The point of this piece is that there are two issues here to be explained. The first topic of “REPRODUCTION” involves the mating or coming together of a male and a female to create new life—in the context of our article—puppies. There is no qualifications or standards imposed on this “act”, as ANY male and female Doberman CAN be mated/bred to have a litter of puppies. The “bigger” question is *WHY*??
PRODUCING MORE PUPPIES in this critical time, the 21st CENTURY, where there are thousands of Dobermans in Shelters, Humane Societies and Rescues all over the Country seems a most inhumane and cruel thing to do. Having a litter of puppies should NEVER be to—-MAKE SOME SPENDING MONEY—LET THE “KIDS SEE HOW THE “BIRDS & BEES” OPERATE—-BECAUSE PUPPIES ARE SO CUTE—-BECAUSE ALL MY FRIENDS WANT ONE—because the result is that there are tiny, cute, innocent Doberman puppies being put to sleep EVERY DAY in this Country. This is not to mention the young adults, adults and seniors that are DUMPED. Some end up in POUNDS and on the STREETS to suffer, get maimed or abused.
**EVERY DOBERMAN PET PUPPY** SHOULD BE **SPAYED OR NEUTERED**—-WITHOUT EXCEPTION!
BREEDING BETTER DOBERMANS is the “goal” of *reputable, conscientious and careful* breeders that seek to breed for the “IDEAL” Doberman as described in the DOBERMAN STANDARD as approved by the DPCA and the American Kennel Club. Below is the site to access the “THE DOBERMAN STANDARD”.
The “Standard” describes HOW the Doberman should look physically, and it describes HOW the Doberman should act, temperament wise. Reputable breeders pay attention to HEALTH PROBLEMS and TEST for them. Hip Dysplasia, vWD, Thyroid, Cardiac Abnormalities and other concerns are *tested for* and screened for their appearance.
ONLY THE **VERY SUPERIOR SPECIMENS** of the Breed should be allowed to reproduce. We have many venues to *test* for PHYSICAL AND MENTAL QUALITIES. The prospective breeding stock can compete in the CONFORMATION venue for adherence to the “STANDARD” and be awarded CHAMPIONSHIP points, leading to an eventual CHAMPION title if good enough.
In the OBEDIENCE venue, the Doberman will be exhibited to show its ability to work closely with the owner/trainer to follow commands they have been trained to recognize, and be awarded titles that reward the various levels of achievement in the Dobermans trainability and mental intellect, such as COMPANION DOG, COMPANION DOG EXCELLENT AND HIGHER.
In the AGILITY venue, where Dobermans are taught to use their inborn talents of quickness, working ability and trainability to maneuver a designed course of obstacles to test their prowess, the Doberman is awarded titles that show the various levels of achievement such as NOVICE AGILITY AND MASTER AGILITY and higher. And many others that showcase the Dobermans skills, appearance and working abilities.
ONLY THE VERY SUPERIOR SPECIMENS OF DOBERMANS SHOULD BE BRED! ALL **PETS** SHOULD BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED FOR THEIR HEALTH AND THE BREEDS.
For more information on breeding and reproduction, visit the DPCA Breeders Education Committee
Vaccines in animals have come under attack recently with critics blaming adverse reactions and long-term health disorders on their wide-spread and frequent use. Bacteria, viruses and parasites are all organisms which constantly pose a threat to the canine body.
Like all species of organisms, the canine body is equipped with an elaborate system of defense, known as the immune system, designed to protect it from these infectious enemies.
Even in animals with normal immune function, invasion and damage can proceed at a rate faster than the immune system’s ability to destroy the invader. The dog may succumb to the disease before the immune system can get rid of the infection, or in cases where the infection is eliminated, death may still occur as a result of damage to the body.
The immune system responds much more rapidly if it encounters an organism that it has already battled and defeated. The theory that introducing just enough antigen into the body to produce an immune response without causing disease would protect the body from contracting the disease at a later time gave rise to the procedure of vaccinating. Therefore, “vaccination,” also known as “active immunization” refers to the procedure of administrating an antigen, resulting in protective immunity to the disease associated with that antigen.
CANINE DISTEMPER
Canine distemper is a disease that attacks the nervous system of a dog. It usually causes death and can affect dogs of all ages. Since puppies are the most common victims of this dreadful disease, the vaccination program every three weeks is designed to help prevent distemper. Distemper is a virus that can develop in to pneumonia as secondary bacterial infection takes over the body. The distemper virus attacks the brain within a few weeks and death or euthanasia is generally the outcome. Vaccinations are very effective in preventing this disease.
