of vasculopathy, this specific familial type is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner and primarily impacts German Shepherds.
Affects 2 breedsView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Fecundity, generic
This refers to a dog's genetic predisposition regarding reproductive capacity, specifically fertility and litter size. It involves the complex biological mechanisms of the reproductive system, determining how easily a dog can conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. It is not a disease, but rather a genetic variation affecting reproductive efficiency.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Glycogen storage disease type Ia(GSD Ia)
Glycogen storage disease type Ia is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting the liver and kidneys. It is caused by a deficiency in a key enzyme needed to break down stored sugar, known as glycogen, into glucose for energy. Without this enzyme, glycogen builds up to damaging levels in these organs while the rest of the body suffers from a severe lack of fuel.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Hereditary myopathy - Labrador retriever/Bouviers des Flandres myopathy(CNM)
This is an inherited muscle disease affecting the skeletal muscles of Labrador Retrievers and Bouviers des Flandres. It is caused by a genetic defect that prevents muscle fibers from developing normally, leading to progressive muscle wasting where the muscles gradually shrink and weaken.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis(HNPK)
Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK) is an inherited skin disorder that affects the nose. It is caused by a genetic defect that disrupts keratinization, which is the natural process where skin cells mature and form a protective, moisture-retaining outer layer. Without this barrier, the skin on the nose becomes extremely dry, thick, and prone to damage.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Histiocytic ulcerative colitis(HUC)
Histiocytic ulcerative colitis is a severe, chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine, or colon. It occurs when specific bacteria invade the lining of the intestinal wall, triggering an abnormal and intense immune response. This leads to deep inflammation and painful ulcers in the colon.
Affects 2 breedsView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidaemia is a metabolic disorder where a dog's body cannot properly process fats, leading to abnormally high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in the bloodstream. This excess fat circulates through the cardiovascular system and can affect various organs, particularly the pancreas and liver. Veterinarians diagnose and monitor this condition using blood tests like a fasting lipid profile to measure these fat levels.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia(IMT)
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is an autoimmune disease where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own blood platelets, which are cells essential for normal blood clotting. This destruction occurs primarily in the spleen and liver, leaving the body with too few platelets to stop bleeding. Without enough of these cells, spontaneous and potentially severe bleeding can occur throughout the body.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Inflammatory Pulmonary Disease(IPD)
Inflammatory Pulmonary Disease (IPD) is an inherited respiratory disorder affecting the lungs and airways. It is caused by a genetic defect in the cilia, which are tiny, hair-like structures responsible for clearing mucus and debris from the respiratory tract. Without functioning cilia, the lungs cannot self-clean, leading to persistent buildup and chronic inflammation.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEyesUnknown
Iris hypoplasia
Iris hypoplasia is a congenital condition affecting the eye where the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, is underdeveloped and thinner than normal. This thinning or the presence of small gaps means the eye cannot fully regulate the amount of light entering the pupil. It is a benign, non-painful developmental variation rather than an active, progressive disease.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Lethal Acrodermatitis(LAD)
Lethal acrodermatitis is an inherited metabolic disorder that affects a dog's skin and immune system. It is caused by an inability to properly process zinc, which leads to severe skin inflammation and a weakened ability to fight off infections.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Lissencephaly
Lissencephaly is an inherited brain malformation where the cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain, fails to develop its normal folds and remains abnormally smooth. This genetic defect disrupts how nerve cells migrate during development, severely impairing the central nervous system's ability to process information.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Radiograph, DNA testView details - SevereSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Lupoid dermatosis(ECLE)
Lupoid dermatosis is an inherited autoimmune skin disease where a dog's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own skin cells. This abnormal immune response targets the outer layers of the skin, leading to severe, chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Over time, this causes significant scaling, crusting, and hair loss across the body.
Affects 2 breedsView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Malassezia dermatitis/otitis
This is an inflammatory skin and ear condition caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia, a type of yeast that naturally lives on a dog's skin. When the skin barrier is disrupted by allergies or a weakened immune system, these yeast organisms multiply uncontrollably and cause irritation. This is considered an opportunistic infection, meaning it takes advantage of an underlying health issue, and it often involves complex genetic predispositions.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereHead / nervous systemComplex
Meningitis(SRMA)
Meningitis is a severe inflammatory condition affecting the protective membranes, called meninges, and blood vessels surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In dogs, this most commonly occurs as an immune-mediated disorder known as Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis (SRMA), or 'Steril-eitrige Meningitis-Arteriitis'. This means the dog's own immune system mistakenly triggers inflammation in these nervous system tissues without any actual infection being present.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: RadiographView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII(MPS VII)
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII (MPS VII) is an inherited metabolic disorder belonging to a group called lysosomal storage diseases. It occurs when a deficiency in a specific enzyme prevents the body from breaking down complex sugar molecules, leading to a harmful buildup of waste products inside cells. This accumulation causes progressive damage to multiple organ systems, particularly the skeleton and connective tissues.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Mycobacterium avium complex(MAC)
This is an inherited immune system disorder where a genetic defect prevents the body from fighting off a specific group of common environmental bacteria called the Mycobacterium avium complex. Normally, a healthy dog's immune system easily clears these bacteria, but affected dogs lack this defense, allowing the bacteria to spread and cause widespread infection.
Affects 2 breedsView 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.
Affects 2 breedsView details
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