Breed-related disease: Somali cat
John K Rosembert The Somali cat is often described as a long-haired African cat; a product of a recessive gene in Abyssinian cats, though how the gene was introduced into the Abyssinian gene pool is unknown. It is believed that they originated from Somalia, long lost cousin of the Abyssinian cat; which has origins in Ethiopia. If one judged by appearance, the Somali appears feral, but one look into its eyes and it is clear that this cat has a lot more going on in its head than the average cat. The Somali is so well known for its alertness that the standards for the breed include “alert” in the physical description. The eyes are almond-shaped, and may be green or copper-gold. In size, the Somali is medium to large, muscular and well proportioned, and like its forbearer the Abyssinian, the Somali is elegant yet solidly built. It is a slow developing breed, reaching its full size, maturity, and potential around 18 months. The hair is agouti, or ticked, with anywhere from 4-20 bands of color on each strand. The standard colors for the Somali are red, blue, ruddy, or fawn, but this breed is born in a lot of other colors as well. Silver is one of the colors gaining popularity, for example. The Somali is an active cat who loves to jump and play. In spite of that, she is an easy cat to have in your home. Somalis love people and other animals. Somalis are social cats and like to have some company. This company can be provided by another cat or when people are not at home. The Somali is loving and affectionate and loves to spend time with her parent. While the Somali is a long haired cat, the coat is easy to care for since it is not woolly. A daily brushing as part of play time will keep the Somali’s coat soft and silky. She will reward her groomer with a loving purr. Somalis are active cats and generally will keep their weight under control with compensating exercise. They should have some high perches and cat trees available so they can jump and climb. Some Somalis, like some Abyssinians, can develop a hereditary health issue called pyruvate kinase deficiency that can be a concern, especially if you aren’t cautious about who you buy from. Pyruvate kinase is a key regulatory enzyme in the metabolism of sugar. Cats deficient in PK typically have intermittent anemia. The deficiency can appear in Somalis as young as 6 months and as old as 12 years. The hereditary condition is caused by a recessive gene. A DNA test is available to determine whether a cat is normal, a carrier or affected by PK deficiency. Testing for PK deficiency and breeding away from it will eventually help to eliminate the disease from the breed. Not every PK-deficient cat develops clinical signs, which vary but include lethargy, depression, lack of appetite, and pale gums. The best treatment for PK deficiency is unknown, but it’s still a good idea to have a Somali tested for it. Other problems that may be seen in the breed include a disorder called renal amyloidosis, a neuromuscular condition called myasthenia gravis, and an eye disease called progressive retinal atrophy, which eventually leads to blindness. Source: https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/somali http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/somali#health Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_cat#/media/File:Blue_Somali_kitten_age_3_months.jpg
Breed-related disease: Irish Setter
The Irish Setter is a setter, a breed of gundog, and a family dog. The term Irish Setter is commonly used to encompass the show-bred dog recognized by the American Kennel Club as well as the field-bred Red Setter recognized by the Field Dog Stud Book. It’s not surprising that this handsome redhead comes from Ireland, which is famous for fine and beautiful dogs. The Irish Setter appears to have been developed there in the 18th century, probably the result of combining English Setters, spaniels, pointers, and Gordon Setters. Those first Irish Setters were sometimes called red spaniels — a clue to their heritage, perhaps — or modder rhu, Gaelic for “red dog.” Often, they were white and red instead of the solid dark red we see today. Some, described as “shower of hail” dogs, had red coats sprinkled with small white spots. The Irish Earl of Enniskillen may have started the fad for solid red dogs. By 1812, he would have no other kind in his kennels. Here are some of the most common diseases for Irish Setter Bloat Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, also known as GDV or Bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Setter is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off blood supply to the stomach, and sometimes the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as 30 minutes. Your dog may retch or heave (but little or nothing comes out), act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position (front feet down, rear end up). Allergies In humans, an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust makes people sneeze and their eyes itch. In dogs, rather than sneeze, allergies make their skin itchy. We call this skin allergy “atopy”, and Setters often have it. Commonly, the feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs. Neurologic Problems Several neurologic diseases can afflict Irish Setters. Symptoms of neurological problems can include seizures, imbalance, tremors, weakness, or excess sleeping. A genetically linked neurological condition that could occur in your Irish setter causes a wobbly, drunken gait. This condition, known as wobbler disease or wobbler syndrome, happens because there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, which pinches the spinal cord and associated nerves. There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Reactive seizures are caused by the brain’s reaction to a metabolic problem like low blood sugar, organ failure, or a toxin. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called primary, or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, with Irish Setters commonly afflicted. If your friend is prone to seizures, they will usually begin between six months and three years of age. Bleeding Disorders There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders which occur in dogs. They range in severity from very mild to very severe. Many times a pet seems normal until a serious injury occurs or surgery is performed, and then severe bleeding can result. Irish Setters are particularly prone to some relatively rare diseases of the blood. Source: https://douglasanimalhospital.com/client-resources/breed-info/irish-setter/ Photo credit : https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/irishsetter.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Setter
Breed-related disease: Cornish Rex
A Cornish Rex is a breed of domestic cat. The Cornish Rex has no hair except for down. Most breeds of cat have three different types of hair in their coats: the outer fur or “guard hairs”, a middle layer called the “awn hair”; and the down hair or undercoat, which is very fine and about 1 cm long. Cornish Rexes only have the undercoat. They are prone to hair loss and many will develop a very thin coat or even go bald over large parts of their body. The curl in their fur is caused by a different mutation and gene than that of the Devon Rex. The breed originated in Cornwall, Great Britain. The Cornish Rex is an athletic cat and will maintain her ideal weight if provided with enough space for exercise. Thanks to the close-lying nature of the coat, you can easily tell if a Cornish is getting too heavy. The Cornish Rex is agile and loves to jump, run, and play. When she is playing, she can appear to be inexhaustible. She should have interactive exercises as well. The Cornish Rex becomes involved with her parent. She loves to be right next to her parent and must have some time together every day. Many Cornish Rex will do anything to be with their parents and will even learn to walk on a lead in order to spend more time together. In general, they love being handled by their parents. Here are some health issues your Cornish Rex is prone at: Arterial Thromboembolism Cats with heart disease may develop blood clots in their arteries known as FATE (feline aortic thromboembolisms). Blood clots most commonly become lodged just past the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood from the heart to the body, blocking normal blood flow to the hind legs. When this happens, one or both hind legs may become paralyzed, cold, or painful. Blood Type Although we hate to think of the worst happening to our pets, when disaster strikes, it’s best to be prepared. One of the most effective life-saving treatments available in emergency medicine today is the use of blood transfusions. If your cat is ever critically ill or injured and in need of a blood transfusion, the quicker the procedure is started, the better the pet’s chance of survival. Patellar Luxation The stifle, or knee joint, is a remarkable structure that allows a cat to perform amazing feats of agility like crouching, jumping, and pouncing. One of the main components of the stifle is the patella or kneecap, and the medical term luxation means “being out of place”. Thus, a luxating patella is a kneecap that slips off to the side of the leg because of an improperly developed stifle. A cat with a luxating patella may not show signs of pain or abnormality until the condition is well advanced; signs of this condition appear gradually and can progress to lameness as the cat grows older. Hypotrichosis Hypotrichosis is caused by a recessive genetic defect found in several cat breeds, including Cornish Rexes. This disease causes thinning of the hair or balding, which tends to develop in patterns or patches on the torso and head. A kitten can be born with symmetrical hair loss, or thinning of hair may ensue shortly after birth. In time, affected areas may develop additional pigmentation or thickened skin. Sources: https://valleyanimalhospitalllc.com/client-resources/breed-info/cornish-rex/ Photo credit : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornish_Rex
Breed-related disease: Saint Bernard
The St. Bernard or St Bernard is a breed of very large working dog originated in Switzerland along with several other breeds, including the Bernese Mountain Dog, Entlebuch Cattle Dog, Appenzell Cattle Dog, and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. They probably were created when dogs native to the Alps were crossed with Mastiff-type dogs that came with the Roman army during the time of the emperor Augustus. By the first millennium CE, dogs in Switzerland and the Alps were grouped together and known simply as Talhund” (Valley Dog) or “Bauernhund” (Farm Dog). The Saint Bernard is one of the most popular giant breeds. Its powerful and muscular build contrasts the wise, calm expression. The breed has either long or short hair, ranging in color from a deep to a more yellowed brown, with white markings always present. Even though the Saint Bernard is not very playful, it is patient, gentle, and easy-going with children. It is willing to please and shows true devotion to its family. Sometimes the dog displays its stubborn streak. The Saint Bernard breed, which has a lifespan of 8 to 10 years, may suffer from major health problems such as: Hip Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition in which