CANINE HEPATITIS
Canine Hepatitis is a viral disease which affects the liver. Fortunately, Hepatitis is rarely seen today due to the effectiveness of vaccinations. Most all distemper vaccines are combined with hepatitis vaccine to control this disease.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that usually affects the kidneys and other organs of the body. If the kidneys are affected the puppy usually dies. Leptospirosis, like hepatitis, is not seen often. The bacteria is most often carried in the urine of rats. The disease was seen more often in farm dogs that could be exposed to rat urine. Distemper vaccine does not always have leptospirosis vaccine included.
PARVOVIRUS
Parvovirus is an intestinal virus in dogs. The virus can remain in the area for months and can be transmitted on your shoes or other articles. Your dog does not have to be around a sick puppy to get parvo virus. The symptoms include depression, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. The treatment is aggressive supportive care with I.V. fluids and medicines for vomiting. Without proper veterinary care this disease is most often fatal. Vaccinations are generally very effective in preventing the disease. dogs over one year of age rarely will contract the disease, but vaccinations are recommended as an insurance that the disease will not strike your dog.
RABIES
Rabies is a scary disease that is spread mainly through the wild animal population in an area. The signs are foaming at the mouth and behavior uncommon to the animal. However, Rabies can be difficult to diagnose and any abnormal behavior in a dog should be viewed with suspicion. Vaccination for Rabies is a state law in all states.
PARASITES
Intestinal worm checks are tests done on a dog’s bowel movement to see if there are any worm eggs or parasites present in the dogs’ body. A few common parasites are hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, coccidia, tapeworms, and Giardia. Only two of the six worms can be seen without the aid of a microscope. Hookworms can be spread through a dog’s feces or can penetrate the dog’s skin, or travel through the milk to nursing puppies. They attach to a dog’s intestines to feed on the blood. Hookworms can cause major blood loss which is sometimes fatal to puppies. The baby stage of hookworms are called sandworms. These baby worms can penetrate the skin of people and migrate under the skin causing a human health hazard. Roundworms can be spread from mother to puppies or through soil that has eggs in it. They can cause bloated bellies and diarrhea and vomiting. Roundworms can be transmitted to people also and can cause some serious health problems relating to loss of sight. Whipworms can cause diarrhea, weight loss and dehydration. They are very hard to detect and also to eliminate. Whipworms do not lays eggs very often so they can be overlooked during the worm checks performed by a veterinarian. Coccidia are single celled organisms that infect the intestine. They are microscopic parasites detectable on routine fecal tests in the same way that worms are but coccidia are not worms and they are not visible to the naked eye. Coccidia infection causes a watery diarrhea which is sometimes bloody and can even be a life-threatening problem to an especially young or small pet. The adult tapeworm lives in the small intestine of the dog or cat. It is hooked onto the intestinal wall by a structure called a rostellum which is sort of like a hat with hooks on it. The tapeworm also has six rows of teeth to grab on with. Most people are confused about the size of a tapeworm because they only see its segments which are small; the entire tapeworm is usually 6 inches or more. The tapeworm absorbs nutrients through its skin as the food being digested by the host flows past it. Older segments are pushed toward the tip of the tail as new segments are produced by the neckpiece. By the time a segment has reached the end of the tail, only the reproductive tract is left. When the segment drops off, it is basically just a sac of tapeworm eggs. Giardia are parasitic protozoans (single celled organisms) found in the intestines of many animals. Clinical signs range from mild recurring diarrhea consisting of soft, light-colored stools, to acute explosive diarrhea in severe cases. Other signs associated with giardiasis are weight loss, listlessness, mucus in the stool, and anorexia.
FLEAS AND TICKS
These tiny pests can hop onto your dog unobserved to feed on its blood and lay eggs, producing yet another generation. Fleas can make life miserable for people and dogs alike, disrupting your household with a nasty cycle of biting and scratching and in some pets causing flea allergy dermatitis or anemia. The flea life cycle can be as short as a few weeks or can last several months – plenty of time to be mighty irritating to you and your dog. Dogs infested with fleas may become unusually nervous and agitated and will scratch excessively. Ticks attach to dogs to feed. You might not even notice these minute pests on your dog until the ticks have fed so much that they’ve become engorged. Worse yet, ticks may transmit diseases that can cause potentially serious dog-health problems. Talk to your veterinarian about the best way to remove ticks you find on your dog. You’ll also want to discuss how to protect your dog from ticks that may transmit potentially serious diseases.
