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
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a serious inflammatory condition of the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen responsible for producing digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin. In affected dogs, these digestive enzymes activate too early while still inside the pancreas, causing the organ to digest and damage its own tissue. This can lead to widespread inflammation affecting the metabolic and digestive systems.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Perianal fistulas(PAF)
Anal furunculosis is a chronic, painful inflammatory disease affecting the skin and deeper tissues surrounding the anus. It is caused by an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks the dog's own tissues, leading to deep, pus-filled ulcerations and tunnels, known as fistulas, in the skin. This condition is most commonly seen in German Shepherd Dogs due to a complex genetic predisposition.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereEyesComplex
Persistent right aortic arch (vascular ring anomaly)(PRAA)
This is a congenital abnormality of the cardiovascular system where a blood vessel near the heart fails to dissolve during development. This persistent vessel forms a tight ring around the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. This ring constricts the esophagus, preventing solid food from passing through properly.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency(PFK)
This inherited metabolic disorder is caused by a lack of a key enzyme needed to break down sugar for energy in red blood cells and muscles. Without this enzyme, these cells cannot function properly, leading to muscle damage and the premature destruction of red blood cells, which is called hemolysis. This deficiency primarily impacts the muscular and circulatory systems.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHipsAutosomal recessive
Pituitary hormone deficiency, LHX3-related(CPHD)
This condition is an inherited underdevelopment of the pituitary gland, which is a small hormone-producing organ at the base of the brain. Due to a genetic mutation, the gland cannot produce enough growth hormone and other vital regulatory hormones. This deficiency severely impacts the dog's overall development and the function of other organs like the thyroid.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereHipsAutosomal recessive
Pituitary hormone deficiency, POU1F1-related(CPHD)
This is an inherited disorder affecting the pituitary gland, which is a small hormone-producing organ at the base of the brain. Due to a genetic mutation, this gland fails to produce essential hormones, specifically growth hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone. This deficiency severely disrupts the dog's normal growth, metabolism, and physical development.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Polycystic kidney disease(PKD)
This is an inherited genetic disorder where numerous fluid-filled sacs, called cysts, develop and multiply within the kidneys. Over time, these expanding cysts crowd out and destroy the surrounding healthy kidney tissue, preventing the organs from filtering waste products from the blood. This leads to a gradual, permanent decline in overall kidney function.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), CCDC39-related(PCD)
This is an inherited respiratory disorder where the microscopic, hair-like structures called cilia lining the airways fail to move properly. These cilia normally sweep mucus, dust, and bacteria out of the lungs to keep them clean. Because the cilia do not work, the respiratory system cannot clear itself, leading to persistent fluid buildup and chronic infections.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereEyesAutosomal recessive
Primary open-angle glaucoma, ADAMTS10-related(POAG)
Primary open-angle glaucoma is an inherited eye disease caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the normal drainage of fluid, known as aqueous humor, from the eye. This fluid buildup leads to a gradual, painful increase in pressure within the eyeball. Over time, this elevated pressure damages the optic nerve, leading to progressive vision loss.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), CNGB1-related(PRA-CNGB1)
This is an inherited eye disease where a genetic mutation in the CNGB1 gene causes the light-sensitive cells of the retina at the back of the eye to slowly degenerate. Over time, these photoreceptor cells, which are responsible for capturing light and sending visual signals to the brain, stop functioning and die off. This leads to a progressive and permanent loss of vision in both eyes.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Progressive Retinal Atrophy B HIVEP 3(PRA B HIVEP 3)
This is an inherited eye disease that affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue layer at the back of the eye. Over time, the cells in this layer degenerate and die, preventing the eye from sending visual signals to the brain. This progressive loss of function ultimately leads to complete blindness.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 2(PRA-rcd2)
This is an inherited eye disease affecting the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. In affected dogs, the photoreceptors—the specialized cells that detect light—develop abnormally during puppyhood and prematurely waste away. This progressive degeneration leads to a complete and permanent loss of vision.
Affects 2 breedsView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Pyloric stenosis
Pyloric stenosis is a narrowing of the pylorus, which is the muscular valve that regulates the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine. This narrowing obstructs the digestive system by preventing food from entering the intestines normally. It is typically a congenital condition, meaning dogs are born with it.
