Musculoskeletal

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

  • OCD is a disorder affecting cartilage at the end of a bone joint. It’s an inflammatory condition where the affected cartilage separates from the bone. It usually affects the shoulder joint but can also affect the elbow, hip, knee (stifle) or hock (tarsus). It typically presents in large dogs that grow rapidly between 6 and 9 months and affects males more commonly. It’s unknown what causes the disease, but it’s more common in dogs receiving too much energy, protein and calcium in their diet. Other factors are genetics, rapid growth, trauma, blood flow issues, and hormones.
  • There is surgery for the condition that is very successful, but it comes with a high cost and a prolonged recovery time
  • Affected Breeds: Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Skeletal Dysplasia 2 (SD2)

  • SD2 causes long bones to stop growing before they are fully developed. It results in shortened limbs, with the front limbs being more affected. It’s classified as a type of dwarfism, but it doesn’t affect the torso’s length or depth. Shortened stature is the only clinical sign of this condition.
  • Affected Breeds: American Cocker Spaniel, Australian Labradoodle, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cockapoo, English Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Sussex Spaniel

Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO)

  • CMO (also called Lion Jaw) is a bone disease that causes developmental changes in the skull and jaw bones. This presents as hard swelling and thickening on the jaw, so much so that the jaw cannot open properly. The dog will experience drooling, severe pain, tenderness and difficulty eating. Symptoms can be managed, but the inability to eat could cause malnutrition. Signs typically start between 4-8 months of age.
  • Affected Breeds: American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Shepherd, Biewer Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Miniature American Shepherd, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Parson Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Skye Terrier, Toy Australian Shepherd, West Highland White Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier.

Osteochondro-dysplasia (OC)

  • OC is a severe form of dwarfism resulting from abnormal bone and cartilage development. Signs show in puppies from 3 weeks old and affect growth and movement. Affected puppies are often euthanised due to severe joint stiffness. Although the stiffness lessens as the dog ages, their mobility may still be restricted due to the physical abnormalities. As they reach adulthood, they have an increased risk of osteoarthritis.
  • Affected Breeds: Australian Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle.

Chondrodysplasia (CDSL)

  • CDSL is a type of dwarfism that affects the way bones develop. It results in the dog’s limbs being noticeably shorter. Other symptoms may be bowed forearms, irregular toes and problems with the hip joint.
  • Affected breeds: Chinook, Jack Russell Terrier, Karelian Bear Dog, Norwegian Elkhound, Russell Terrier

Chondrodystrophy (CDDY with IVDD Risk)

  • CDDY with IVDD is defined by dogs with shortened bones, and premature degeneration and calcification (hardening) of the spinal discs. CDDY is caused by a mutation in the FGF4-12 gene. As this is a semi-dominant trait, it means dogs with 2 copies of the genes are smaller than dogs with one copy. This does mean dogs with one or two copies are predisposed to developing IVDD. This test also checks for Chondrodysplasia (CDPA), which is caused by the FGF4-18 gene, which causes the short leg trait in many breeds.
  • CDDY Affected Breeds: Chinook, Karelian Bear Dog, Norwegian Elkhound, Russel Terrier
  • CDPA Affected Breeds: Basset Hound, Bichon Frise, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested Dogs, Coton de Tulear, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Havanese, Jack Russell Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Longhaired Dachshund, Miniature Longhaired Dachshund, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund, Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund, Pekingese, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Portuguese Water Dog, Russel Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Shih Tzu, Smooth Haired Dachshund, Toy Poodle, Wirehaired Dachshund
  • CDDY with IVDD Affected Breeds: American Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bichon Frise, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested Dogs, Coton de Tulear, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, English Springer Spaniel, French Bulldog, Havanese, Jack Russell Terrier, Longhaired Dachshund, Miniature Longhaired Dachshund, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund, Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pekingese, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Portuguese Water Dog, Russel Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Shih Tzu, Smooth Collie, Smooth Haired Dachshund, Toy Poodle, Wirehaired Dachshund
Scroll to Top