HEARTWORM AND PREVENTION
Prevention of heartworm disease is very simple. Heartworm preventative for dogs is usually started between 2-3 months of age and the preventative is given once each month for life (a daily heartworm preventative is also available) Since heartworms are spread by mosquitoes which are prevalent in warm climates all year long, the preventative must be given all year in many southern climates. In some other areas of the United States the preventative only needs to be given 6-9 months of each year. Heartworms are the most life threatening parasite dogs can have. The microfilia (baby heartworms) are deposited in the dog’s body by a mosquito bite. These baby worms grow and move to the heart where the damage to your pet’s health is done. Symptoms of heartworms do not show up sometimes for years. but early tests performed by your veterinarian will diagnose the disease before much damage is done. Your dog should be on the medication for life with once yearly testing to make sure the preventative is doing it’s job.
For more information on vaccinations, parasites and infectious diseases, go to: Canine Infectious Diseases
Dancing Doberman Disease (DDD) can mimic many other conditions such as lumbosacral disc disease, cervical vertebral instability (CVI), inflammation of the spinal cord, spinal arthritis, cauda equina syndrome, some nervous system maladies, and spinal tumors. It is likely the condition is more prevalent than previously recognized because there is a general lack of awareness on the part of veterinarians and breeders, and therefore, the condition is often overlooked as a diagnosis.
The Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Ettinger and Feldman, 4th Edition, contains a description of this disease if you want to look it up at your library, or ask your veterinarian about it. A simple description would be that of a progressive disease, usually presenting with a holding up of one rear leg while standing. The age at onset can be anywhere from 4 months to 10 years. Both males and females are affected. Most affected dogs have normal findings on other tests, including blood counts, biochemistry, x-ray, and thyroid function. Over several months the condition progresses with a wasting of rear leg muscles, and a more constant shifting of weight on the rear legs to resemble a dog “dancing”, hence the name “Dancing Doberman Disease”. Frequently these dogs will knuckle over with their rear paws and ultimately prefer to sit or lie down rather than stand. The dogs show no sign of pain and are perfectly capable of running in the yard, chasing a ball or a squirrel, etc. Generally they live out their lives comfortably as pets although the condition is progressive, incurable, and at present, untreatable. It must be considered a genetic disease because it has never been reported in any mammal, let alone any dog breed other than the Doberman Pinscher.
Just because most breeders and many veterinarians are unaware of DDD doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Although it may not be wide-spread at this time, it represents a diagnostic conundrum because its symptoms are easily confused with other diseases stated above. Recognition that there is a condition known as DDD is important so that a proper diagnosis can be made. Accurate diagnosis of any disease is the key to treatment and prognosis and can only be made if there is an awareness of all possibilities.
Dr. Jan Steiss, in a grant funded by Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Doberman Pinscher Foundation of America, has completed the most recent research on DDD.
Chronic Active Hepatitus (CAH) is suspected in the presence of persistently elevated ALT values, definitively diagnosed by liver biopsy.
The incidence of occurence tends to be high in Doberman Pinschers, but it is also found in other breeds, most notably, Bedlington Terriers, and Golden Retrievers.
It is viewed as being a progressive inflammatory state that causes the liver to degenerate to the point of liver failure and death. We do not have a standard treatment, nor do we know the definitive cause. There are no studies that prove CAH is heritable. .Low fat, low protein diets can help, and some have used steroids with a degree of success. The steroids were originally given when researchers thought this was an autoimmue disease, because humans do have a form of autoimmune CAH, with similar histology results on biopsy. However, leading researchers in the field no longer view CAH as an autoimmune disease in the canine.
According to current research, there is usually a elevated level of copper found early on in the liver, but this seems to be a result of the disease, and not the cause. Removal of the copper does not cure CAH, but in the early stages copper chelation therapy may slow the progress of CAH.
During CAH, as the liver cells die, and they release a protein that causes the elevated ALT values. Scar tissue then replaces the dead liver cells. This effects the blood vessels that exit the liver. This is important because the liver is a major filtering organ for the body.
Symptoms usually show when at least half of the liver has been destroyed. The dog is usually sick by that point in time, and demonstrating the following clinical signs of CAH: vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice (yellow tinge to skin and whites of eyes), weight loss, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites).Genetic
The term “Wobblers Syndrome” is descriptive of the gait exhibited by dogs affected by CVI. However, an unstable or “wobbling” gait can be caused by a slipped disc, a misshapen or misaligned vertabrae, instability of the vertabrae, narrowing of the spinal canal, and other causes. All of these medical conditions affect the Dobermans ability to stand, move properly and to be pain free. The compression of the spinal cord then produces the awkward wobbling movement that gives this disease its call name. The primary disease condition lies in the bony structures that surround and normally guard & support the spinal cord.
In Doberman Pinschers, the majority of cases involve C5, C6, or C7. These are cervical or neck vertabrae. The front or the hind quarters of the dog can be affected, as can be the raising or lowering of the neck, or basically any part of the body. Dogs can “knuckle over” on their rear feet. Some have no neck pain, some exhibit neck pain upon manipulation.
