Breed Defects / Predispositions and their impact on grooming

 

As a result of selective breeding for particular characteristics there are now 4 basic skull shapes in dogs:

Dolicocephic – long, narrow face, where the skull is longer than it is wider.

Examples of dolicocephic breeds of dog.

1.                 Greyhound

2.                 Afghan Hound

3.                 Bedlington Terrier

4.                 Dachshund

 

Mesaticephalic – Face shape most similar to the wolf, where the skull is approximately as long as it is wide.

Examples of mesaticephalic breeds of dog.

1.            Siberian Husky

2.            Golden Retriever

3.            Border Collie

4.            Beagle

 

Brachycephalic – Short, broad face, where the skull is shorter than it is wide.

Examples of brachycephalic breeds of dog.

1.            Yorkshire Terrier

2.            Newfoundland

3.            Boxer

4.            Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

 

Severe Brachycephalic – Flat face. The skull has no discernible nasal bone or top jaw. The bottom jaw is longer than the top resulting in difficulty eating.

Examples of breeds of dog with severe brachycephalic head shapes.

1.          Pug

2.          English Bulldog

3.          French Bulldog

4.          Pekingese

Brachycephalic dogs have a flattened face. This short face is further exaggerated in severe brachycephalic breeds. Depending on the breed of dog the maxilla and mandible (top and bottom jaw bones) may be different lengths, resulting in undershot or overshot bites. Where the teeth do not meet correctly the dog is said to suffer from malocclusion.   

Problems associated with malocclusion

• Crowding of teeth leading to jaw pain

• Periodontal (gum) disease

• Discomfort and difficulty eating

• Mouth injuries and worn teeth

 

Problems associated with brachycephalic and sever brachycephalic dogs

How brachycephaly can causes the following problems:

• Skin fold dermatitis and infections

  The faces of brachycephalic breeds are often wrinkled with skin folds. Within these folds irritation occurs by hairs and skin rubbing together, this, combined with the accumulation of skin secretions often result in dermatitis and infections occurring. When grooming care must be taken when grooming these breeds to ensure the folds are left clean and completely dry. If signs of infection are found this must be reported to the owner and veterinary treatment recommended. The area should be carefully cleaned, but care must be taken to prevent the bacteria speading further and to ensure the dog is not experiencing discomfort during the process.

   

• Protruding eye ball

  Protruding eyes balls are common in brachycephalic breeds, because the depth of the eye socket is too shallow causing the eyes to bulge. This does mean the eyes are at an increased risk of infections and damage.

   

• Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

  Due to the shorter bones of the face and nose brachycephalic breeds can have issues breathing. The structure of their face results in the narrowing of nostrils and the soft pallet and tongue being to large for the mouth, all of which  restricts the amount of air that can flow into the body resulting in breathing difficulties. Surgical intervention is often required to ensure the dog has a reasonable quality of life.

   

• Poor ability to tolerate heat

  Panting and breathing through their nose allows a dog to cool their body temperature by cooling the hot air as it passes through the nose. Dogs that can’t breathe effectively through their nose, have a reduced ability to thermoregulate (control their body temperature) and as a result these dogs are more prove to heat stroke.

   

Considerations when grooming a brachycephalic dog

• Avoid neck restraints - these can constrict the larynx making breathing more difficult

• Avoid overheating - use alternative drying methods.

• Reduce stress

• Do not use muzzles which keep the dogs mouth shut – this can restrict their breathing.

 

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Chondrodysplasia

Dogs suffering from chondrodysplasia are most commonly recognised by their shortened legs, however the condition refers to the abnormal growth of bone and cartilage throughout their body resulting in dwarfism. Other symptoms of chondrodysplasia include:

• Larger than normal head, often flattened resulting in tongue hanging out

• Malocclusion

• Abnormal bone shape and growth, particularly in legs which may appear bowed

• Enlarged joints

   

Examples of  breeds of dog where chondrodysplasia occurs

• Dachshunds

• Welsh Corgi

• Basset Hounds

• English Bulldog 

 

Problems associated with chondrodysplasia

• Osteoarthritis

  The abnormal shape of the joints causes them to work harder than average and can result in Osteoarthritis; chronic joint inflammation caused by deterioration of the joint cartilage making it uncomfortable for the dog to move the affected joints.  

