Dog

Malignant hyperthermia, also known as canine stress syndrome, is a potentially fatal genetic disorder. The clinical signs of malignant hyperthermia are extreme muscle contractions, increased heart rate and fever. These symptoms are triggered by certain anaesthetics such as halothane, but also by intense exercise and certain foods. Malignant hyperthermia can be tested for in any breed, but is most commonly found in the breeds listed below.

Intervertebral disc disease is a premature abnormal degeneration of the intervertebral discs. In chondrodystrophic breeds, premature calcification of the nucleus pulposus causes disc degeneration in young dogs. These abnormal discs are prone to herniation into the spinal canal where inflammation and bleeding can cause severe pain and neurological dysfunction called intervertebral disc disease. This condition can lead to the death of the animal. IVDD can be tested for in any breed, but is most commonly found in the breeds listed below.

Neuro-axonal dystrophy is a rare inherited neurological disorder observed in the Spanish Water Dog.
Signs appear between six and eleven months of age and progress slowly, including gait abnormalities, behavioral changes, and sometimes incontinence.
On examination, a slight head tilt, moderate ataxia, reduced reflexes, and other neurological problems such as sensory, visual, or muscular deficits can be observed.
The disease is severe and multifocal, and affected dogs are generally euthanized before the age of two. This test is also recommended for the Lagotto Romagnolo as part of the Flemish government’s breeding program (see the official program).

Multifocal CMR3 retinopathy is a genetic disease that causes multiple tears and detachments of the retina. In mild cases, the dog often shows no vision problems despite the abnormal appearance of the retina.

Progressive retinal atrophy (IFT122) is a genetic disease of the Finnish Lapphund that causes gradual degeneration of the retina, primarily affecting night vision. Early signs include night blindness and diffuse tapetal hyperreflectivity, detectable through an ophthalmologic examination. The disease generally progresses slowly, and some dogs may retain partial vision at an advanced age.

This test is also recommended for the Finnish Lapphund as part of the breeding program implemented by the Flemish government (see official program).

Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease type II) is a genetic disorder that disrupts glucose metabolism, leading to excessive glycogen accumulation in the body. Affected dogs develop progressive muscle weakness, cardiac hypertrophy, and may present with megaesophagus accompanied by regurgitation and vomiting. This disease often causes severe cardio-respiratory complications and typically leads to premature death around 18 months of age.

Hereditary nasal parakeratosis is a genetic disease in Greyhounds that affects corneogenesis, causing abnormal thickening of the stratum corneum of the nose’s epidermis. The main symptoms include a thickened, dry, and rough nose, often covered with crusts and showing cracks. The condition can cause local discomfort and, in some cases, pain if the cracks are deep.

This test is also recommended for Salukis as part of the breeding program implemented by the Flemish government (see official program).

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by a defect in the platelet glycoprotein αIIbβ3, which is essential for platelet aggregation.
Without this functional glycoprotein, the platelet plug forms poorly, leading to excessive bleeding after trauma or surgical procedures.

Spastic ataxia is a neurological disease described in the Great Pyrenees. It is characterized by degeneration of the central nervous system associated with peripheral nerve involvement. Clinical signs often begin as early as 4 months of age. Affected dogs show loss of coordination (ataxia) and progressive muscle stiffness. The condition progresses slowly over several years.

Glycogen storage disease is a severe genetic disorder of glycogen metabolism, causing glycogen accumulation mainly in the liver. Affected dogs show severe hepatomegaly, fasting hypoglycemia, failure to thrive, and may progress to coma and death.
The G6PC gene mutation strongly reduces enzyme activity, disrupting the production of glucose from glucose-6-phosphate.
Histologically, the liver shows vacuolated hepatocytes filled with glycogen.