the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. Entropion: This defect, which is usually obvious by six months of age, causes the eyelid to roll inward, irritating or injuring the eyeball. One or both eyes can be affected. If your Saint has entropion, you may notice him rubbing at his eyes. The condition can be corrected surgically. Epilepsy: This disorder causes mild or severe seizures. Epilepsy can be hereditary; it can be triggered by such events as metabolic disorders, infectious diseases that affect the brain, tumors, exposure to poisons, or severe head injuries; or it can be of unknown cause (referred to as idiopathic epilepsy). Osteochondrosis; is another inherited orthopedic condition that can affect Saints and many other breeds. It’s a defect in the formation of growing cartilage that causes it to fragment. It usually appears in dogs younger than 1 year. Sources: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/saint-bernard#/slide/1 Photo credit : http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/saint-bernard#health
Breed-related disease: Savannah Cat
The Savannah cat is the largest of the cat breeds. A Savannah cat is a cross between a domestic cat and a serval, a medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat. The unusual cross became popular among breeders at the end of the 1990s, and in 2001 The International Cat Association (TICA) accepted it as a new registered breed. In May 2012, TICA accepted it as a championship breed. Some states restrict the ownership of the Savannah to the later filial ratings. A great deal of a Savannah’s personality may depend on how close they are to their F1 cross. A Savannah can be black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby or black smoke. Black Savannahs are solid black but may have faint “ghost spots” that can be seen beneath the black color. Some are very social and friendly with new people, while others may run and hide or revert to hissing and growling when seeing a stranger. Savannahs have strong hunting instincts and love to climb and jump. Early socialization is crucial to their development. Well socialized Savannah’s can be affectionate and playful members of the family. This guide contains general health information important to all felines as well as information on genetic predispositions for Savannahs. Here we gathered some of the most common diseases in Savannah Heart Disease Cardiomyopathy is the medical term for heart muscle disease, either a primary inherited condition or secondary to other diseases that damage the heart. The most common form called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a thickening of the heart muscle often caused by an overactive thyroid gland. Arterial Thromboembolism Cats with heart disease may develop blood clots in their arteries known as FATE (feline aortic thromboembolisms). Blood clots most commonly become lodged just past the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood from the heart to the body, blocking normal blood flow to the hind legs. When this happens, one or both hind legs may become paralyzed, cold, or painful. FLUTD When your cat urinates outside the litter box, you may be annoyed or furious, especially if your best pair of shoes was the location chosen for the act. But don’t get mad too quickly—in the majority of cases, cats who urinate around the house are sending signals for help. Although true urinary incontinence, the inability to control the bladder muscles, is rare in cats and is usually due to improper nerve function from a spinal defect, most of the time, a cat that is urinating in “naughty” locations is having a problem and is trying to get you to notice. What was once considered to be one urinary syndrome has turned out to be several over years of research, but current terminology gathers these different diseases together under the label of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases, or FLUTD. Allergies/Atopy In humans, an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust makes people sneeze and their eyes itch. In cats it makes the skin itchy. We call this form of allergy “atopy.” Commonly, the legs, belly, face, and ears are very likely to have this problem. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Source: https://aubreyamc.com/feline/savannah/ Photo Credit : https://animalhealthcenternh.com/client-resources/breed-info/savannah/ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/savannah
Breed-related disease: Great Dane
John K Rosembert The Great Dane, also known as the German Mastiff or Apollo of dogs, a giant breed of German origin. The Great Dane descends from hunting dogs thought to have been around for more than 400 years, and is one of the largest breeds in the world. In the middle of the 16th century, the nobility in many countries of Europe imported strong, long-legged dogs from England, which were descended from crossbreeds between English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds. They were also popular with the upper class for sport, as few other dogs could bring down a wild boar. The Great Danes that were more like those we know today were developed in the 1800s. In 1880, the Germans banned the name “Great Dane” and called the breed “Deutsche Dogge,” which means German mastiff; however, the breed continues to be called Great Dane in English speaking countries. The Great Dane’s large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature. They are known for seeking physical affection with their owners, and the breed is often referred to as a “gentle giant”. They are moderately playful, affectionate and good with children. They will guard their home. Great Danes generally get along with