Other Health Concerns – Cavalier Doberman Pinscher Club

In addition to dilated cardiomyopathy, here are other health conditions which have been identified in the Doberman Pinscher:

Hip Dysplasia, an inherited conditionm affects many large dog breeds, including Doberman Pinschers. This problem is a result of a malformation of the dog’s hip socket which causes the joint to be loose, instead of fitting tightly together. For more information, see this article in the DPCA’s public education section.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism in Doberman Pinschers usually presents as an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. It’s currently unknown whether this an inherited conidtion. Fortunately, hypothyroidism is one of the more easily treated disorders. For more information, see this article in the DPCA’s public education section.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited disease of the retina in dogs, in which the rod cells in the retina are programmed to die. PRA occurs in both eyes simultaneously and is nonpainful. While there is no cure and no medical treatment for PRA, specific antioxidant supplementation helps support the retinal health of affected dogs. Affected dogs diagnosed with PRA before complete vision loss occurs may be helped by antioxidant support in order to save some day vision. For more information, here is a helpful article.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

Canine von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited deficiency in one of the clotting factors of the blood. It is similar to haemophilia in some respects, but may appear in either male or female. “Carriers” may show no overt symptoms of the disease, but their progeny can have severe bleeding problems. Dogs affected with vWD may have symptoms varying from very mild to severe or lethal. These bleeding problems include prolonged bleeding from toenails cut too short, hemorrhage from even minor surgical procedures, lameness, hematomas, stillbirths or early death of newborn puppies, intestinal bleeding, and so on. The bleeding primarily involves mucosal surfaces (gastrointestinal tract, nose- bleeds, blood in the urine, vaginal or penile bleeding) and is aggravated by stress situations (other physiological, pathological, emotional or hormonal conditions). For more information, see this article in the DPCA’s public education section.

Wobbler’s Syndrome

Wobblers Syndrome (Spondololithesis) is caused by the narrowing or malformation of the spinal cervical vertebrae which causes pressure on the dog’s spinal cord by the lower cervical vertebrae due to either a malformation of the vertebra or a malocclusion (when the vertebrae do not come together properly). The informal name for the syndrome describes it: the dog appears wobbly. Although it usually affects older Dobermans, signs of Wobbler’s might show up in dogs as young as 3 years old. Here is a good resource about Wobblers.

For additional information, here is a link to the Doberman Pinscher Club of America.