Genetic DisordersGenetic DisordersAmerican Pit BullAmerican Pit Bull

IntroductionIntroduction

When choosing any breed of dog you must be When choosing any breed of dog you must be aware of potential health concerns aware of potential health concerns

All dogs mixes and pure bred can have health All dogs mixes and pure bred can have health concerns concerns

The more popular breeds and their mixes will The more popular breeds and their mixes will have more genetic problems listed and more have more genetic problems listed and more likely to have puppies with problems . likely to have puppies with problems .

Make sure your breeder offers a written health Make sure your breeder offers a written health guarantee good for one year.guarantee good for one year.

Have the puppy heath checked at your Have the puppy heath checked at your VeterinarianVeterinarian

Musculoskeletal DisordersMusculoskeletal Disorders

Hip dysplasiaHip dysplasia The hip joint is a "ball and socket" joint: the The hip joint is a "ball and socket" joint: the "ball" (the top part of the thigh bone or femur) fits into a "ball" (the top part of the thigh bone or femur) fits into a "socket" formed by the pelvis. If there is a loose fit "socket" formed by the pelvis. If there is a loose fit between these bones, and the ligaments which help to between these bones, and the ligaments which help to hold them together are loose, the ball may slide part way hold them together are loose, the ball may slide part way out of the socket (subluxate). With time, as this occurs out of the socket (subluxate). With time, as this occurs repeatedly, other degenerative changes in the joint occur repeatedly, other degenerative changes in the joint occur (also called osteoarthritis) and your dog will become (also called osteoarthritis) and your dog will become painful, lame and weak in the hind end.painful, lame and weak in the hind end.This disease is progressive; that is, it gets worse with This disease is progressive; that is, it gets worse with timetime

Patellar luxationPatellar luxation: Slipping kneecap. Should be noticeable : Slipping kneecap. Should be noticeable when puppy is vet check prior to salewhen puppy is vet check prior to sale

Skin DisordersSkin Disorders zinc-responsive dermatosiszinc-responsive dermatosis This disorder causes scaling and crusting of the This disorder causes scaling and crusting of the

skin. It is not due to a dietary deficiency of zinc; instead affected dogs skin. It is not due to a dietary deficiency of zinc; instead affected dogs appear to have a higher than normal requirement for zinc, perhaps due to appear to have a higher than normal requirement for zinc, perhaps due to abnormal intestinal absorption. As the name implies, the skin condition abnormal intestinal absorption. As the name implies, the skin condition improves with zinc supplementation Signs are usually first seen around improves with zinc supplementation Signs are usually first seen around puberty. There is reddening, scaling, crusting, and hair loss on the muzzle puberty. There is reddening, scaling, crusting, and hair loss on the muzzle and around the eyes. The footpads as well as the area around the vulva and and around the eyes. The footpads as well as the area around the vulva and anus may be affected. The lesions are itchy in about half of dogs with this anus may be affected. The lesions are itchy in about half of dogs with this disorder, causing chewing of the feet or rubbing or pawing at the face.disorder, causing chewing of the feet or rubbing or pawing at the face.

ichthyosisichthyosis This is a rare condition in which there is marked thickening of the This is a rare condition in which there is marked thickening of the outer layer of the skin and of the footpads. Affected dogs have rough skin outer layer of the skin and of the footpads. Affected dogs have rough skin covered with thick greasy flakes or scales that stick to the skin and hair.covered with thick greasy flakes or scales that stick to the skin and hair.

Affected dogs have abnormal skin at birth and the condition worsens with Affected dogs have abnormal skin at birth and the condition worsens with age. The skin is rough and covered with thick greasy scales, some of which age. The skin is rough and covered with thick greasy scales, some of which tightly adhere to the skin and hair, and some of which are shed in flakes. tightly adhere to the skin and hair, and some of which are shed in flakes. The dog's general health does not appear to be affected, but the skin The dog's general health does not appear to be affected, but the skin changes are chronic and severe.changes are chronic and severe.

