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Genetic Health Concerns
© Shannon Ford 1997 Hip DysplasiaHip Dysplasia has been reduced in the Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon. In 1996, the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) estimated the current percentage of dysplastic dogs at 7.2%. The percentage of OFA Excellent ratings was 19.6%. These figures can be somewhat misleading, as not all x-rays for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are submitted to OFA for certification. Another method of Hip Evaluation is with PennHip , view info at http://www.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip Hip Dysplasia can be caused by a number of things but most often indicates a hip joint structure that cannot withstand normal use. This could mean a shallow socket, or a ball that is not smooth and round. Hip Dysplasia is polygenic, meaning that many genes affect the hip structure and it isnot a simple Genetic problem to get rid of. All Wire-Haired Pointing Griffons should be radiographically cleared of Hip Dysplasia at two years of age. This is a minimum requirement for breeding. View Muse and Bonny getting their PennHip Evaluations http://www.griffonpoint.com/pennhip.htm Elbow Problems Not as common as Hip Dysplasia, but Elbow Problems have occurred in Griffons. Griffons have good bone structure and strength. This is from their long time use as a hunting dog, since Griffons who were not structurally sound did not get used for breeding. Other Structure ProblemsThe only other Orthoepaedic problem that I have come across is a back problem (degenerative disk disease) in a younger Griffon. It is not clear whether this was a genetic trait or a congenital defect. Some Griffons can be affected by Panoestitis, or Growing Pains. Pano is basically the inflamation of the long bones. This can happen any time during the growth of the dog, usually indicated by a sudden lameness. If your Griffon is affected by Pano, it is best diagnosed with anX-Ray, as most Griffons will not give the usual pain response that Veterinarians look for. On ascale from 1 - 10, Pano is expressed as an 11 for the dog that has a long bone palpatated, yet a Griffon will not show pain, instead he will normally lick the hand that hurts him. Pano is easily diagnosed with an X-Ray, with the inflamed bone showing up as a glowing white area. Entropian EyelidsEntropian is the curling in of the eyelids. Entropian Eyelids will cause the hair to rub against the dog's eye. Another polygenic genetic problem, with many genes contributing to the disorder, this is a more common genetic problem in Griffons. Entropian is a very painful disorder for the dog, requiring delicate surgery to prevent eye damage. With an Entropian eye, the eyelids may roll in as early as 8 - 10 weeks or could roll in between 4 to 6 months, however this can occur even when the Griffon is a year of age or older. The Griffon's eyes will water excessively, and you may notice that he paws at his eye to try to relieve the discomfort. Sometimes, with a younger Griffon, straightening the skin with a temporary suture will give the head a chance to grow, and this may let the puppy grow out of the disorder. Normally, the veterinarian will apply medication to the eye initially to rule out environmental causes for the entropian before suggesting surgery. Most commonly, Entropian starts as Intermittent Entropian (with the eyelids sometimes positioned normally), advances to Entropian, and requires surgery. Ectropian EyelidsSeen less often in Wire-Haired Pointing Griffons. Ectropian is the drooping or curling out of the eyelids, causing dry eyes, and accumulation of foreign debris. Ectropian is also surgically correctable for the health of the dog. This is seldom Intermittent, and may become more obvious with age. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)PRA, a form of hereditary blindness, is relatively unknown in the Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon. PRA in Griffons is early onset, either seen in puppies (6 months) or by 5 years. To prevent PRA or any other genetic eye disease from becoming more common, annual eye examinations are recommended for breeding dogs. ERG's are available for early diagnosis of PRA, this is a more involved Eye Examination that requires that the Griffon be sedated and the test results are in graph form, showing the levels of light that are percieved by the Griffon. In the two Griffons that we have tested with ERG's, the waves were very similar to those waves found in Pointers. If you are interested in more information on ERG's, or if you want to compare your Griffon's Graphs with ours, please contact us. CataractsCataracts are rare, but can be seen occasionally. If your Griffon is affected with hereditary Cataracts, you will find that they occur in both eyes in about the same location. Cataracts brought on by old age may occur in one eye or the other.
Umbilical HerniaThere are two causes of Umbilical Hernias. One cause is the mother pulling on the umbilical cord too roughly when the puppies are being whelped. The other cause is genetic, with the constricting ring at the entrance of the umbilical cord closing imcompletely. This can be easily corrected by surgery, If the hernia is so large that you can put your finger through the opening and into the body cavity, the surgery should be done sooner rather than later. The mode of inheritance is unclear, however appears that it may be a dominant trait. Misaligned DentitionSometimes the teeth of a Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon do not mesh properly, resulting in a crooked bite, or an overshot bite. An ideal "bite pattern" is a scissors bite. A Griffon puppy will typically have a later maturing dentition, with adult teeth present by 6 months of age. Griffon CoatSo important is the proper Griffon coat to the function of the dog, that the description is included in the name of the Breed in North America. Perhaps because one of Korthal's first Griffons (Janus) was a soft coated Griffon, the odd soft or wooly coated Griffon still turns up today. For photographs and comprehensive discussion on coat types and genetics visit the WirehairedPointing Griffon Coat Page. PigmentLack of correct pigment can also be a genetic problem. This can occur in the coat, the toenails, the iris (eye) or even the nose. Below is an example of lack of correct pigment in the nose of a Griffon, along side normally pigmented nose.
Many thanks to the Veterinarians who have consulted with me, and to the Griffon Breeders and Owners who have shared this information which is vital to a healthy future for our Griffons. References and Online Genetics Resources Online Genetics Resources -
Books on Canine Health and Genetics Breeding Better Dogs, Kyle Onstatt, Howell 1983, ISBN 0-87605-400-9 Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, Carlson, DVM & Giffin MD, Howell 1992, ISBN0-87605-537-4 Genetics of the Dog, Malcolm B. Willis, Howell 1989, ISBN 0-87605-551-X Practical Genetics for Dog Breeders, Malcolm B. Willis, Howell 1992, ISBN 0-87605-782-2 Your Dog, His Health and Happiness, Louis L. Vine, DVM, ARCO 1982 ISBN 0-668-02876-9 |
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