• Poor mobility

  With the pain from the joint movement, poor mobility can be a result. Dog are unwilling to move due to the discomfort and want to exercise less often resulting in weight gain which increases the pressure on joints further.

   

Considerations when grooming a chondrodysplasia dogs

• Avoid long periods of standing

• Ensure body weight is supported correctly.

 

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Patella Luxation 

 

Patella luxation is a common bone problem where the kneecap (patella) slips out of the groove in the femur where it should normally move easily when the animal walks. Patella luxation can be the result of a trauma or genetic predisposition.

Signs of patella luxation

• Lameness, this may be intermittent or continuous.

• Stiff, awkward gait due to lack of extension of the knee

 

Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from patella luxation.

• Yorkshire Terrier

• Pomeranian

• Pekingese

• Chihuahua 

 

Problems associated with patella luxation

• Lameness

  When the kneecap has slipped, this can result in lameness. The dog will be unwilling to place weight on the effected leg and have dysfunctional movement. 

• Pain when walking

  Slipping of the kneecap can be very painful, especially when being moved, i.e when walking. The dog will not want to put weight on the effected knee as it's not functioning correctly, therefore when walking the dog will try to not use the effected leg and rely on the others. This can is discomfort in the other legs as they are taking extra weight. 

• Osteoarthritis

  Over time, if the kneecap continually slips osteoarthritis (inflammation of the joint) can occur   

Considerations when grooming a dog with patella luxation

• Avoid standing for long periods of time

• Avoid over extending the knee when nail clipping / lifting leg.

 

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Skin Fold Dermatitis

Skin fold dermatitis occurs in the warm, moist fold of skin, usually on a dog’s face, at the base of their tail (particularly in dogs with corkscrew tails) or around the vulva. These deep wrinkles are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and yeast leading to the puss filled skin infection, pyoderma. Symptoms include:

• Hair loss in and around the folds (alopecia)

• Inflammation, irritation and redness

• Malodourous areas (unpleasant odour originating from the folds)

• Chewing or scratching the affected area

   

Examples of breeds of dog which may commonly suffer from skin fold dermatitis

• Pugs

• Bulldogs

• Shar-Peis 

 

Considerations when grooming a dog with skin fold dermatitis

• Careful cleaning of affected areas

• Careful and sensitive drying of affected areas

• Refer the owner for veterinary treatment

 

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Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia is the development of fluid filled sacs on the spinal cord. The condition is degenerative.

Symptoms include:

• Scratching of the area around the neck

• Pain – affected by the posture of the dog

• Stiffness in neck, back and limbs

• Sensitivity to touch

   

Examples of breeds of dog which are affected by syringomyelia

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

• Griffon Bruxellois 

 

Problems associated with syringomyelia.

• Numbness in limbs

  The fluid in the spine can effect the nervous system and as a result the dog can get numbness in the limbs. This can be detected when you touch the limb and no response is seen or the dog hurts the limb and does not notice. 

• Loss of bladder control

  As with the numbness, loss of bladder control can be a result of the nervous system being effected. The nervous system is the transportation system for messages around the body and if it is effected some messages can not be passed around the body, including those which control the bladder function.

• Poor ability to regulate the body temperature

  The nervous system does not communicate message correctly  resulting in the body not processing instructions to adapt to changes in the temperature by shivering, panting, drinking etc.

   

Considerations when grooming a dog with syringomyelia

• Avoid neck restraints

• Sensitive handling of neck area

• Avoid overheating - use alternative drying methods