Skin DisordersSkin Disorders Demodicosis/ Demodectic mangeDemodicosis/ Demodectic mange is a mite that is present in is a mite that is present in

small numbers in the skin of most healthy dogs. Nursing puppies small numbers in the skin of most healthy dogs. Nursing puppies acquire the mite from their mothers during the first few days of life, acquire the mite from their mothers during the first few days of life, and in most dogs there will never be any associated problems.and in most dogs there will never be any associated problems.In some dogs however, the normal balance is disrupted due to an In some dogs however, the normal balance is disrupted due to an immune defect. The mites multiply by the thousands in the hair immune defect. The mites multiply by the thousands in the hair follicles causing inflammation, in a condition called demodicosis. follicles causing inflammation, in a condition called demodicosis. Demodicosis may be Demodicosis may be localizedlocalized - that is, confined to 1 or more small - that is, confined to 1 or more small discrete scaly reddened areas of hair loss, most commonly on the discrete scaly reddened areas of hair loss, most commonly on the face or front legs. This is usually seen in pups of 3 to 6 months of face or front legs. This is usually seen in pups of 3 to 6 months of age, and most cases resolve spontaneously. Alternately, age, and most cases resolve spontaneously. Alternately, generalized demodicosisgeneralized demodicosis may develop, at anywhere from 3 to 12 may develop, at anywhere from 3 to 12 months of age. This is a severe skin condition.months of age. This is a severe skin condition.The defect in the cell-mediated immune system which allows the The defect in the cell-mediated immune system which allows the development of generalized demodicosis is believed to be inherited development of generalized demodicosis is believed to be inherited

It is not infectious, to other pets or to people It is not infectious, to other pets or to people

Endocrine DisordersEndocrine Disorders HypothyroidismHypothyroidism The changes due to gradually decreasing levels of The changes due to gradually decreasing levels of

circulating thyroid hormone are slow and insidious. Early signs (which circulating thyroid hormone are slow and insidious. Early signs (which are usually not recognized as being related to hypothyroidism) include are usually not recognized as being related to hypothyroidism) include lower energy levels and increased susceptibility to infections. As the lower energy levels and increased susceptibility to infections. As the disease progresses, you will likely notice changes in your dog's hair disease progresses, you will likely notice changes in your dog's hair coat - symmetrical hair loss with or without darkening of the skin, and coat - symmetrical hair loss with or without darkening of the skin, and dry or greasy hair. Other signs of hypothyroidism include a slow heart dry or greasy hair. Other signs of hypothyroidism include a slow heart rate, lethargy, mental dullness, intolerance to cold, infertility in males rate, lethargy, mental dullness, intolerance to cold, infertility in males and females, constipation, and weight gain. Less commonly, a dog and females, constipation, and weight gain. Less commonly, a dog with hypothyroidism may experience heart disease, a bleeding with hypothyroidism may experience heart disease, a bleeding disorder, profound muscular weakness associated with abnormalities disorder, profound muscular weakness associated with abnormalities in the muscles or nerves, or another endocrine disorder such as in the muscles or nerves, or another endocrine disorder such as diabetes mellitus.diabetes mellitus.

Congenital hypothyroidismCongenital hypothyroidism Puppies with congenital hypothyroidism will have stunted growth as Puppies with congenital hypothyroidism will have stunted growth as well as many other abnormalities. Severely affected puppies most well as many other abnormalities. Severely affected puppies most likely die before weaninglikely die before weaning

Immune System DisordersImmune System Disorders AtopyAtopy The condition is usually first seen between 1 and 3 years of age, The condition is usually first seen between 1 and 3 years of age,

although it may develop as late as 6 or 7. Initially atopy may be seasonal although it may develop as late as 6 or 7. Initially atopy may be seasonal (eg. from spring to fall) but most affected dogs eventually have signs all year (eg. from spring to fall) but most affected dogs eventually have signs all year round.round.

