Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 22 August 2006
Dobermans are generally healthy but, like other breeds, they have some problems that occur more frequently than in the general dog population. You should be aware of these problems when searching for your special puppy, and ask questions of your prospective breeder regarding the incidence of these problems in the ancestors of the litter.Below is a brief description of the problem, possible symptoms and testing methods currently available. Always work with your veterinarian when diagnosing and treating any disorder. The three biggest killers of our Dobermans are known as the three C's; cardio, cancer and CVI. At present we have no diagnostic tests to predict future onset of these diseases.
Cardiomyopathy is a general term meaning “disease of the heart muscle.” The word “dilated” further classifies the disease (the heart walls become very thin), as opposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (where the heart walls thicken) and viral cardiomyopathy.
Dilated cardiomyopathy has become synonymous with heart disease in Dobermans and is a leading killer of our dogs. It is just one form of cardio in Dobermans, but by far the most common. Because of the poor prognosis for Dobermans it is believed by some to be at least somewhat different from that seen in other breeds, hence the term Dobermann DCM. The disease generally appears between the ages of 6–9 years; long after the dogs may have been bred. Unfortunately, the most common sign is sudden death.
Currently ultrasound and EKGs are the best tests available for early detection of this disease; DCM can not be diagnosed simply by listening to the heart. The limitation of ultrasound or any other available test is that it is good only for the moment – the dog may contract the disease days or weeks after the test and exhibit few, if any, symptoms. It is very important to talk to your prospective breeder about the ages and causes of death of the ancestors of their litter.
Cancer occurs quite often in Dobermans as it does in many breeds and, indeed, in humans. Research suggests that environmental pollutants and chemicals in food are major factors in the development and support of this group of diseases. While there may be many factors that seem to “cause” cancer, they don’t take effect unless the animal is in a weakened, susceptible condition.
So the key would seem to be prevention. The condition of the thymus gland and its associated lymphatic tissues and immunological functions is extremely important. The immune system will be strong if you can keep the dog in excellent health with good food, adequate exercise, access to fresh air and sunshine and in a stable emotional environment. Whereas a weaker animal might succumb to the effects of carcinogens, the strong one will more likely resist and detoxify them. So prevention is paramount. No drug or vaccine can ever take the place of good health.
Description
Wobblers syndrome is caused by a narrowing or malformation of the spinal cervical (neck) vertebrae which causes pressure on the spinal cord by the lower cervical (neck) vertebrae due to either a malformation of the vertebra or a malocclusion (when the vertebrae do not come together properly). This causes anywhere from a mild, to a severe affect in the dogs gait.. Other conditions can mimic the symptoms. The only definitive diagnosis of Wobblers Syndrome or Spondololithesis, is a mylogram where dye is injected into the spinal column and then the neck is flexed and x-rayed.
Breeds affected: Dobermans and Great Danes primarily - young Danes more commonly affected. Dobermans - young and old, can grow through the problem as youngsters, more commonly seen in middle aged to older Dobermans (3 to 9 years of age) Other breeds who have a similar if not identical syndrome described include the Boxer, Basset, Bull Mastiff, St. Bernard, Weimeraner, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Dalmatian, Samoyed, Old English Sheepdog, Irish Setter, and the Borzoi. Males are affected more often, in a ratio of 2:1.
Cause
The cause of Wobblers Syndrome is unknown, although a link to fast growth and genetics is suspected. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, "The cause is unknown, although rapid growth rates and nutrition, mechanical factors, and genetics may be implicated." Some breeders say that there has been a marked decrease in the incidence of not only Wobblers Syndrome, but other diseases that occur during the early, fast growth stages of Great Danes, when weight is kept down and growth rate has been slowed nutritionally.
Hypothyroidism is a common problem in Dobermans. This disease, where thyroid gland function slows or ceases, is easy and inexpensive to treat—but remember, this medication will have to be given for the rest of the dog’s life. To reduce the incidence of the disease in our breed, all breeding stock should be tested every couple of years and only thyroid normal dogs should be bred wherever possible. Pets don't need to be tested unless they exhibit some symptoms.
Symptoms can include a poor coat, lethargic attitude, overweight, heat-seeking behaviour, periodic bouts of diarrhea and reproductive problems. This condition usually manifests itself in older dogs; puppies or young dogs are seldom affected.
This disease can cause some Dobermans to have extended bleeding periods without clotting. We have a relatively new DNA test that will classify a Doberman’s genetic vWD status. This new test identifies whether a Dobermann is genetically Clear, Carrier or Affected. Clear indicates that the dog does not carry the defective gene. Carrier means the dog carries one copy of the defective gene; they clot normally. Affected dogs carry two copies of the defective gene. However, just because a dog is DNA affected does not mean it will have slow clotting times, only that it is at risk. Many “affected” Dobermans have no symptoms. Nevertheless, it is important to test the clotting status of these dogs; affected dogs with slow clotting times should not be used for breeding purposes. It appears that many of our Dobermans are either carrier or affected, but the number of affected dogs that have bleeding problems is very small.
Currently, VetGen and GeneSearch (U.S.) and Healthgene (Canada) do DNA testing for vWD. See the links page for web sites. A veterinarian is not required to take the samples; the dog owner can order the swabs, take cell samples from inside the mouth and mail the swabs back to the testing facility.
In Dobermans, the incidence of this disease is relatively low. To increase the likelihood of a puppy free of hip dysplasia, both parents should be OFA certified prior to breeding. When you realize that even certified clear dogs can still pass on this disease, certification becomes even more important. Hip dysplasia is polygenic (involves many different genes) and multifactorial (influenced by many non-genetic factors); unfortunately we don’t know yet how it is passed on.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) rates dogs free of this disease as either Fair, Good or Excellent. To receive certification, dogs must be two years of age or older when x-rayed. Each x-ray is examined and graded by three veterinary radiologists; these individual grades are the basis for the final rating. OFA is a semi-open registry, so the certification numbers are published and available to the general public. Certification numbers are in the form of DP9999G24F-T, where DP indicates Dobermann Pinscher, 9999 is the certification number, G (or F, E) is the rating, 24 indicates the age of the dog in months at the time the x-ray was taken, F (or M) indicates sex and the optional -T indicates that the dog is permanently identified, usually with a tattoo. Note: Effective 1-Jan-2001 the -T has been replaced with either a -PI (permanently identified with DNA profile, microchip or tattoo) or -NOPI, indicating that the dog is not permanently identified.
A relatively new test, the PennHip method, is also available — at present it is controversial and not widely recognized.
There are many heritable eye diseases; the incidence in Dobermans seems to be quite low. All breeding stock should have a relatively current CERF certification, which indicates the absence of specific heritable eye conditions.
The Canine Eye Registration Foundation currently provides yearly certification. Certification numbers are in the form of DP999/98-24, where DP indicates Dobermann Pinscher, 999 is the certification number, 98 is the year the test was done and 24 indicates the age of the dog in months when tested.
Depending on who you talk to, urinary incontinence is a common to infrequent problem in spayed Dobermann bitches. Ask your breeder about the frequency of the problem in their line. My own veterinarian has indicated that it's quite common in spayed bitches, period. There are several causes of incontinence—some needing surgical remedies—so be sure to consult your veterinarian to identify the cause prior to starting treatment.
Estrogen-responsive incontinence is typically treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen, although the high frequency of bone marrow toxicity is a concern. If DES is not effective or is contra-indicated, phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is often prescribed. Mixed results have been obtained with available natural and homeopathic remedies—consult your alternative vet.