Treatment usually starts with doses of corticosteroids and rest. Surgery is frequently prescribed for these dogs. Newer, less invasive, controversial therapies that have been used in some cases with some success, includes gold bead implantation, a special neck wrap, and accupuncture.
Diagnosis is usually via a procedure called a myelogram. The myelogram is a fairly invasive procedure, so one would be cautious and have it administered by *experienced* professionals, as the adverse effects of some myelogram can be as devastating, and in some cases worse than the original disease. An alternative, less invasive, imaging therapy is the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is now available through most large specialty veterinary practices.
The more severe the case, the less chance for the dog to recover. Once the dog has lost deep pain reflex, the chances of recovery are basically nil. Recovery from the various surgeries can take 3 to 10 months of crate rest, walking on leash, and feeding from an elevated source.
No one can say definitively what causes C.V.I. Conformation of the neck-shoulder tie in has been looked at, as has nutrition and dog foods, injuries, as well as heritability. There have been nutritional studies that show bone, and the spinal support system is bone, can be affected by adverse, inadequate, or
improper nutritional supplementation. However, Veterinarians usually see more of this disease in certain breeds, so this leads us to believe there must be some type of hereditary basis to this, perhaps with an environmental component.
Most DPCA Breeders will look backwards thru pedigrees with an eye to trying to reduce the risk of C.V.I. in future animals. This studying of the pedigrees, with an in depth knowledge of dogs present AND long past, is one reason why you want to go to a DPCA breeder for your Doberman Pinscher.
In Dobermans, hypothyroidism is usually always an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. The mode of transmission and heritability is unknown.
Diagnosis is by a blood test administered by a veterinarian. Michigan State University Veterinary School’s thyroid panel is generally regarded as the industry’s standard. Medication is given by prescription, and the amount is regulated by additional blood work. Usually T4 is given, and in some dogs T3 is also needed.
Some Dobermans who register in low- normal range will benefit from thyroid supplementation. Hypothyroidism is one of the more easily treated disorders.
Some of our Dobermans will get cancer during their lives. We don’t have a genetic test nor do we know the mode of inheritance for cancer.
This is a cause of grief for many owners and causes the early deaths of far too many of our beloved animals. If you find your Doberman is limping, has a growth, a wound that won’t heal or any unusual sign, the sooner you get to the vet’s office to
be examined the better.
Some owners choose to pursue aggressive chemotherapy for their Doberman. Others pursue herbal treatments. Early detection will, of course, help your odds as you and your veterinarian decide which course to choose.
Many Veterinary teaching hospitals have cancer treatment programs. The outcome can be more positive as it may have been in years past.
More info on cancer in your pet can be found at the following links:
In 1926 a Finnish physician, Dr von Willebrand, discovered a clotting disorder. His primary research led to the discovery of a deficiency of a particular protein (the carrier protein for factor VIII), which was responsible for this clotting disorder. He discovered that though there seemed to be enough platelets, they were not ‘sticky’ enough to initiate clotting normally.
Von Willebrands is a bleeding disease. It is not sex linked, and is found in one form or another in over 30 breeds of dogs. It is not hemophilia but it’s the most commonly inherited bleeding disease of both people and animals. It is only one of many reasons that can cause abnormal bleeding in dogs. For many years it was a mystery why the disease was much milder in some breeds than in others (the Doberman an example of a mild form of the disease, the Scottish Terrier and example of the severe form of the disease). It is now understood that the mutation in the Von Willebrand’s factor gene in the Doberman causes faulty production 90 to 95% of the time, but 5 to 10% of the time the factor produced is normal and fully functional. As there are two genes for the factor, even with two of the mutant genes most Dobermans will produce 10-20% normal factor (and 80-90% non-functional factor). Under normal circumstances, this amount of factor is sufficient for normal clotting. In times of stress, or with major blood loss during surgery or as a result of trauma the disease may become clinically apparent with inability to clot. In other breeds such as the Scottish terrier, the mutation is more severe resulting in an almost complete absence of the factor, and in this breed a genetically affected dog is clinically affected as well.
In the past the ELISA test, which measures levels of the factor was the only diagnositic tool to differentiate between clear, carrier and affected Dobermans. This test was not very reliable, as there is much overlap in the amount of factor production between these groups of Dobermans. With great thanks to the research team headed by the University of Michigan geneticist Dr George Brewer, a joint effort between VetGen, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan developed a genetic test for this disease. Grant moneys donated from the DPCA, the Orthopedic Foundation of America, the Morris Animal Foundation, the DPFA, and the American Kennel Club made this possible. Now dogs may be definitively classified as clear, carriers, or affected by direct analysis for the actual genes.
