Neuropathy in Tibetan Mastiffs
The Tibetan mastiff is a breed of dog, originally from Tibet, which averages 24 to 26 inches in height and 75 to 160 lbs. in weight, depending on gender. Tibetan mastiffs have served as guard dogs, working dogs and simple family dogs. According to Canada's Guide To Dogs, they are thought to be one of the ancestors of several other large dog breeds. Although generally healthy, Tibetan mastiffs can suffer from neuropathy.
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Canine Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy
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Some Tibetan mastiffs suffer from canine inherited demyelinative neuropathy, which is also referred to as CIDN or simply neuropathy. Canine inherited demyelinative neuropathy is a genetic condition which can eventually cause paralysis in a dog's rear legs.
Symptoms and Manifestation
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Tibetan mastiffs who experience CIDN generally show signs of the condition by the time they are six weeks old. The first sign of CIDN is weakness in a puppy's back legs. The legs will appear unusually wobbly, as if the dog cannot keep its balance. According to Canada's Guide To Dogs, the instability of the puppy's rear legs "gradually progresses to complete paralysis of the hind quarters."
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Treatment
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As of 2010 there is no treatment for CIDN. Unfortunately, there is no way to detect the presence of the disease before rear-leg weakness begins, as the puppies are born seemingly normal. According to Dog Time, "Puppies with this condition usually die by the time they are 4 months old."
Breeders
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According to Canada's Guide To Dogs, "Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases." There are breeders of Tibetan mastiffs who claim that their dogs are all free of the CIDN gene. These breeders offer health guarantees of their puppies and will also reimburse a buyer should her puppy become ill with a genetic disorder. However, since signs of CIDN are generally obvious before a puppy is ready for a new home, the odds of a Tibetan mastiff with CIDN living anywhere but with a breeder are very slim.
Other Health Concerns
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Canine inherited demyelinative neuropathy is not the only health issue that Tibetan mastiffs face. According to Dog Breed Info, the breed is also "prone to hip dysplasia, thyroid problems, skin conditions and ear infections." Hip dysplasia, like CIDN, affects the rear legs of a dog and eventually can make walking or simple movements painful and nearly impossible. However, unlike CIDN, hip dysplasia usually does not appear until much later in a dog's life.
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References
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