Dogs with atopy are very itchy. The areas most affected are the face, paws, Dogs with atopy are very itchy. The areas most affected are the face, paws, lower legs, groin, and, less often, the ears and eyes. In addition to lower legs, groin, and, less often, the ears and eyes. In addition to scratching themselves with their hind feet, they often lick or chew the scratching themselves with their hind feet, they often lick or chew the affected areas, or rub along the carpet to scratch the face or ears. The affected areas, or rub along the carpet to scratch the face or ears. The intense itching can make them irritable and less tolerant of being handled. intense itching can make them irritable and less tolerant of being handled. Initially, there are no apparent skin abnormalities, except possibly slight Initially, there are no apparent skin abnormalities, except possibly slight reddening, even though the dog is clearly itchy. (This is important because reddening, even though the dog is clearly itchy. (This is important because in other conditions there is often a rash or some visible lesion.) Over time, in other conditions there is often a rash or some visible lesion.) Over time, lesions develop as a result of the scratching and self-trauma, bacterial or lesions develop as a result of the scratching and self-trauma, bacterial or yeast infections, and seborrhea, all of which can contribute to the yeast infections, and seborrhea, all of which can contribute to the objectionable odor of these dogs. The skin becomes reddened and objectionable odor of these dogs. The skin becomes reddened and eventually darkened (hyperpigmentation), abraded, thickened, and wrinkled, eventually darkened (hyperpigmentation), abraded, thickened, and wrinkled, with loss of hair and bronze staining from saliva.with loss of hair and bronze staining from saliva.

Gastrointestinal DisordersGastrointestinal Disorders

Cleft lip/palateCleft lip/palate This is an opening in the lip or the roof of This is an opening in the lip or the roof of the mouth that occurs due to failure of normal fusion the mouth that occurs due to failure of normal fusion processes during embryonic development. Cleft palate processes during embryonic development. Cleft palate and cleft lip may result from either hereditary or and cleft lip may result from either hereditary or environmental causes (such as the use of certain drugs environmental causes (such as the use of certain drugs during pregnancy).during pregnancy).

Affected pups are born with the condition. A minor defect Affected pups are born with the condition. A minor defect will cause little or no problem, while a more severe will cause little or no problem, while a more severe defect will cause signs such as a chronic nasal defect will cause signs such as a chronic nasal discharge (that may include food), poor growth, discharge (that may include food), poor growth, aspiration pneumonia (from inhalation of food), or even aspiration pneumonia (from inhalation of food), or even death.death.

In Conclusion In Conclusion American Pit Bull8Terriers have 8 health concerns Disorders

relatively common in this breed are : None.

Note above disorder(s) is very common in this breed. Do not take lightly the other disorders. Some are very serious .

Information for this presentation as a public service provided by: www.delayrekennel.com with information provided by :

A joint initiative of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association..

Permission is granted to reprint pages from the database, provided that credit is given as follows: Crook A et al. 2011. Canine Inherited Disorders Database

Photo Wikipedia

About the PresenterAbout the Presenter Member of the Canine Ambassador Program with Orange Empire Member of the Canine Ambassador Program with Orange Empire

Dog Club. Educating people in the joy canines bring into our lives Dog Club. Educating people in the joy canines bring into our lives through their relationship, interaction, and unconditional love. through their relationship, interaction, and unconditional love.

Pet Professional specializing in the training of puppies in Sun Valley Pet Professional specializing in the training of puppies in Sun Valley since 1974 . since 1974 .

Breeder of Silky Terriers and Wire Fox TerriersBreeder of Silky Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers My boarding, training and breeding kennel was awarded Small My boarding, training and breeding kennel was awarded Small

Business of the Year 2000 Business of the Year 2000 Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau A+ rating I have owned and/or bred 21 Conformation Champions including 6 I have owned and/or bred 21 Conformation Champions including 6

International Champions International Champions Member and former Vice President of the City of Angels Silky Member and former Vice President of the City of Angels Silky

Terrier ClubTerrier Club Past President of Sun Valley Chamber of CommercePast President of Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce Have also served on the boards of Associated Terrier Breeders, Have also served on the boards of Associated Terrier Breeders,

Animal Safe Haven Foundation, United Chambers of CommerceAnimal Safe Haven Foundation, United Chambers of Commerce