In studies of healthy Dobermans, 35% are genetically affected (two copies of the mutant gene), 50% are carriers (one copy of the mutant gene) and 15% are clear (no copies of the mutant gene). Most Dobermans who are genetically affected will never have a bleeding problem. However, as times of stress or surgery may lead to bleeding problems, you may, as an educated Doberman Pinscher owner, opt to test your dog. One might request the vet keep desomepressin, and at times of scheduled surgery fresh frozen plasma, or cryoprecipitate (clotting factors) on hand, in case of emergency.
While most affected Dobermans may never show a sign of vWd, others may hemorrhage from the nose, gums, cuts, or genitals, etc… This usually comes after some minor type of injury. Some affected dogs go through protracted bruising/bleeding after a routine spay/neuter situation. Why some genetically affected Dobermans are clinically affected, while most are not, is not clear.
Cases of Dobermans having bled to death, due to von Willebrands, have been reported, although this usually occurs after some type of trauma. Most genetically affected Dobermans have injuries, and surgeries, without ANY complications. Some, years later have their first bleeding episode after a minor incident. Mostaffected Dobermans never have a bleeding problem. There are many other known, and some *unknown*, factors involved in bleeding situations. Stress is one, and there has also been some association between hypothyroidism and vWd bleeding episodes.
Many owners, and even some veterinarians become panicked at irregularities found in a Doberman, due to not being informed of the latest medical information. If a Doberman bleeds? Many will assume that it is automatically a vWd episode. So, this is why one would want to do the simple genetic test for vWd as soon as one obtains a Doberman. Knowledge is power.
A Doberman Pinscher who bleeds should NOT automatically be put down.
Some breeders will breed only clear to clear. However, our Doberman gene pool is already small and currently only 15% of the population tests clear. If we highly limited our accessible breeding stock, other problems will emerge as there are many genetic diseases affecting this, and other purebred breeds. vWD status is one of many factors considered when breeding. Further recommendations for use of vWD testing in breeding decisions can be found on the VetGen website.
Pathophysiology Literally, hip dysplasia (CHD), means”badly formed hip”. In order to understand this complex problem it is first necessary to understand the anatomy of the canine hip. This ball and socket joint consists of two basic parts – the acetabulum and the femur. The femur, or thigh bone, consists of the head (the ball) and the neck (the part of the femur that joins the long shaft of the bone to the head). The acetabulum forms the socket part of the joint and it is into this socket that the head of the femur rests.
In unaffected dogs there is a good fit between ball and socket. An easy way to think about it is to imagine a tennis ball and a cup. If you put the ball into the cup there is a good fit. If you put the ball into a saucer, it will roll around loosely.
This poor fit between femoral head and acetabulum is characteristic of dysplastic dogs. CHD can also be diagnosed if the femoral neck is shortened or if there is an improper angle between the femoral head and the long axis of the femoral neck (Cargill and Thorpe-Vargus, 11/95).
The hip joint is strengthened by a ligament going directly from the femoral head into and attaching to the acetabulum. The joint is surrounded by the joint capsule – a thick band of connective tissue. (Foster and Smith)
Dogs are not born with CHD. As puppies grow, laxity of the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint and the poor fit between the bones produces excess movement of the acetabulum. The separation between the bones is called subluxation, and at its most severe it can become a total dislocation (the head of the femur leaves the acetabulum). The surfaces of the bones start out completely smooth, but with CHD there begin to be changes (remodeling). Bone rubbing against bone causes an irritation which results in irregular bone growth and wear on the articular surfaces. These irregular surfaces result in Osteoarthritis which can cause significant pain. As the bone of the acetabular rim is ground away, it becomes shallower and it is now more difficult to keep the head of the femur properly seated.
Outward signs of hip dysplasia can range from none to severe pain. Gait (movement) may or may not be affected. Some outward signs that MAY be seen in affected dogs are:
Difficulty getting up from a lying or sitting position or in climbing stairs.
A bunny hop gait (moving both rear legs together).
A painful reaction to extension of the rear legs.
Pushing on the rump may cause the pelvis to drop.
When rolled over, some affected dogs will resist having their legs spread into a frog-leg position.
A side to side sway of the croup
Dogs may resist jumping
Lameness may be seen especially after strenuous exercise.
It is very important to understand that the only way to accurately diagnose CHD is through X-rays. The above symptoms may also be seen in dogs with normal hips and affected dogs may display none of these symptoms at all.
