(Based primarily on information from Control of Canine Genetic Diseases by Dr. George A. Padgett)
The following list describes a number of inherited disorders, which are documented as affecting Newfoundland Dogs Some of these conditions are rare in occurrence, others are relatively common. These diseases range in severity from what may be considered cosmetic in nature, to those that are crippling or life-threatening. They are presented in alphabetical order by disease category and not prioritized in any way. Research has indicated that these disorders are genetically transmitted; however, in some instances, the same condition may also have environmental causes, such as trauma, nutrition or other external factors. Unless proven to be otherwise, the causative factor should be considered to be genetics.
The Newfoundland of America extends its most sincerely gratitude and appreciation to the Bernese Mountain Dog Club and Robin Camken for developing the original format of the listing below and so graciously allowing us to copy their work. Their dedication to the health of dogs is truly outstanding.
Where available, the chart is linked to other websites that provide more information on that specific disorder.
"If people tell you their dogs have never produced a defect, their dogs have probably produced only one litter, they don't follow up on their puppies or what is most likely the case, they are being less than truthful."
-- Dr. George A. Padgett, DVM --
Disease / Condition |
Description |
Digestive System |
Gastric Dilatation-Vovulus
(Bloat & Gastric Torsion) |
Distension and twisting of the stomach. Without immediate treatment, death is common. |
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
Inflamed bowel that interferes with normal bowel function |
| Megaesophagus |
Condition in which the esophagus is enlarged or dilated. Usually dogs with this condition regurgitate food and water. |
Cancer |
Lymphosarcoma
Lymphoma |
A cancerous condition involving the lymphatic system. One of the more common canine cancers |
| Osteosarcoma |
A cancer condition involving the bone. The most common bone cancer |
Endocrine |
| Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism) |
Autoimmune or other causes of destruction of the adrenal glands resulting in a deficiency in production of corticosteroids |
| Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) |
A disease characterized by an excess secretion of cortisosteroids from the adrenal glands.. |
| Hypothyroidism |
An autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland |
Blood and Lymphatic |
| Von Willebrand’s disease |
A type of bleeding disorder caused by defective blood platelet function. Occurs in 59 dog breeds affects both sexes. |
Heart and Vascular |
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
(PDA) |
Failure of the vessel remnant joining the aorta and pulmonary artery to close properly at birth, thereby shunting blood away from the lungs. |
| Pulmonic Stenosis |
A condition where one of the valves of the heart does not open properly |
Subaortic Stenosis
(SAS) |
A tightening of the outflow opening for blood to go from the heart into the aorta. Causes murmurs, weakness, and sudden death. |
| Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis |
Same as Subaortic Stenosis above but the tightening occurs below the aortic valve. |
| Cardiomyopathy |
A disease of weakened heart muscles. Common in giant breeds. |
Immune System |
| Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) |
The immune system attacks its own red blood cells, causing severe anemia and possibly death. |
| Lymphocytic thyroiditis |
An autoimmune disease causing inflammation and destruction of the thyroid gland, which becomes infiltrated with lymphocytes (white blood cells) and leads to hypothyroidism. This is the most common endocrine disease of the dog. |
| Myasthenia gravis |
A syndrome characterized by muscle fatigue due to an autoimmune disease which produces chemical abnormalities of the muscles and nerves. An enlarged esophagus called megaesophagus can result and causes regurgitation of food. |
| Thrombocytopenia |
A reduced number of platelets in the blood which causes pinpoint hemorrhages in the skin and mucosa. Often accompanies hemolytic anemia as an autoimmune syndrome called Evans Syndrome |
| Thyroiditis |
An autoimmune inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland |
Hair and Skin |
| Acute moist dermatitis |
Known as “hotspots,” a localized area of severely itchy, inflamed and oozing dermatitis exacerbated by the animal’s intense licking and chewing at the spot. |
| Dermoid Cyst |
A small growth composed of skin-like structures |
Neurologic Diseases |
| Epilepsy |
A disease characterized by convulsions (seizures) and/or disturbances of consciousness |
OcularDisease |
| Cataracts |
A change in structure of the lens of the eye leading to cloudiness and usually to blindness. |
| Ectropion |
An abnormal rolling out of the eyelids. |
| Entropion |
An abnormal rolling in of the eyelid. |
Eversion of nictitating membrane
(Cherry Eye) |
A condition where the third eyelid is protruding, also known as cherry eye |
Reproductive |
| Cryptorchidism |
A condition in which one or both testicles do not fully descend into the scrotum. The condition may be presented in two forms: 1.) Unilateral cryptorchidism refers to the normal descent of a singular testis. 2.) Bilateral cryptorchidism results in the retention of both testes. |
Skeletal |
| Cruciate Ligament Rupture |
Rupture of anterior or posterior ligaments in the stifle (knee) joint. |
| Elbow Dysplasia |
An abnormal development of the elbow joint, includes ununited anconeal process (UAP), fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) and osteochondrosis of the medial condyle of the humerus (OCD). |
| Hip Dysplasia |
Abnormal formation of the hip socket; causes rear-limb lameness. |
| Luxating Patella |
A condition where the knee caps slide in and out of place. An affected dog may appear knock-kneed or cow-hocked. Lameness may be evident. |
Osteochondritis Dissecan (OCD)
(Shoulder) |
Developmental diseases resulting in abnormal formulation of joint cartilage. |
| Panosteitis (Pano, Enostosis) |
A painful inflammatory bone disease of young, rapidly growing dogs, typically 6-18 months of age. |
Urinary |
| Cystinuria |
An abnormal excretion of a substance (cystine) in the urine |
| Ectopic Ureters |
The ureters (tubes leading from the kidneys to the bladder) do not empty into the bladder in the normal location. |
a.Control of Canine Genetic Diseases by GeorgeA. Padgett; MacMillan Publishing Company; New York, NY, Copyright © 1998 ISBN: 0876050046
b. A Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs Publishedby The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, P.O. Box 208, Davis, CA95617-0208, August 1997
c. CONSULTANT: A Diagnostic SupportSystem For Veterinary Medicine by Dr. Maurice E. White, Cornell VeterinaryMedicine, Ithaca, NY, Copyright ©1999