Affects 2 breedsView details - ModerateMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Skeletal Dysplasia 2(SD2)
Skeletal Dysplasia 2 (SD2) is an inherited bone growth disorder affecting the skeletal system. It causes a mild form of disproportionate dwarfism, where the long bones of the legs do not grow to their normal length. The torso and head develop normally, resulting in a slightly uneven body shape.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 1 (Belgian Malinois)(SDCA1)
Spongiöse Degeneration mit zerebellarer Ataxie 1 (SDCA1) is an inherited neurological disease that causes the brain tissue, particularly in the cerebellum, to break down and develop a spongy appearance. The cerebellum is the area of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and balance. As this tissue degenerates, the dog's nervous system loses the ability to properly control body movements.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy(SLO)
Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (SLO) is an immune-mediated disease where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks the claw beds. This localized immune reaction leads to the progressive damage and shedding of the claws. To confirm the diagnosis, a veterinarian typically performs a claw biopsy, which involves the surgical removal and laboratory analysis of an affected claw.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Van den Ende-Gupta syndrome(VDEGS)
Van den Ende-Gupta syndrome is an inherited developmental disorder that primarily affects the skeletal system, including the skull and joints. It is caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts normal bone and cartilage formation, leading to structural abnormalities. This results in characteristic malformations of the face and limbs.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Weimaraner immunodeficiency(WIS)
Weimaraner immunodeficiency is an inherited disorder of the immune system where affected dogs cannot produce enough antibodies, which are protective proteins needed to fight off illness. Without these antibodies, the dog's body struggles to defend itself against common bacterial and viral infections. This leads to frequent, severe infections throughout the body.
Affects 2 breedsView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Acanthosis Nigricans(AN)
Acanthosis Nigricans is a chronic skin disorder where the body produces excess pigment and skin cells, leading to dark, thickened patches of skin, especially in the armpits and folds. In dogs, particularly Dachshunds, this is often a genetically predisposed condition where the skin's normal shedding and pigment processes are disrupted. This thickening and darkening can eventually cause hair loss in the affected areas.
Affects 1 breedView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Dalmatian)(ARDS)
This is an inherited lung disease in Dalmatian puppies that causes progressive damage to the alveoli, which are the tiny air sacs in the lungs responsible for absorbing oxygen. As these air sacs break down, the lungs can no longer transfer oxygen to the bloodstream, leading to sudden and severe respiratory failure.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Adult Onset Neuropathy(AON)
Adult Onset Neuropathy is an inherited neurological disease that affects the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Over time, the protective outer sheath of these nerves breaks down, disrupting the electrical signals sent from the brain to the muscles. This gradual nerve damage eventually leads to muscle weakness and loss of control.
Affects 1 breedView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy(AHE)
Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy is an inherited brain disease caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts how the body transports thiamine (vitamin B1). Without proper thiamine transport, the brain cannot process energy correctly, leading to progressive damage to nerve tissues. This is an autosomal-recessive condition, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to develop the disease.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Alopecia, generic
Generic alopecia is a broad term for partial or complete hair loss caused by a disruption in the hair follicle's normal growth cycle. This condition affects the skin and coat, stemming from genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, or structural abnormalities in the hair follicles. It is primarily a cosmetic issue where the hair fails to grow back normally.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Anesthesia Sensitivity
This condition is a genetically determined hypersensitivity to certain anesthetic drugs, often linked to the MDR1 gene mutation which impairs the body's ability to limit drug entry into the brain. Because the dog's nervous system and liver cannot process or clear these medications normally, the drugs can quickly build up to toxic levels. This primarily impacts the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system during medical procedures.
Affects 1 breedView details - SevereHeartAutosomal dominant
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) (Boxer cardiomyopathy)(ARVC)
This is an inherited heart disease where the normal muscle tissue of the right ventricle, one of the heart's lower chambers, is gradually replaced by fat and fibrous scar tissue. This structural change disrupts the heart's electrical signals, which normally coordinate regular heartbeats. As a result, the dog's heart can develop dangerous, irregular rhythms.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details
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