Genetic DisordersGenetic Disorders

American Staffordshire Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier

Introduction Introduction

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

Eye DisordersEye DisordersProgressive retinal atrophyProgressive retinal atrophy: : deterioration of the retinal cells causes blindness. deterioration of the retinal cells causes blindness. Generalized PRA - early onset:Generalized PRA - early onset: The first sign is generally failing night vision, as The first sign is generally failing night vision, as early as 6 weeks of age, and this progresses to complete loss of vision by about 1 - 2 early as 6 weeks of age, and this progresses to complete loss of vision by about 1 - 2 years of age. Collies may retain some vision until the age of 2 - 3 years. In miniature years of age. Collies may retain some vision until the age of 2 - 3 years. In miniature schnauzers, poor night vision usually develops later (6 months to a year) and there is schnauzers, poor night vision usually develops later (6 months to a year) and there is advanced loss of vision by 3 to 4 years. Affected Alaskan malamutes are day-blind advanced loss of vision by 3 to 4 years. Affected Alaskan malamutes are day-blind (hemeralopia) at 8 to 10 weeks of age; night vision is never affected.(hemeralopia) at 8 to 10 weeks of age; night vision is never affected.

Generalized PRA (progressive rod-cone degeneration) - late onset:Generalized PRA (progressive rod-cone degeneration) - late onset: Generally Generally night blindness is noticed between 2 and 5 years of age (depending on the breed) night blindness is noticed between 2 and 5 years of age (depending on the breed) progressing to total blindness within a year or so. Peripheral vision is lost first.progressing to total blindness within a year or so. Peripheral vision is lost first.

Central PRA (CPRA) - retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy (RPED): Central PRA (CPRA) - retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy (RPED): Loss of vision Loss of vision occurs much more slowly than in generalized PRA, without initial night blindness. occurs much more slowly than in generalized PRA, without initial night blindness. Affected dogs may not lose vision completely. Because the changes are in the centre Affected dogs may not lose vision completely. Because the changes are in the centre of the retina, affected dogs initially have trouble locating still objects in bright light. of the retina, affected dogs initially have trouble locating still objects in bright light.

CataractsCataracts: : Can be congenital, juvenile or as a result of old age Can be congenital, juvenile or as a result of old age

Musculoskeletal DisordersMusculoskeletal Disorders

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

Reproductive DisordersReproductive Disorders

Disorders of sexual development - sexual reversalDisorders of sexual development - sexual reversal Affected animals are infertile (so that your apparently Affected animals are infertile (so that your apparently female dog will not come into heat), and may have female dog will not come into heat), and may have chronic irritation in the genital area, which may look chronic irritation in the genital area, which may look abnormal to you. Your veterinarian will typically suspect abnormal to you. Your veterinarian will typically suspect one of these conditions when s/he notices an one of these conditions when s/he notices an abnormality such as clitoral enlargement or an abnormal abnormality such as clitoral enlargement or an abnormal penis during physical examination of your dog, or if a penis during physical examination of your dog, or if a breeding dog is being examined for infertility. To breeding dog is being examined for infertility. To diagnose the specific condition requires your veterinarian diagnose the specific condition requires your veterinarian to evaluate both internal (generally at the time of spay) to evaluate both internal (generally at the time of spay) and external sex organs, and send away a blood or other and external sex organs, and send away a blood or other cell sample from your dog for karyotyping, which cell sample from your dog for karyotyping, which identifies the chromosomes identifies the chromosomes

Skin DisordersSkin Disorders

Demodicosis/ Demodectic mangeDemodicosis/ Demodectic mange is a mite that is present in small is a mite that is present in small numbers in the skin of most healthy dogs. Nursing puppies acquire numbers in the skin of most healthy dogs. Nursing puppies acquire the mite from their mothers during the first few days of life, and in the mite from their mothers during the first few days of life, and in most dogs there will never be any associated problems.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

In ConclusionIn ConclusionAmerican Staffordshire Terriers have 5 health concerns Disorders relatively common in this breed are : Demoectic Mange.

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

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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 TerriersMy 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 ClubPast President of Sun Valley Chamber of CommercePast President of Sun Valley Chamber of CommerceHave 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