other animals, particularly if raised with them, but some individuals in the breed can be aggressive with dogs they do not know. There’s one unfortunate truth that Great Dane lovers must come to grips with — this giant breed doesn’t have a long lifespan. Danes don’t fully mature until about the age of 3, but while a smaller dog is middle-aged at 10, that’s very old age in the Dane. Here we gather most common disease of the Great Dane; Gastric Torsion _ Better known as bloat, gastric torsion occurs when the stomach twists, causing the abdomen to swell and stopping blood circulation. Bloat is a red-alert emergency, as the dog dies painfully within hours without surgical intervention. It’s the primary killer of Great Danes, and while other deep-chested breeds are at risk, the level of risk is highest for this breed, according to the Great Dane Club of America. Heart Disease _ Cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease, often plagues Danes. Likely genetic in origin, dilated cardiomyopathy cause heart enlargement. Unfortunately, the initial symptom may be the dog’s death, but if your dog develops difficulty breathing, take him to the vet. Danes are also subject to tricuspid valve disease, a congenital problem in which a heart valve doesn’t work properly. Mitral valve disease may cause the left side of the heart to fail. Hip Dysplasia _ Hip dysplasia often manifests itself in larger dog breeds and Great Danes fit the bill. Hip dysplasia is a chronic condition in which the head of the femur bone doesn’t fit into the hip socket correctly. If you adopt a Great Dane from a breeder, ask for radiographs of the parents’ hips and speak to them about the parents’ health history. Hypothyroidism _ This lack of thyroid hormone causes weakness, lethargy, hair loss and other subtle symptoms. If you feel your Dane is just not quite right but can’t put your finger on it, hypothyroidism could be the cause. Take him to the vet for testing. There’s good news for this medical problem — treatment consists of thyroid supplementation. Sources: https://pets.thenest.com/wobbler-disease-doberman-pinscher-5075.html https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/great-dane#:~:text=The%20Dane%20is%20German%20in,guardians%20of%20estates%20and%20carriages Photo Credit: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/great-dane/
Breed-related disease: Toyger cat
John K. Rosembert Lots of cats are named Tiger, but it wasn’t until Judy Sugden was struck by the two spots of tabby markings on the temple of her cat Millwood Sharp Shooter that it occurred to her that they could be the secret to developing a domestic cat that truly resembled the lord of the jungle. Starting with a striped domestic shorthair named Scrapmetal and a Bengal cat named Millwood Rumpled Spotskin, and later importing a street cat from Kashmir, India, who had spots instead of tabby lines between his ears, she went to work to create a tiger for the living room. Other breeders who shared her vision and contributed to the breeding program were Anthony Hutcherson and Alice McKee. They came up with a domestic cat that had a large, long body, tabby patterns and rosettes that stretched and branched out, and circular head markings. The International Cat Association began registering the Toyger in 1993, advanced it to new breed status in 2000, and granted the breed full championship recognition in 2007. Currently, TICA is the only association that recognizes the Toyger. oygers are instantly recognisable by their beautiful coat patterns. Their coats are dense and luxuriously soft, with a modified mackerel tabby pattern with branching and interweaving stripes. Brown mackerel tabby is currently the only recognised colour, giving these cats a black and gold striped look, much like a miniature tiger. The Toyger has a sleek, muscular body with a long, thick tail, which is carried low as well as small, rounded ears, and small to medium eyes, which are normally yellow or green. The friendly and playful Toyger likes people and other pets. He delights in playing fetch, batting around a feather or fishing-pole toy, and just spending time with family members. He’s active enough to learn tricks, but not so energetic that he’ll run you ragged. He has an easygoing personality that makes him suited to most households or families. The Toyger is generally a healthy cat and is no more predisposed to infectious diseases than any other breed. Some breeders claim that some cats show an adverse reaction to the feline leukaemia vaccine, but this has not been substantiated. Responsible breeders screen their cats against diseases to which Bengals can be prone, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKDef), and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). However, anecdotal reports indicate that the incidence of all these conditions is significantly lower than in the Bengal, due to the Toyger’s outcross to domestic shorthairs. As they have dense, short hair, Toygers’ coats are very low maintenance, and only need to be brushed once a week. Sources: https://www.yourcat.co.uk/types-of-cats/toyger-cat-breed-information/ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/toyger#health Photo credit : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyger
Breed-related disease: Dalmatians
