Though canines can’t have Down Syndrome, they’ll have genetic circumstances—comparable to canine congenital hypothyroidism, pituitary dwarfism, and congenital hydrocephalus—which will seem comparable. Credit score: Nan Liu | Getty Photographs
Everyone knows that our canines may be troubled with lots of the identical illnesses and circumstances that we people endure from: the flu, allergic reactions, GI upsets, and—at the least for me—the opportunity of stumbling over or slipping on an object and ending up with one thing like a torn ligament. Then there are the illnesses with genetic parts like sure cancers, epilepsy, kidney illness, and diabetes, simply to call a number of.
However there are some circumstances—particularly genetic ones—which are distinctive to people. One in all them is Down Syndrome. So, the reply to the query within the title is: No, canines can’t have Down Syndrome.
Why Doesn’t Down Syndrome Have an effect on Canines?
The reply lies in genetics, which is how traits are handed down from one technology to the subsequent. These traits are present in DNA, chromosomes, and the genome. DNA is the molecule within the cell nucleus that accommodates genetic directions for all dwelling organisms. Chromosomes, which are available in pairs (one from the daddy and one from the mom) are comprised of DNA and a protein. All of an organism’s genes make up the genome, which is exclusive to every organism.
Genetically, now we have many similarities with our canines—in reality, we share virtually 85 p.c of our DNA with canines—however there are additionally some essential variations. The principle distinction is that canines have 39 units of chromosomes (78 in whole), whereas people have 23 units, for a complete of 46. Down Syndrome occurs when there’s a full or partial copy of chromosome 21, bringing the full to 47. As a result of canines have a complete of 78 chromosomes, there isn’t a equal to the human twenty first chromosome in a canine’s genetic make-up.
Different Canine Genetic Abnormalities that Mimic Down Syndrome
Whereas canines can’t have Down Syndrome, they’ll possess chromosomal abnormalities that result in circumstances just like that dysfunction. These embody developmental disabilities, issue with coordination, in addition to distinct bodily options comparable to a flattened face, shorter limbs, and smaller stature. One instance is canine congenital hypothyroidism, which is attributable to low or absent ranges of thyroid hormone at delivery, leading to sluggish development, a big and protruding tongue, brief limbs, and cognitive delay.
There are different circumstances in canines that may very well be confused with Down Syndrome. These embody pituitary dwarfism, which comes with elevated threat of kidney illness, dental points, and listening to loss; congenital hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid within the mind that causes mind dysfunction; deficiency of development hormone; and portosystemic shunt, which ends up in stunted development, poor muscle growth, and irregular behaviors comparable to disorientation and circling, staring into house, and seizures.
Genetic Similarities Between People and Canines
Typically, the impact of a shared gene is an identical between people and canines, as is the case with EPAS1. Sparked by low-oxygen circumstances, this gene stimulates the physique’s responses to hypoxia—low oxygen ranges in physique tissues—at excessive altitudes and is shared by individuals dwelling within the 16,000-foot-elevation Tibetan Plateau and the canines that reside there. Equally, the EPS8L2 gene is concerned in childhood deafness, in addition to listening to loss in Rhodesian Ridgeback canines.
Different instances, the shared gene’s affect is analogous, however not precisely the identical. One instance is a defect within the SCN3A gene, which impacts human speech growth. In canines, nevertheless, genetic adjustments close to the canine equal of the SCN3A gene are related to frequent howling. Howling will not be the identical as speech, however maybe they’re two sides of an analogous coin!
Some Frequent Canine Genetic Issues
Greater than 900 inherited issues have been recognized in canines. Listed here are a few of the most prevalent:
Allergy symptoms
Each pores and skin and inside allergic reactions are quite common in canines, as they’re in people. One particularly prevalent inherited allergy is atopic dermatitis (a power pores and skin situation that causes intense itching), generally attributable to allergic reactions to substances within the setting comparable to pollens. Some canines are additionally genetically predisposed to growing meals allergic reactions; roughly 10 p.c of canines develop itchy or power pores and skin issues on account of meals allergic reactions. The most typical pet food allergens are proteins comparable to rooster, beef, dairy, lamb, and eggs, together with wheat and soy.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia, mostly seen in massive canines, is a deformity of the hip that causes irregular looseness of the hip joint, resulting in degenerative joint illness or osteoarthritis. Though hip dysplasia is most frequently genetic, it may also be affected by elements comparable to weight-reduction plan, setting, train, development price, muscle mass, and hormones.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes is a illness during which the cells of the pancreas both cease producing insulin or can now not produce sufficient quantities of it. The most typical type of canine diabetes is just like human sort 1 diabetes, requiring lifelong insulin remedy. Most frequently seen in older canines, the chance of growing the illness varies between totally different canine breeds; analysis means that genetic elements contribute to an animal’s susceptibility to growing diabetes.
Mitral Valve Illness
Mitral valve illness (MVD), the commonest genetic heart problems in canines, represents 75 p.c of all canine cardiovascular issues. MVD is a power, degenerative coronary heart situation that impacts the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of a canine’s coronary heart. In research, as much as 30 p.c of canines with MVD will progress to coronary heart failure and dying as a consequence of the illness.
Hereditary Cancers
Whereas not all cancers are hereditary, some canines carry particular genes that predispose them to growing sure kinds of most cancers. Probably the most incessantly recognized inherited canine cancers are lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumor, and osteosarcoma. It’s usually believed that canines develop most cancers about twice as incessantly as people.
Ultimately, in case you’ve been anxious that your canine could have Down Syndrome, you may relaxation assured that he doesn’t. Nonetheless, in case your pup shows any indicators just like human Down Syndrome, contact your veterinarian for an intensive analysis.
