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List of Possible Genetic Diseases in the Great Pyrenees Breed
Alimentary Diseases (AL)
There are thirty-three (33) known genetic diseases in twelve (12) categories possible for the Great Pyrenees breed. Part of this is due to irresponsible breeding of unethical breeders such as "puppy mills" and those who do not know any better…..often referred to as "backyard breeders" although many reputable breeders have their dogs in their back yards and many "bybs" do not. No matter what the bloodlines, these genetic diseases are all possible in the breed but some lines are more prone to carry for some things while other lines are more prone to carry for others. Testing of breeding stock, their siblings, parents and offspring as well as responsible breeding practices help reduce the chances of spreading these diseases. Over time, any disease can be controlled and even eliminated in a line or breed…..it just takes commitment, time and co-operation between breeders. There is no such thing as hybrid vigor in crosses of two or more dog breeds. There can be larger, more vigorous pups in an out-crossing or rotation breeding of different bloodlines of the same breed but these are many times less than ideal in type, etc. and must be bred back to one or both of the original lines to achieve, again, the good bites (teeth alignment), head, etc. True hybrids are often sterile (cannot produce offspring). {Example: Mules are a cross between a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). Mules are usually sterile.)} Crossing dog breeds only brings in more potential genetic diseases to the offspring produced. Crossing one dog breed to another does not produce a hybrid. This list of genetic diseases is cited from the book Howell Book House A Simon & Schuster Macmillan Company 1633 Broadway New York, NY 10019 We recommend anyone interested in breeding, read this book. It can be ordered from your local bookstore.
Heart & Vascular Diseases (HV) 7. Subaortic Stenosis: A narrowing at the base of the aorta as a result of a fibrous band, causing murmurs, weakness & sudden death. Polygenic/ < 1 year 8. Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia: There may be anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, ascites and a heart murmur. Und/ < 1 year
9. Inguinal Hernia: An outpouching of skin in the area of the inguinal ring, which may contain viscera; a scrotal hernia is a type of inguinal hernia. R or Und/ < 6 months 10. Umbilical Hernia: An outpouching of the skin over the “belly button”. It may contain abdominal viscera & sometimes regresses spontaneously. R or Polygenic/ < 6 months 11. Boxer Neuropathy (Progressive Axonopathy): Axonal swellings that result in progressive ataxia and finally death. R/ > 3 months 12. Hereditary Ataxia: A rear-limb ataxia that progresses to compete paralysis. R/ < 6 months 13. Sensory Neuropathy: Brain degeneration that decreases pain sensation; you may see self-mutilation or trauma without apparent pain, particularly of the paws. B. Und/ > 6 months 14. Cataracts: Vary by breed & age of onset. As a generality, any lens opacity that obscures vision & may cause blindness is considered a cataract. H. Und Cataracts Not Further Defined Und/ Varies 15. Ectropion: Turning out of the eyelids, causing excessive exposure of the eyeball. Und/ < 6 months 16. Entropion: Turning in of the eyelids, causing the eyelashes to rub the eyeball. Und/ < 1 year 17. Medial Canthal Pocket Syndrome: Clinically, chronic conjunctivitis, caused by deep orbits, slight Entropion and poor drainage of tears. Und/ < 6 months 18. Optic Nerve Hypoplasia: Visual impairment or blindness occurs. Pupil of the affected eye may be dilated. Und/ < 3 months 19. Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM, Mesodermal Dysgenesis): A failure of blood vessels in the anterior chamber to regress normally; there may be impaired vision or blindness. Und/ < 3 months 20. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): Degeneration of the retinal vision cells, which progresses to blindness. B. Und/ Varies 21. Cryptorchidism: An absence of testicles due to retention in the abdomen or inguinal region; can be one- or both- sided, or may slide in and out of the scrotum. R Und/ < 3 months 22. Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate: A fissure or cleft in the roof of the mouth and upper lip; may be present together or separately. This allows food and/or fluid to enter the nasal respiratory pathway. B. Und/ Birth 23. Dwarfism (Osteochondrodysplasia, Chondrodysplasia, Achondrodysplasia, Pseudoachondroplasia, Primary Metabolic Skeletal Abnormality, Enchondrodystrophy): The skeletal dysplasias are a varied group of inherited disorders that are not well-defined. When breeds are compared, it is difficult to determine which diseases have the same etiology and which are different, although it is possible with some of them. In this listing, breeds are individually categorized and grouped only where there is direct information that they are the same or when there is a lack of information that would allow us to categorize them. Dwarfish is defined here as a disorder that reduces the size of a dog below that which is reasonably established as expected for a given breed. It may or may not include physical deformities and they may be proportionate or disproportionate. I. Great Pyrenees Dwarfism R/ < 4 weeks 24. Hip Dysplasia: Abnormal formation of the hip socket; causes rear-limb lameness. Polygenic/ < 2 years 25. Luxation of the Patella: Poor development of the structures holding the kneecap in place. The patella usually rotates medially (inward) in small breeds. Polygenic/ < 1 year
26. Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): Aseptic necrosis of bone under joint cartilage; causes lameness. Elbow Joint (Elbow Dysplasia): OCD of the medial humeral condyle, fractured coronoid process and nonfusion of the anconeal process. Und/ < 1 year B. Nonfusion of the Anconeus Und/ < or = 1 year D. Shoulder Joint Und/ < or = 1 year 27. Overshot: Upper jaw extends beyond the lower jaw. B. Und/ < 1 year 28. Panosteitis (Enostosis, Eosinophilic Panosteitis): Usually, sudden onset of a mild, shifting lameness. Fever, anorexia and lethargy may be present. The disease may be serious enough that the animal may not bear weight on the affected limb. This disease is self-limiting. Und/ < 18 months 29. Spondylosis Deformans: Abnormal fusion or bridging between vertebrae; may cause pain and/or paralysis. Polygenic/ > 1 year 30. Transitional Vertebral Segments (Lumbosacral): Clinical signs associated with this disorder relate to damage to the cauda equina and include paresis, paralysis, denervation atrophy and atonia. Polygenic/ Varies 31. Undershot: Lower jaw extends beyond upper jaw. Polygenic/ < 1 year 32. Wobbler Syndrome (Cervical Spondylolisthesis, Vertebral Instability): Abnormality of the neck vertebrae, causing rear-leg ataxia that may progress to paralysis. The main vertebrae affected are 5, 6 and 7. B. Polygenic/ < or = 1 year 33. Renal Dysplasia: Failure of normal development of the renal parenchyma, causing malfunction and death. Clinical signs are those of renal failure. B. Und/ < 1 year
Hypoprothrombinemia - In Newborn Pups Recently we as breeders had a perplexing problem. Puppies at one day of age all presented with gasping for air, cyanosis (blue) and rectal bleeding. We were down to the last survivor when Gloria who researched her vet books said, "what about vitamin K", and then the light went on. I gave vitamin K - SC (subcutaneously). The response was so dramatic that it prompted me to write this. In less than 45 minutes the bleeding stopped, respirations were normal and without rales (chest noises) and the cyanosis was totally gone. Human infants routinely receive vitamin K soon after birth. I am sure I received it when I was born. It is fat soluble and I don't see it listed in dog food analyses on packaged food. It is essential for prothrombin synthesis, a clotting factor. Without it we, or the dogs, could easily bleed fatally much like Decon does in rat poison, or someone with too much "blood thinner" (anticoagulant). I now give vitamin K to a bitch a few days before whelp. Results are too soon to say, but those that breed might find this useful. Please note many veterinarians will poo-poo this, but I feel it is too important not to pass it on. I purchase Aquamephyton (Vitamin K) from the pharmacy. But then I am a physician, all be it retired. It came as a 2.5cc vial of 10 mgms/ml, and I am giving 5 mgms (0.5 ml) SC to the bitch 1-2 days before whelping. Note from Maple Way Great Pyrenees Our dear friend, Mrs. Gloria Stubenrauch, sent this to us back in the spring of 2000. They had experienced this while caring for a dog in whelp belonging to a friend. I had noticed these symptoms in the first litter from Moses and Rajah and asked for help. Although we had this information, the vets we went to did not think it necessary…..although giving the pups vitamin K would not have hurt anything…..and we lost the entire litter. The next litter was Rollie's, they did not have the bleeding problem but Raj got mastitis and Rollie was the only one saved by bottle feeding. The vet we went to that time, Dr. Vance Jackson, DVM, was very open minded about vitamin K (although again that was not the problem that time) and did all he could to help with Rollie's litter. Raj was put on antibiotics and the three living pups put on the bottle…..sadly two were already too far gone. It was said she'd probably had a touch of mastitis, we hadn't noticed, as a result of not being "milked out" after loosing the first litter and it came back with the second, poisoning the pups. We now give the Pyrs and Cockers vitamin K before whelping (if we think it necessary) and some to the pups after being born (if necessary). A Note to Veterinarians You may have a hard time finding vets who agree with vitamin K. I know at least one who is a very nice veterinarian but owned a Pyr once herself and thinks no such problem exists in the breed. I am sorry, but just because one is a Doctor or owns a particular breed does not make one an expert. I, myself, am no expert but please…..as a friendly note to all veterinarians…..take into consideration the suggestions given by the owner or breeder of a dog, they've often spent many hours studying the breed and know about many things that may strike the breed at times, whether genetic or otherwise, as in the case of sensitivity to anesthesia. We are not trying to disrespect your intelligence or knowledge, we just want to save our animals. You never know, if someone suggests something and it won't hurt to try…..why not see if it saves the animal? Jesus
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