There is a lot of overlap between human beings and dogs when it comes to health issues. Like human beings, dogs also experience the Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a health condition that is caused by full or partial duplication of the chromosomes 21. Although dogs have 39 chromosomes, there is a possibility of duplication.
Any chromosome duplication will cause abnormality to the canine. Dogs with Down syndrome suffer from poor eyesight, cardiac-related diseases, unusual physical features, and hearing problems.
Here are some tips on how to know your dog has Down syndrome.
Poor Eyesight
One of the signs to check for Down syndrome in canine is their eyesight. Dogs have sharp eyesight. When your dog has poor eyesight, the chances are high that it has the condition. If the condition is not given attention, the dog may develop cataracts in one or both eyes. To know if your dog is developing a cataract, look for cloudiness in the pupil.
Unusual Physical Appearance
Duplication of chromosomes abnormally leads to body development. A dog with Down syndrome will always have an abnormality. You may find that your dog has a flat face, short neck, deformed legs, among many others. Any biological body abnormality is a sign of Down syndrome.
Skin Problems
Dogs with down syndrome has missing skin patches and heavy shedding. If other cases, the dogs develop allergic reactions and are sensitive to minor touches. Apart from allergic, the dog can also develop serious skin diseases.
Congenital Heart Disease
Most dogs with the condition have a complicated and malfunctioning circulatory system. When you find your dog has congenital heart diseases check for a veterinary to help you out. They are born with that condition.
Hearing problems
Any canine with this condition will develop a hearing problem. When you can take the dog by its name and experience that they are not responding, that's a hint that your dog has the condition. Usually when you call a dog by its name, it will either wag the tail. The sign can also be a sign of another disease and thus the need to check for other symptoms before making a conclusion.
Behavior Issues
The behavior is one of the best traits to know if your dog has Down syndrome. You will find that the dog finds it difficult to feed, has attributes such as wailing, howling, and whining, among others. If your dog can not be able to hold the bladder, it's another sign that you should visit a vet.
Random Pain
With multiple chromosomes duplication, your dog's internal organs may overgrow. The growth will lead to severe pain, which makes your dog to be restless. The internally overgrown organs will create their own space, which leads to stretching and squeezing other organs. All this leads to severe pain.
Thyroid Issues
The study has it that dogs with Down syndrome have abnormally low temperatures compared to normal and healthy dogs. All this is related to the fact that the dog suffers from thyroid. The thyroid is responsible for body metabolism, which controls the body temperatures.
When you get any of this sign with your canine, make sure to call a veterinary to save your dog from pain. Any physical appearance abnormality can be a sign of the condition. Dogs with Down syndrome needs special care and attention, be sure to treat it with care and love.
