Content
- What is dwarfism in dogs
- Causes of dwarfism in dogs
- Symptoms of a dog with dwarfism
- Diagnosis of a dog with dwarfism
- Differential diagnosis
- clinical diagnosis
- Laboratory analysis
- Other forms of diagnosis
- Treatment for a dog with dwarfism
- Roger the German Shepherd with dwarfism
Dwarfism occurs when there is lack of growth hormone production, a disease that can occur in dogs. It is a process that is diagnosed when the dog is growing in an unexpected way, according to its age and breed.
In addition, hormone deficits that derive from other endocrine processes, such as hypothyroidism or heat-related problems in females, as well as testicular atrophy in males, may occur simultaneously; in addition to dermatological problems and secondary infections. Diagnosis is made with the help of laboratory analysis and the treatment is done with progestagensin order to increase growth hormone.
If you've never seen a dog with dwarfism, here's a picture of a German Shepherd with dwarfism. Beside this furry one, there is another one of the same age, but healthy. We emphasize that both puppies are brothers of the same litter. So, keep reading this PeritoAnimal article to understand everything about a dog with dwarfism - causes, symptoms and treatment, an endocrine problem that can affect our four-legged friends. We hope it's useful.
What is dwarfism in dogs
Dwarfism or pituitary dwarfism in dogs is a endocrine disease in which there is a deficiency of growth hormone (GH) that sometimes occurs along with deficits of hormones generated in the hypothalamus, such as TSH and prolactin.
Such a problem will result in a dog with dwarfism or lead to a lack of normal growth over the months.
Causes of dwarfism in dogs
If you live with a dog with dwarfism, be aware that this is a congenital disease: Puppies inherit it from their parents in an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.
The most predisposed breed appears to be the German Shepherd, although it can also be seen in the Weimaraner, Pinscher and Spitz.
Symptoms of a dog with dwarfism
Symptoms of pituitary dwarfism arise when dogs reach two or three months to live. Before that, they look like normal puppies. However, from this moment on, they will continue with the coat of a chick, then begin to lose their hair causing bilateral alopecia on the trunk and, finally, it will be possible to observe that they will have a reduced size, but proportional. A dog with dwarfism may also have:
- Lengthening of the closure of the epiphyses of the long bones.
- Open fontanelles longer than in a normal dog.
- Penile bone calcification.
- Delay in teething.
- Hyperpigmentation.
- Thin and hypotonic skin.
- Progressive peeling of the skin.
- Comedones and papules on the skin (black spots or irritations).
- Secondary bacterial infections of the skin or respiratory system.
- Hypothyroidism at 2-3 years of age.
- Reproductive alterations: anestrus (absence of heat) in females and testicular atrophy in male puppies.
While dwarfism itself is not deadly, it reduces life expectancy for less than 10 years. However, if your dog doesn't grow, it could be for other reasons, as we explained in this other article about why my dog doesn't grow?
Diagnosis of a dog with dwarfism
The diagnosis of a dog with pituitary dwarfism is based on clinical signs and laboratory diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis
The differential diagnosis of a dog with dwarfism includes the following diseases:
- Juvenile hypothyroidism.
- Hypoadrenocorticism or Addison's disease.
- Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism.
- Juvenile diabetes.
- Malnutrition.
- Portosystemic bypass.
- Gonadal dysgenesis.
- Bone disease.
- Kidney disease.
clinical diagnosis
The clinical diagnosis of a dwarfed dog it is mainly based on the observation of a proportional reduction in the size of the dog according to the characteristics of its breed and age, which usually adds to the other clinical signs we mentioned, such as skin problems.
Laboratory analysis
The laboratory analysis will be based on a blood test with measurement of certain factors and hormones:
- Blood count and biochemistry: the blood count and biochemistry in these dogs are normally normal, although hypophosphatemia, mild hypoalbuminemia and in some cases there may be azotemia (increase in creatinine or urea), as growth hormone deficiency can affect the development of renal glomeruli , responsible for the filtration of urine.
- Hormonal analysis: Thyroid hormone analysis generally reflects an increase in free and total T4, but contrary to what is expected in hypothyroidism which is an increase in TSH, in dogs with dwarfism there is a decrease in TSH due to lack of release from the hypothalamus in this disorder.
- Insulin growth factor analysis: The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) assay is the best way to indirectly reflect growth hormone values. In dogs with dwarfism, IGF-1 is significantly reduced to less than 50 ng/mL.
Other forms of diagnosis
Another way to reach a definitive diagnosis of a dog with dwarfism is through stimulation of the growth hormone release using xylazine or GNRH. In a healthy animal, growth hormone will increase after this administration, however, in dwarfism there is no such effect.
Treatment for a dog with dwarfism
The treatment of canine dwarfism is carried out through the administration of progestogens, such as medroxyprogesterone, in doses of 2.5-5 mg/kg every three weeks in 6 doses. Thereafter, if necessary, it is repeated every 6 weeks. This medicine induces the production of growth hormone in the mammary gland. The dogs must be monitored and checked on a weekly basis. by a veterinarian as this medicine may cause acromegaly or diabetes. Generally, the clinical signs of the skin improve, the adult hair grows and weight gain occurs.
Currently, treatment with bovine, porcine, or human growth hormone is not recommended, as it is not only expensive, it can also cause insulin resistance or hypersensitivity. the administration of thyroid hormones or glucocorticoids should also be considered for a dog with dwarfism if necessary.
Now that you know all about a dog with dwarfism, you might be interested in getting to know 10 toy or small dog breeds. So don't miss the following video:
Roger the German Shepherd with dwarfism
O german shepherd with dwarfism most famous on the internet became known in 2019 after his tutor created an Instagram account to show a little of the pet's routine. There you can see all his cuteness.
Until the closing of this PeritoAnimal article, the profile of Roger, the German shepherd with dwarfism, had more than 134,000 followers.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Dog with Dwarfism - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our Other health problems section.