Down syndrome in dogs is a genetic disorder caused by abnormal cell division, resulting in extra genetic material from chromosome 21, and is popularly known in humans. It is essential that you are aware of your friend’s health, so make frequent visits to the veterinarian, providing all possible prevention.
Genetic Syndromes in Animals: Find Out What They Are!
Now that you know that there is no dog with Down syndrome, it’s time to learn about other syndromes and genetic disorders that can affect the health of dogs.
Below is a summary of the main genetic syndromes and genetic alteration problems that can affect dogs!
Turner Syndrome
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Turner syndrome is also called XO syndrome. Puppies with Turner syndrome are always female and do not develop sexually, remaining infertile.
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Usually, the suspicion of Turner syndrome happens in female dogs that have not had a heat despite being of advanced age.
Klinefelter Syndrome
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Also known as Triple X syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome affects male puppies, leaving them with wider hips, stunted testicles, and infertility.
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It is important to highlight that, in addition to genetic syndromes, dogs can also show genetic alterations and be, for example, hermaphrodites.
Down syndrome dog: Three explanations are possible
- These types of chromosomal abnormalities often lead to ■■■■■■■■■ death in dogs.
- The genetic tests necessary to identify dogs with Down syndrome are simply not done.
- The condition doesn’t exist.
Conditions that appear to be Down syndrome
On the other hand, congenital or developmental conditions are routinely diagnosed in dogs that have some clinical similarities to Down syndrome.
Congenital Hypothyroidism is a good example. It is caused by low or absent thyroid hormone levels at birth and early in life, resulting in a combination of the following:
Slow growth that ultimately results in short stature
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Broad head
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Large, prominent tongue
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Short members
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Abnormal gait
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Poor muscle tone
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Mental dullness
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Delayed opening of the eyes and ears
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Late tooth eruption
Other conditions that could be mistaken for Down syndrome in dogs include pituitary dwarfism, congenital hydrocephalus, growth hormone deficiency, and portosystemic shunt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How to know if a dog has Down syndrome?
From a physical point of view, all these animals share irregular features in the snout, ahead slightly smaller than the average of their breed, and crossed eyes, along with a somewhat immature character.
What animals have Down syndrome?
The animals may not have Down syndrome although genetic modifications
- The syndrome is a condition that can only occur in humans, since each species has its genetic sequence.
- Yes, it is possible that there are chromosomal trisomies in different species, sometimes with similar symptoms.
What is Down syndrome in cats called?
Syndrome Klinefelter chromosomal abnormality in which the cat male is born with three sex chromosomes (XXY) and is sterile.
What is Down syndrome?
The syndrome is a condition in which the person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes: chromosome 21.
How many chromosomes does the dog have?
According to the doctoral student in Animal Science, Maria Paula Rajão, dogs and cats have a different number of chromosomes than humans, dogs having 39 pairs and cats.
How many genes does a dog have?
Scientists have also shown that more than 974,000 genetic variations in the dog are important to understand which genes are related to diseases.
Conclusion:
After having understood what causes Down syndrome, we have to conclude emphatically that Down Syndrome does not exist in dogs or animals. Down Syndrome as such is a uniquely human disorder.
What does exist in animals are trisomies in other pairs of chromosomes, which cause their carriers various problems, which normally do not resemble the problems that this disease generates in humans.