Genetic abnormalities and diseases are quite common among cats dogs, especially purebreds. This is due to inbreeding (crossbreeding of individuals of the same breed, often related). Most diseases are recessive, that is, when crossing cats or dogs of different breeds, they never manifest themselves, but in representatives of the same family, they will manifest themselves with a high probability, therefore, if any individual is suspected of having a gene mutation, it is excluded from breeding.
In This Article:
Common facts about genetic diseases
A genetic disease is most often caused by the inheritance of a modified gene, but sometimes a mutation can also occur under the influence of toxic drinks or food, or poor ecology. In order to keep in mind important information about the risks, it is important to know what breed your pet belongs to. There is a special DNA test for cats and dogs in the world that will help determine who your animal’s ancestors are and know what examinations in a veterinary clinic should be done more often. Some hereditary diseases do not manifest themselves from birth, they need time to develop. In other cases, if there is a mutant gene, the disease can develop only in the presence of unfavorable factors, and until that moment the animal will be absolutely healthy.
Some diseases are sex-linked. Some of them are also linked to other gene pathologies. For example, hip dysplasia can be accompanied by muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, and osteochondrosis of the femur and radius.
There are more than 50 types of gene mutations and a huge number of diseases themselves, and it is quite difficult to cover them all in one article, so it is worth paying attention to the most common and breed-dependent cat and dog.
Genetic pathologies in some breeds
Dogs
Boxer. Aortic stenosis or narrowing is a fairly common pathology. Dilated cardiomyopathy. Cryptorchidism is often found in many dog breeds, in addition to boxers. Sensory neuropathy of boxers – despite the name of the disease, it also affects dogs of many breeds.
Doberman. Dilated cardiomyopathy or isolated dilation of one of the ventricles. Shershevsky-Turner syndrome – phenotypically or externally, bitches are no different from healthy ones, but in reality, they do not have estrus and the ability to reproduce offspring, due to the fact that their genotype contains one pair of chromosomes less. Gelineau’s disease or narcolepsy – increased sleepiness during the day and sometimes short-term paralysis upon awakening. Deafness. Kidney diseases of varying severity.
Yorkshire Terrier. Patent ductus arteriosus, a defective mitral valve that eventually leads to heart failure. Melanosis of the skin – excessive formation of pigment spots. Excessive formation of kidney stones, mainly urates. Also cryptorchidism.
Cocker. Stenosis or narrowing of the pulmonary artery. Seborrhea of all types: dry, oily, and mixed. Hypotrichosis – complete or partial baldness. Hemophilia or blood clotting disorder. Cataract. Various kidney pathologies, and hermaphroditism.
Pug. Lentigo is not associated with age or iatrogenic effects. Corneal lesions – ulcers. A chondrodysplasia is a developmental disorder of the cartilaginous tissue of the limbs, in which the limbs appear shortened since the development of the spine is not impaired. Genetic dwarfism. Hermaphroditism.
Cats
Bengals. Bengals are a fairly new breed that first appeared as a result of crossing an Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat. Bengals are prone to diseases and ailments such as glaucoma, cataracts, entropion, kidney disease, and cysts.
Beautiful cats with blue eyes and long, silky gray fur, ragdolls frequently have tiny stripes on their ears, paws, and snout. They require ongoing attention due to their lengthy fur. The three most prevalent in Ragdolls are polycystic kidney disease (PKD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and hypothyroidism.
Generally speaking, British Shorthair cats are healthy, but they are susceptible to polycystic kidney disease. This breed was originally bred from Persian cats, which is how the sickness was spread. Also, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is more common in the British.
Conclusion
Genetic diseases in dogs and cats are influenced by inbreeding and can vary significantly by breed. Understanding your pet’s breed and utilizing DNA tests can help identify potential risks, enabling timely preventive care and targeted veterinary examinations.