John K. Rosembert Dalmatians are one of the oldest dog breeds known to man, although their exact origins are somewhat shrouded. The earliest recorded history of the breed places them in regions of Asia and Europe, particularly in Dalmatia, and it’s from here that the breed takes its name. Historically, Dalmatians have been known as coaching dogs, running around and beneath carriages, following their master’s travels. They are also known as the fireman’s friend, and once traveled along on runs in the days of the horse-pulled fire wagon. Dalmatians are a large, strong, muscular dog. The skull is about as wide as it is long, and flat on the top. The muzzle is about the same length as the top of the skull. The stop is moderate but well defined. The nose can be black, brown (liver), blue or a dark gray that looks like black. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The medium-sized round eyes are brown, blue or a combination of both. The ears are set high, hanging down, gradually tapering to a rounded tip. The chest is deep. The base of the tail is level with the topline and tapers to the tip. The feet are round with arched toes. Toenails are white and/or black in black-spotted dogs and brown and/or white in liver-spotted dogs. The short coat has fine dense hairs. The symmetrical coat is predominantly white with clearly defined round spots. The spots can be black or brown (liver) which are the preferred colors in the show ring, but can also be, lemon, dark blue, tricolored, brindled, solid white or sable. Not all of these colors are accepted into the show ring, but they do occur in the breed. The more defined and well distributed the markings are, the more valued the dog is to the show ring. Puppies are born completely white and the spots develop later. They are highly energetic, playful and sensitive dogs. They are loyal to their family and good with children, although some Dalmatian experts caution that the breed may be too energetic for very small children. These dogs are intelligent, can be well trained and make good watchdogs. Some Dalmatians can be reserved with strangers and aggressive toward other dogs; others are timid if they are not well socialized, and yet others can be high-strung. These dogs are known for having especially good “memories” and are said to recall any mistreatment for years. Like other breeds, Dalmatians display a propensity towards certain health problems specific to their breed, Such as: Deafness A genetic predisposition for deafness is a serious health problem for Dalmatians; American Dalmatians exhibit a prevalence for bilateral congenital sensoneural deafness of 8%, (for which there is no possible treatment), compared with 5.3% for the UK population. Deafness was not recognized by early breeders, so the breed was thought to be unintelligent. Many breeders, when hearing testing started to become the norm, were amazed to discover that they had uni hearing dogs. Even after recognizing the problem as a genetic fault, breeders did not understand the dogs’ nature, and deafness in Dalmatians continues to be a frequent problem. Dalmatian-Pointer Backcross Project Hyperuricemia in Dalmatians (as in all breeds) is inherited, but unlike other breeds, the “normal” gene for a uric acid transporter that allows for uric acid to enter liver cells and be subsequently broken down is not present in the breed’s gene pool. Therefore, there is no possibility of eliminating hyperuricemia among pure-bred Dalmatians. The only possible solution to this problem must then be crossing Dalmatians with other breeds to reintroduce the “normal” uric acid transporter gene. This led to the foundation of the Dalmatian-Pointer Backcross Project, which aims to reintroduce the normal uric acid transporter gene into the Dalmatian breed. Hyperuricemia Dalmatians, like humans, can suffer from hyperuricemia, Dalmatians’ livers have trouble breaking down uric acid, which can build up in the blood serum (hyperuricemia) causing gout. Uric acid can also be excreted in high concentration into the urine, causing kidney stones and bladder stones. These conditions are most likely to occur in middle-aged males. Males over 10 are prone to kidney stones and should have their calcium intake reduced or be given preventive medication. Eye Problems Not many things have as dramatic an impact on your dog’s quality of life as the proper functioning of his eyes. Unfortunately, Dalmatians can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful!. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatian_(dog) https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dalmatian.htm Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatian_(dog)
Breed-related disease: Burmilla
The Burmilla started out as an accident. In 1981, a Chinchilla Persian male and a Lilac Burmese bred, and the female delivered four kittens. These kittens had an unusual black-tipped coloring. The look of these cats was so attractive that a breeding program was inaugurated to produce a cat that would have the short hair of the Burmese, the roundness taken from both breeds, and the unusual coloring seen in the initial kittens. The Burmilla is rarely seen. In Britain, it is still an experimental breed, and it is not yet accepted by the major registries in the United States. The Burmilla is a medium-sized cat, but she is also stocky and heavy. This breed is somewhat compact while being very muscular with heavy boning. It is a cat that is very rounded. The head is round and the tips of the ears are round. The profile shows a “break,” and the eyes are very slightly slanted. The coat of the Burmilla is short and soft. Because of the original pairing, the coat is also thick and dense. The Burmilla is a fairly placid cat. She tends to be an easy cat to get along with, requiring minimal care. The Burmilla is affectionate and sweet and makes a good companion. They are good climbers and jumpers and should have cat trees and perches. The Burmilla is a sturdy, stocky cat and you might have to watch her weight carefully, particularly if she does not get enough exercise. Modify her nutrition if you need to do so. Burmilla’s are a typically healthy breed with an expected lifespan of 7–12 years. Therefore they are also prone to a few health issues, Such as: Congenital keratoconjunctivitis sicca causes dry eyes, chronic conjunctivitis and corneal vascularization Feline Orofacial pain syndrome affects male cats in particular, although females are also affected. Symptoms include exaggerated licking and chewing movements, plus excessive pawing at the mouth. This happens in distinct episodes, although the cat remains alert (albeit in distress) for the duration . The disease appears to be related to some kind of oral pain or distress, and is possibly linked to teething or dental disease. A possible risk factor is stress, but it is believed that there are also hereditary factors involved. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD ) an inherited kidney disease where cysts form in the kidneys at birth, gradually increasing in size as the cat ages. PKD eventually leads to kidney failure, however, it can be managed to help decrease the workload on the kidneys. Sources: https://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-breeds/cat-breeds/burmilla/ https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/burmilla# : Photo credit: https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cat-life-expectancy-burmilla
Breed-related disease: Basset Hound
Basset Hounds were originally bred in France and Belgium (“basset” is French for “low”). It is thought that the friars of the Abbey of St. Hubert were responsible for crossing strains of older French breeds to create a low-built scenting hound that could plod over rough terrain while followed on foot by a human hunting partner tracking rabbit and deer. Their accuracy and persistence on scent made Bassets a popular choice for French aristocrats, for whom hunting was a way of life. Bassets are very heavy-boned dogs with a large body on fairly short legs. Because they are bulky, bassets are slow maturing dogs, often not reaching full size until two years old. Bassets are immediately recognizable by their short, crooked legs, their long hanging ears and their large heads with hanging lips, sad expressive eyes, and wrinkled foreheads. The tail curves up and is carried somewhat gaily. The body is long and with the short legs gives bassets a rectangular appearance. The basset has a nice short, tight coat, with no long hair on legs or tail. Colors most commonly seen are tricolor or red and white but any hound color is acceptable. The Basset Hound is among the most good natured and easygoing of breeds. This breed is amiable with dogs, other pets, and children, although children must be cautioned not to put strain on this and all dogs’ backs with their games. The Basset is calm inside, but needs regular exercise in order to keep fit. They prefer to investigate slowly, and love to sniff and trail. These are talented and determined trackers, not easily dissuaded from their course. Because of this, they may get on a trail and follow it until becoming lost. This dog tends to be stubborn and slow moving. Bassets have a loud bay that they use when excited on the trail. Here, we summarized the most common health concerns you should look for over the lifetime of your Basset. Here we go: Bloat Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, also known as GDV or Bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Basset is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off blood supply to the stomach, and sometimes the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as 30 minutes. Your dog may retch or heave (but little or nothing comes out), act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position (front feet down, rear end up). Back Problems Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a common condition in dogs with long backs and short legs, which may include your Basset. The disease is caused when the jelly-like cushion between one or more vertebrae slips or ruptures, causing the disc to press on the spinal cord. If your dog is suddenly unable or unwilling to jump up or go upstairs, is reluctant to move around, has a hunched back, cries out, or refuses to eat or go potty, he is likely in severe pain. He may even drag his back feet or be suddenly paralyzed and unable to get up or use his back legs. If you see symptoms, don’t wait. Call us or an emergency clinic immediately! For less severe cases, rest and medication may resolve the problem. Joint Disease When Basset puppies are allowed to grow too quickly, the cartilage in their joints may not attach to the bone properly. This problem is known as osteochondritis dissecans or OCD. If this occurs, surgery may be required to fix the problem. It’s best to stick to our recommended growth rate of no more than four pounds per week. Don’t overfeed him and don’t supplement with additional calcium. Feed a large-breed puppy diet rather than an adult or a regular puppy diet. Bleeding Tumor Hemangiosarcoma is a type of bleeding tumor that affects Basset Hounds at greater than average incidence. These tumors commonly form in the spleen, but can form in other organs as well. Unbeknownst to a pet owner, the tumor breaks open and internal bleeding occurs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. We often find clues that one of these tumors is present during senior wellness testing, so have his blood tested and an ultrasound performed at least yearly. Sources: https://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/basset-hound/ https://coonrapidspethospital.com/client-resources/breed-info/basset-hound/ Photo credit: https://mom.com/momlife/19480-cool-facts-about-basset-hounds/