Diagnosis
As stated above, the only way to conclusively diagnose CHD is through x-rays of the hip joint. Positioning of the dog is very important if the films are to be read correctly. It is wise to find a practitioner who is experienced in correct positioning when seeking evaluation. The are currently two main methods for evaluating hips in use in the U.S. It is beyond the scope of this article to evaluate the merits and drawbacks of these methods, so only a brief description will be given.. Anyone planning to begin a breeding program, or wishing to improve hips in a current program, is encouraged to study both in more depth.
The Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA) is a non-profit organization which uses board certified radiologists to evaluate submitted x-rays. After the age of two years, dogs whose films do not, in the view of at least two of the three evaluators, indicate the presence of CHD are assigned an OFA number and rated either excellent, good or fair. Hips felt to be dysplastic are rated mild, moderate or severe. There is also an
option for the evaluator to state that the films are inconclusive at this time. Preliminary ratings are given for dogs under the age of two. These plates are read by only one evaluator (Carricato, 1992).
The OFA number consists of several parts. A typical number might look like this:
GR-37961G24F-T
The “GR” is the OFA abbreviation for Golden Retriever. The number 37961 means that this dog is the 37961th G.R. to be given a number. The “G” stands for a rating of Good (E would mean excellent, F- fair). T he 24 is the age, in months, at the time of x-ray. The “F” means female and the “-T” indicates the dog was tattooed.
Positioning for an OFA x-ray requires that the dog must be flat on its back with the femurs extended parallel to each other and the knees rotated slightly inward. Dogs can be restrained chemically (anesthesia or sedation) or mechanically (strapped down). The average OFA x-ray costs around $80- $100. The registration fee to the OFA is now $25.00
The second type of evaluation currently being used is the PennHip® method of measuring passive hip laxity, thought to be a predicting factor for CHD. This method uses a technique called “compression/distraction” In this procedure the hips are compressed to determine where the center of the femoral head and the acetabulum coincide. The hips are then distracted using a special device and the distance that the head can be moved away from the center is measured. This measurement is called the distraction index or DI. The DI will range from 0 to 1. Through research, PennHip® developers have postulated that a DI of .03 or lower indicates that the animal is negative for CHD. A DI of .07 or above is associated with a greater incidence of degenerative hip disease. Between .03 and .07 is a gray area. It is also important to consider the average for the breed when making breeding decisions using this method. Breeding animals with DI€™s below the breed average will, according to PennHip® proponents, gradually decrease the hip laxity of the bred and with it, the incidence of CHD.
Although this new method shows promise, an OFA number is still considered the standard clearance. Responsible breeders will obtain an OFA number before breeding an animal. Some breeders will also, as availability permits, obtain a DI before breeding. A Penn-Hip® procedure is usually more costly that an OFA x-ray (approx. $150.00).
Prevention
CHD is a inherited trait that is influenced by several genes (polygenic). It is not caused by any environmental factors, but environment can influence the expression of the disease (Corley, Willis, Cargill/Thorpe-Vargeson, Carricato). In other words, how you raise your puppy won€™t determine whether or not he is dysplastic, but it can affect when and perhaps if, he begins to develop symptoms. Some common factors which have been proposed to worsen, but not cause, CHD are:
Rough play, jumping, climbing stairs or slick floors.
excess weight gain or rapid growth.
calcium supplementation (may increase the bone remodeling).
Forced running for any distance, especially on tarmac, asphalt or other hard surfaces.
Therefore it makes sense to keep puppies lean, avoid any type of forced exercise or very rough play and provide surfaces that allow for good traction.
The OFA recommends the following guidelines to decrease the incidence of CHD in a breeding program:
1. Breed normal to normal
2. Breed normals with normal ancestry
3. Breed normals from litters with low incidence of CHD
4. Select sire that produces a low incidence of CHD
When deciding to breed or to purchase a puppy it is wise to look at the hip clearances of not only the parents, but the brothers and sisters, grandparents and other offspring of the parents. Having mostly OFA clear relatives on both sides is thought to increase the chances of the litter having clear hips.
Treatment: Non-surgical
Non-surgical treatment attempts to improve function and reduce pain and inflammation. Drugs that can produce these results are aspirin, phenylbutazone (“bute”), NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflamatories) and steroids. Be aware that all three drugs can produce significant side effects and should be used with caution, if at all, under the supervision of a veterinarian. Other products that have shown promising results are glycoaminoglycans such as Adequan, Cosequin and Glycoflex. Adequan is an injectable drug. Glycoflex and Cosequin are both given orally. Vitamin C can also be effective in reducing inflammation (Corley). Some people have also reported success with herbal medicines. Exercise restriction is also sometimes
recommended (Carricato). An ideal type of exercise for dysplastic dogs is swimming which allows exercise without stressing the joints.
