INHERITED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
Disorders of the musculoskeletal system are among the most studied conditions in veterinary medicine, since many dogs are prone to develop inherited problems of bones and joints. Registries are maintained to evaluate and record such problems in dogs, so that breeders may choose dogs free of these conditions (as much as possible) for breeding programmes. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals (GDC) maintain registries and information databases on orthopedic and other conditions known to be inherited in certain breeds. More information is available at www.offa.org and www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/gdc/gdc.html
Note: In August, 2002, GDC will merge its database with OFA, and will close all its registries except the Eye and Tumor Registries. GDC will continue to provide information and resources to help breeders use shared health information to make good breeding decisions. Article on the GDC/OFA merge
Listed below are the most important musculoskeletal conditions that are believed to have an inherited component.
Cervical vertebral instability (Wobbler syndrome)
Craniomandibular ostopathy - "lion jaw"
Hereditary myopathy - Labrador retriever myopathy, Bouvier des Flandres myopathy
Masticatory myositis - eosinophilic myositis
Osteochondrodysplasia - skeletal dwarfism
Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders Database. All rights reserved.
Revised:August 06, 2002.