British Shorthairs are one of the breeds in which hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is seen more often than average, and genetics appear to play a role in at least some affected lines, though the specific mutations responsible have not been identified in this breed as they have in Maine Coons and Ra…
Bengal cats carry a breed-specific, inherited form of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) caused by a recessive gene mutation that leads to gradual, permanent loss of vision, usually starting in a cat's early-to-middle years. There is no cure, but the single most important thing an owner can do is ask…
Border Collies have a genuine, breed-recognised predisposition to idiopathic epilepsy, believed to involve inherited factors passed down within certain lines, meaning seizures can appear even in young, otherwise healthy dogs with no clear cause. The single most important thing to understand is that …
Boston Terriers are one of the breeds most prone to eye trouble because of their flat faces and large, prominent eyes, which leave the cornea exposed and vulnerable to injury, dryness, and ulceration. The single most important thing to know is that eye problems in this breed can progress from mild t…
Beagles are one of the breeds most commonly affected by ear infections because their long, floppy, low-set ears trap warmth and moisture over the ear canal, creating an ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to multiply. The single most important thing to know is that ear infections in Beagles are…
Rottweilers are among the breeds most commonly affected by hip dysplasia because of their heavy, fast-growing frames combined with a genetic predisposition inherited from their working-dog ancestry. The single most important thing an owner should know is that early recognition and careful management…
Persian cats are predisposed to polycystic kidney disease (PKD) because of a well-documented inherited genetic mutation that causes fluid-filled cysts to form within the kidney tissue from birth, gradually enlarging over the years. The single most important thing to understand is that PKD is progres…
Labrador Retrievers are one of the breeds most commonly affected by hip and elbow dysplasia because their rapid growth, heavy muscle mass and inherited joint conformation put unusual strain on developing joints. These are largely inherited conditions, though diet, growth rate and exercise during pup…
Persian cats are prone to eye watering and tear staining because their flattened, brachycephalic faces shorten the tear ducts and distort the eyelids, so tears spill onto the face instead of draining normally down the nose. The single most important thing to understand is that some staining is simpl…
Maine Coons carry a genetic predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease in cats, with a specific genetic mutation identified in the breed that is linked to thickening of the heart muscle. The single most important thing to understand is that HCM can develop sil…
Labrador Retrievers are one of the breeds most likely to become overweight, thanks to a combination of a hearty appetite, a genetic quirk affecting appetite regulation, and their food-motivated, easy-going nature. The single most important thing an owner should know is that keeping your Labrador lea…
German Shepherds are among the breeds most vulnerable to bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), because of their deep, narrow chests, which allow the stomach to fill with gas and twist on itself. This is a genuine veterinary emergency, not something to "wait and see" about — a dog showing sign…
Great Danes are one of the breeds most vulnerable to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV, commonly called "bloat"), a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and may twist upon itself. Their deep, narrow chest allows the stomach to swing and rotate more easily than in breeds with…
German Shepherds carry one of the highest known risks of degenerative myelopathy (DM) because of a genetic mutation (SOD1) that is disproportionately common in the breed, causing a slow, painless deterioration of the spinal cord that mimics ageing or hip problems in its early stages. The single most…
German Shepherds are one of the breeds most strongly associated with hip and elbow dysplasia because of their rapid growth rate, large frame, and a genetic predisposition to abnormal joint development that has been reinforced by decades of selective breeding for a particular body shape. The single m…
Golden Retrievers have one of the highest lifetime cancer rates of any breed, largely due to inherited genetic vulnerabilities rather than anything an owner does wrong. Because several of the cancers they develop grow silently for months, the single most important thing an owner can do is learn what…
Golden Retrievers are one of the breeds most commonly affected by hip dysplasia because their large, fast-growing bodies place enormous stress on hip joints that are already genetically prone to developing loosely. The single most important thing to know is that early recognition and prompt veterina…
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are predisposed to syringomyelia because their skulls are, in evolutionary terms, too small for their brains, a mismatch that disrupts the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord. The single most important thing to know is that this is a genuine welfa…
Dachshunds are one of the breeds most prone to weight gain, largely because their long-backed, short-legged bodies mean even a modest excess of fat places serious strain on the spine. Their small size, love of food, and often modest exercise needs make it easy for extra weight to creep on unnoticed.…
Dachshunds are predisposed to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) because their unique long-backed, short-legged body shape (chondrodystrophy) is linked to a genetic tendency for their spinal discs to degenerate early and rupture suddenly, even during normal, everyday activities. The single most impo…
Bulldogs are one of the breeds most commonly affected by hip dysplasia because of their compact, heavily muscled build, rapid puppy growth, and a gene pool that has historically prioritised looks over structural soundness. The single most important thing to understand is that hip dysplasia is a deve…
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have one of the highest known predispositions to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) of any dog breed, largely due to an inherited structural weakness in the mitral valve tissue itself. The single most important thing to understand is that regular veterinary heart c…
Boxers are one of the breed groups most strongly associated with an inherited heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), often nicknamed "Boxer cardiomyopathy," which causes abnormal heart rhythms and, in some dogs, sudden collapse or death. The single most import…
Bulldogs are among the breeds most prone to skin fold dermatitis because their characteristically wrinkled face, tight tail pocket, and thick facial rope create warm, moist, low-oxygen pockets where bacteria and yeast thrive. The single most important thing to know is that this is a chronic, managea…
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