Surgical Treatment
Several surgical procedures exist to treat CHD. Each procedure has pros and cons associated with it. Furthermore, different surgeons may have more experience and therefore be more skilled with a particular type of surgery. A second opinion before surgery may be helpful.
Surgery is indicated when:
non-surgical management has failed to reduce pain or restore function.
surgery will correct current problems
surgery will prevent or slow the progress of further problems (Cargill, Thorpe-Vargeson)
Factors that will be considered in selecting a type of surgery to be performed should include:
Age and weight of the animal
Complicating factors such as extensive bone remodeling or osteoarthritis
Function of the dog (i.e. is the dog a working dog, required to perform strenuous activity or is he primarily a sedentary pet).
Types of Surgery:
Before advanced remodeling of the joint has taken place the most often recommended surgical treatment for CHD is the triple pelvic ostomy or TPO. This procedure must be done before the acetabulum has been worn down and therefore us usually recommended for young dogs (under 9 months of age) who have clinically diagnosed subluxations. The surgery involves cutting the pelvis in three places and then tilting the bone to a more favorable angle to keep the femoral head in place. A somewhat similar option is the inter- trochanteric osteotomy, which changes the length and angle of the femoral head. Both procedures are aimed at improving the fit between femur and acetabulum (Cargill, Thorpe-Vargas). Approximate costs for these procedures average around $800.00 to $1000.00 per hip. After a TPO the dog must be kept on crate rest for several weeks to allow the healing process to occur.
If there is already extensive damage to the joint other options include the shelf arthroplasty or BOP procedure, the femoral head and neck excision or a total hip replacement. The shelf procedure seeks to extend the rim of the joint, thus improving stability. This option has been criticized because it does not halt the progression of a rthritic changes, thus the animal may continue to have worsening pain (Cargill, Thorp-Vargas).
The femoral head and neck excision involves removing both the head and neck of the femur. A “sling” of muscles are then used to support and cushion the femoral shaft. This procedure has the best chance for success in dogs weighing less than 50 lbs. Because the bone is shortened, the gait will be affected. This should be considered an end-stage salvage procedure, but costs are usually much lower than other types of surgery.
A total hip replacement involves replacing the head and neck of the femur and the acetabulum with prosthetics. Indications for this radical type of surgery are:
Osteoarthritis associated with CHD
Failed head and neck excisions
Irreparable head and neck fractures
Non-reducible chronic hip luxations
avascular necrosis of the femoral head
and repair of a failed total hip arthroplasty (Cargill, Thorpe-Vargas)
The procedure should be done after the dog has reached adult growth. It is quite costly (averaging around $1500.00 per hip), but the prosthesis can be expected to last for the life of the dog and the dog can bear weight very soon after the surgery. As with any orthopedic surgery, infection can pose a serious threat to the recovery and usually antibiotics are prescribed during convalescence.
In conclusion, if you suspect your dog may have dysplastic hips or you are planning to breed, arrange for an x-ray to be taken. If CHD is diagnosed YOUR PET SHOULD BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED!!! You should also notify the breeder of your dog so that he/she can use that information to take steps to improve the breeding program that produced the problem.
Biography
Cargill, J.C. & Thorpe-Vargas, S.” Predicting the abnormal hip”, Dog World. September, 1995. 26-31.
Cargill, J.C. & Thorpe-Vargas, S. “Surgical Management of Canine Hip Dysplasia” Dog World. November, 1995. 20-25
Cargill, J.C. & Thorpe-Vargas, S. “Operations: Two viable options”, Dog World. December, 1995. 22-25.
Carricato, A. M. (1992). Veterinary Notes for Dog Breeders. Howell Book House, New York.
Corley, E.A. OFA seminar, 9/95.
Foster, R. & Smith, M. “Hip dysplasia”. Pet Pause. 1996. Dr€™s Foster & Smith Inc.1-3.
Willis, M.B. 1989. Genetics of the Dog. Howell Book House, New York.
A special thanks to Ann Greenbank, DVM for reviewing this article.
Any mistakes or inaccuracies are entirely my own.
Cardiomyopathy is a non-specific term meaning diseased heart muscle. There are several different types of cardiomyopathy; for example, one type is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy where the muscle of the heart thickens and the internal chambers of the heart are small due to encroachment of the excess muscle. In contrast, with dilated cardiomyopathy the muscular heart is actually thinned from stretching to accommodate abnormally large, dilated heart chambers. While in other species and in other breeds of dogs there are many
causes of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), in the Doberman the disease is primary, a genetic predisposition, not caused by other medical problems. The primary problem in Doberman DCM is within the heart muscle cell, an inability to contract normally which leads to abnormal function of the heart. To compensate for the poor contractile ability the heart dilates increasing the chamber size which in the early stages of disease will improve output of the heart (stroke volume). At this time the disease is in the asymptomatic or occult stage. However, with further progression of disease, there comes a time when further dilation of the heart no longer improves stroke volume but in fact leads to increasing pressure within the heart (heart failure). This in turn causes a back up of blood in the blood vessels in the lungs and in turn causes fluid to leak out into the lungs leading to difficulty breathing, and eventually death. Another potential cause of death with Doberman DCM is arrhythmias. With the abnormal stretching of the heart electrical abnormalities can occur, some are of a benign nature but may aid in early detection of disease, but malignant forms can occur leading to sudden death.
