From: N51LS801@ncsuvm.cc.ncsu.edu
Subject: Data on Doberman health problems
Organization: North Carolina State University
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 18:04:12 GMT

Questions about doberman pinschers sent to the Doberman Pinscher
Club of America (DPCA) in 7/92:
 
I gather that VWD and thyroid malfunction are the two most
common problems, that cardiomyopathy and CVI continue to be
problems, and that OFA and CERF testing are worthwhile.  (1)
What is the prevalence and severity of these problems? [I have read
that 70% of all dobermans 'have some degree' of VWD! Is the
percentage that high? What percentage have what level of the
condition?  One owner tells me that a problem with VWD testing is
that even dogs with low VWD test results do not necessarily display
symptoms that coincide with their VWD condition.]  (2) Are there
other problems to watch for? (3) How could one best guard against
getting a puppy with these problems?  (4) Are there specific tests for
each that can be done in puppies?  (5) References to relevant
literature would be welcome.
 
Response from Janet L. Fisher, DVM, Biological Defects/Medical
Registry, DPCA:
 
(1)  VWD close to 60%-70% are affected or are carriers. Hip
dysplasia - less than 1%. Thyroid - probably close to 60%-70% -
don't believe there are any statistics. Cardiomyopathy/CVI - no
statistics available - but incidence is considerable compared to other
breeds - definite breed predisposition.
(2) Other problems - chronic skin problems, intestinal disorders,
neurological and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
(3) Buy a puppy whose parents are VWD and thyroid normal, need
to check family background for CVI and cardio - no tests - these
don't show up until later in life.
(4) Puppy should be tested for VWD. Thyroid disorders, CVI,
Cardiomyopathy are impossible to screen for as they show up later
in life.
(5) "Diseases of the Doberman Pinscher" by Dr. Brown - he writes
articles in _The Doberman Quarterly_ [PO Box 367, North Bend,
OR  97459]
 
Additional data from Clay A. Calvert, DVM, "Cardiomyopathy in
Doberman Pinschers," _Pure Bred Dogs/AKC Gazette (June 1989),
64-75:
 
"...approximately 10,000 Doberman Pinschers died of
cardiomyopathy during 1986. Since death certificates are not
prepared when animals die, such estimates are difficult to make and
relatively crude. Nonetheless, one point is clear:  Cardiomyopathy is
a common disease affecting the Doberman Pinscher breed.
Furthermore ... the prevalence of the disease has not changed
appreciably from 1986 through 1988." (67)
"Based on the analysis of approximately 1500 cases of
cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers with congestive heart
failure and 100 Dobermans that died suddenly and unexpectedly,
certain age and sex characteristics of affected dogs were determined.
The average age at the time when congestive heart failure occurred
was  7.5 years. There were no obvious relationships between
cardiomyopathy and the size or color of affected dogs.
Approximately 70 percent of the dogs were male. Seventy-five
percent of the dogs were between five and ten years of age, and
two-thirds were six to eight years of age.  However, whatever the
cause of cardiomyopathy, some dogs do not develop symptoms of
congestive heart failure until 12 to 13 years of age. Thus in these
dogs, the abnormality within the heart muscle cells develops
gradually compared to dogs that develop heart failure at three to
seven years of age. In fact, some Dobermans may be less severely
affected so that they die of other causes at an old age." (68)
 
David Austin, NCSU