GENETIC & SUSPECT GENETIC HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THE DOBERMANN

These health conditions have been identified in the Dobermann. Items marked with asterisks (***) can be identified through testing.  Screening tests are not currently available for the other conditions listed.

The information below is intended as an aid to those seeking health information and should not be used to form a diagnosis replacing regular veterinary care by one’s own Veterinarian.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is suspected to be an inherited disease in Dobermanns. Research is in progress in several institutions. An echocardiogram of the heart will confirm the disease but WILL not guarantee that the disease will not develop in the future.

Hip Dysplasia ***

Hip dysplasia is inherited. It may vary from slightly poor conformation to malformation of the hip joint allowing complete luxation of the femoral head. Both parents’ hips should be OFA certified – excellent, good or fair rating.

Hypothyroidism ***

Hypothyroidism is probably inherited and means that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone to adequately maintain the dog’s metabolism. It is easily treated with thyroid replacement pills on a daily basis. Thyroid testing (T3, T4, TSH and autoantibodies) should be performed on an annual schedule. Finding autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (T4 autoantibodies) is an indication that the dog has “Hashimoto’s Disease”. Low thyroid dogs, manifested by a high TSH and a low T4, should be treated and monitored on a regular basis.

vWd (Von Willebrand’s Disease) ***

Von Willebrand’s Disease or more commonly known as vWd  is an autosomally (not sex linked) inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. Von Willebrand’s factor antigens of 70% 180% are considered to be within the normal range for Dobermanns. When dogs are tested through the Elisa assay blood test for vWD, they are tested for carrier status only NOT the disease. It is believed that carrier status tests (Elisa assay) are inaccurate if a dog is ill, received any medication or vaccination within 14 days of testing, pregnancy, bitches in heat or lactation. Stress conditions (infections, parasites, hormonal changes, trauma, surgery, emotional upset, etc.) may have an effect on the outcome of the vWD blood test and might be a contributing factor for bleeding tendencies. vWD carrier status is quite common in Dobermanns. A DNA test for vWD is now available – genetically: clear, carrier (inherited one disease gene), affected (inherited two disease genes) – results are not effected by stress conditions, etc.

Wobbler’s Syndrome

Wobblers is suspected to be an inherited condition in Dobermanns. Dogs suffer from spinal cord compression caused by cervical vertebral instability or from a malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the limbs (front, hind or all four). Neck pain with extension and flexion may or may not be present. Surgical therapy is hotly debated and in some surgically treated cases, clinical recurrence has been identified.