Diagnosis of DCM
Overt disease: When the disease is in the symptomatic or overt stage, diagnosis is not difficult. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, coughing, poor appetite and weight loss, fainting episodes. Physical examination will reveal a heart murmur, a gallop (an extra heart sound which indicates heart failure) and often irregular beats. Chest X-ray will show an enlarged heart and fluid in the lungs. Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) will show a dilated left ventricle and atrium, with poor function and mitral valve insufficiency (leaking of the valve). Occult disease: When the disease is in an asymptomatic or occult stage, the diagnosis maybe suspected by testing, but at this date these criteria are not uniform from center to center. Echocardiography of healthy Dobermans recently studied at the UDC nationals and it was found that the average fractional shortening of these healthy dogs was 26% using a short axis view, and 22.5% using a long axis view. In other breeds a fractional shortening of 25% or less in the short axis view is considered abnormal. This either indicates that a large percentage of healthy Dobermans have occult DCM or that the Doberman heart at baseline is not comparable to that of most breeds. As such, to diagnose occult DCM, most centers now require not only a depressed fractional shortening, but some evidence of functional impairment such as dilated heart chambers or frequent ventricular arrhythmias. While diagnostic criteria may vary from center to center, the largest ongoing study is being performed by Dr. Michael O’Grady at the University of Guelph, and his criteria are the best defined and studied to date. To diagnose occult DCM, Dr. O’Grady requires the following echocardiographic findings, measured in the parasternal long axis view/ A fractional shortening of less than 20% with the following left ventricular chamber measurements: greater than 49 mm at the end of diastole (when the ventricle is completely filled), greater than 42 mm at the end of systole (when the ventricle has completed emptying). This diagnosis is collaborated by a progression of 3-5 mm since a prior examination. Alternatively, the diagnosis can be suspected by frequent ventricular arrhythmia €“ the criteria currently in use by Dr. O’Grady is greater than 50 PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) per hour, however this study is on-going. This is measured by a Holter monitor, which is and ECG running continuously for a 24 hour period.
Treatment of DCM
Overt disease: Once heart failure has occurred, treatment is symptomatic and palliative. Life expectancy is limited, generally less than six months. Treatment usually consists of diuretics to rid the lungs of fluid and an angiotensin converting exzyme (ACE) inhibitor to decrease the workload of the failing heart. Some veterinary cardiologists also use digoxin to attempt to increase the contractility of the heart muscle, others do not believe it is helpful in this setting. If the dog has an arrhythmia than a drug will be used specifically for this purpose, there are several different types of drugs which may be chosen. A newer medication, Pimobendan (increases contractility of the heart and decreases workload) is currently undergoing trials. While nutritional supplements such as L-carnitine, co-enzyme Q are sometimes recommended, there is no scientific evidence that these are helpful in treatment of Doberman DCM. Occult disease: There is some evidence that treatment with ACE inhibitors in the asymptomatic or occult stage will slow progression of the disease, prolonging life and time until the onset of symptomatic disease.
Prevention of DCM
The cause of this disease is unknown. Many theories (such as carnitine or taurine deficiency) have been tested with no positive results. It is likely a heritable disease but the mode of genetic transmission is still unknown. There is not known preventative strategy for Doberman DCM. The best strategy for an individual Doberman is to have annual cardiac screening to diagnose the disease in its early occult stage. With diagnosis treatment with ACE inhibitors will not only prolong life but improve the quality of life.
Do dogs have inherited diseases? Over 350 inherited diseases have been recognized in dogs. Many are restricted to particular breeds but others such as hip dysplasia occur in a wide range of breeds. The different diseases affect almost every part of the dog’s body including eyes, heart, skeleton, liver and skin.
The genes responsible for inherited disease are found in the complex DNA molecule which is the genetic blueprint for every individual. Over the last five to ten years scientists have begun to identify individual genes and DNA-based technology has been developed to test animals for the presence of disease-causing genes. At the moment there are only a few tests available, but tests for many more of the common inherited disorders will become available in the future.
Unfortunately there are many underlying health conditions AND genetic problems that can appear in the Doberman.
For more information on canine genetics, go to:
