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YOUR CART

HEALTH

Juvenile Laryngeal
Paralysis and Polyneuropathy

​BRT Health Information Survey
Please participate in the OFA Health Survey by completing one survey for each BRT you have owned.
​This assists in learning which health issues need to be considered for future research.
Uric Acid Stone Information
Cornell University Black Russian Terrier DNA Database Information and Hip Dysplasia Health Study







CHIC
Canine Health
Information Website



OFA Breed Statistics


AKC Registration Statistics


Health Survey Results

The initial results are available for download either in Excel or pdf version and in the full version, or just the summary version.  This study is ongoing, so please continue to submit information.  The results will be updated annually, and additional surveys will be posted on specific items of interest.
Health Survey Results.xlsx
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: xlsx
Download File

Survey Results Summary.xlsx
File Size: 20 kb
File Type: xlsx
Download File

Health Survey Results.pdf
File Size: 291 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Health Survey Results Summary.pdf
File Size: 186 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


                                                Black Russian Terrier (BRT) Health Information Sheet 
  
The Black Russian Terrier is a very  robust and generally healthy dog.  The primary problem in the breed  is the prevalence of Hip and Elbow Dysplasia,  which is a problem in many large breed dogs. Prospective buyers should not only question the breeding stock, but also ask to see the results of hip and elbow testing and familiarize themselves with ratings associated with the tests. In keeping with the spirit of the BRTCA Code of Ethics, BRT breeders are encouraged  to inform puppy buyers of developmental conditions, that may or may not be  hereditary or genetic, that are known to exist in BRTs, as well as methods to  test and/or monitor some of these conditions. 
 
It is hoped this information sheet  will guide buyers to ask pertinent questions, encourage their review of testing  certifications and enable them to make educated decisions before purchasing a BRT.  The following list is merely a guideline of health problems  that can appear in canines in general and does not point to specific problems in  the Black Russian Terrier. 
 
STRUCTURAL/JOINT PROBLEMS 
Anterior Cruciate  Ligament (ACL) Rupture-  The knee along with the external support (i.e., collateral leg) has two ligaments inside the joint that help prevent forward movement (i.e., cruciate).  Insult/injury can cause this ligament to rupture and result in acute lameness (the animal will not want to bear weight) on the affected limb.
 
Elbow Dysplasia - Elbow dysplasia encompasses several different conditions, all of which are indicative of abnormally formed or fused elbow joints and all can result in lameness and pain for the animal: 
 
Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP)- This form of elbow dysplasia is generally the most difficult to treat if the  fragments are actually loose in the joint.
 
Osteochrondritis Dissecans (OCD) - A nutritionally based developmental disease.  It is separation of joint cartilage caused by too rapid growth. It is known to occur in elbows, shoulders, hocks and stifles but it can occur anywhere in the body.  It is a defect in the cartilage overlaying or attaching to the bone.

Ununited Anconeal  Process (UAP) - In BRTs  the Anconeal Process can close later than in smaller breeds, as late as one year  of age.

Hip Dysplasia - Hip dysplasia is a painful condition caused by abnormally formed hips.  The animal becomes lame in the hind quarters due to the pain associated with the 
degeneration of the hips.  
Hip  Dysplasia information.
 
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) - A nutritionally based developmental disease that manifests with toes turning in or out, roached toplines, pinched rears, and in advanced stages fever, lethargy,  pain in joints, inability to stand or function.  This is a problem of intake in  calories versus output of energy - too many calories consumed and/or unbalanced  diet disrupted by supplementing.
 
Panosteitis (Pano  or Wandering Lameness) - Another nutritionally based developmental problem associated with too rapid growth.  Lameness can occur in one limb or over time in all limbs.  It is self-limiting and spontaneously disappears.
 
EYE PROBLEMS 
Cataract - Lens opacity  that may in part or in total affect one or both eyes.  Blindness results when cataracts are complete and in both eyes.
Distichiasis - Eyelashes abnormally located in the eyelid margin which may cause ocular irritation. 
Ectropion -  Conformational defect resulting in eversion of the eyelids, which may cause ocular irritation due to exposure.
Entropion -  Conformational defect where eyelid margin inverts, or rolls inward, toward the eye causing eyelashes and hair to rub against the cornea resulting in ocular 
irritation. 
Macroblepharon - Abnormally large eyelid opening; may lead to secondary conditions associated with corneal  exposure.
Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM) - Persistent blood vessel remnants in the anterior chamber of the eye which fail to regress normally in the neonatal period. · Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - Degenerative disease of the retinal visual cells which leads to blindness.  In BRTs the age at which PRA can be detected varies from as young as 6 months to as late as 42 months. Typically BRTs with PRA go blind gradually, first loosing their night vision and then their day vision. Many do not go completely blind until they are 8 years old or older. 
Retinal Dysplasia - Abnormal  development of the retina present at birth and recognized to have three forms:  folds, geographic, and detachment.  A BRT with just folds will pass CERF and the folds may disappear over time.
 
MISCELLANEOUS OTHER PROBLEMS IN CANINES 
 
Cancer - Most forms of cancer have been diagnosed in some members of the breed.   Probably some forms of cancer are hereditary while others occur spontaneously or even due to environmental toxins.

Cystinuria - (from Dr. Giger's description of Cystinuria): Cystinuria is an inherited metabolic disease caused by a defective kidney transporter for cystine and some other amino acids. Because cystine readily precipitates in acid urine crystals and later calculi (stones) can form in the kidney and bladder. These calculi can result in serious illness,  especially in males. Cystinuric animals may show recurrent clinical signs of a urinary tract disorder from a few months of age until late in life.

Epilepsy - seizure disorder which can have multiple causes.   Age of onset of the inherited form is 6 months to 5 years of age.  Generally difficult to treat successfully in large breeds.  There are two research efforts at this time.

Gastric Dilation,  Torsion, Volvulus (Bloat)  - Bloat is a killer of giant breed  animals. Without warning, the stomach fills with air (dilation), can twist 180  degrees (torsion) on its long axis, or more than 180 degrees (volvulus) thereby cutting off blood and oxygen to vital organs. Bloat can be primary or secondary,  caused by emotional or physical stress, improper nutrition or feeding habits,  guzzling water, inappropriate exercise, as well as other causes that we do not  understand. Every large dog owner needs to familiarize themselves with bloat  symptoms and have a plan of action to get the animal to an emergency medical  facility at the onset of the first symptom. A dog that is bloating has  approximately 3 hours to live without medical intervention.  Bloat is not a widespread problem in the breed, but it has happened. For more information on bloat http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm.

Heart  Disease - The most common heart problems are aortic stenosis, mitral valve dysplasia and cardiomyopathy. Early detection and treatment are essential for a good prognosis.  Many dogs have heart murmurs that are mild and not a cause for concern.  If a heart murmur is detected it is essential to have it checked to see  if it is an "innocent" murmur or a serious problem.
 
Hypothyroidism - Hypothyroidism is the result of an abnormally functioning thyroid gland resulting in a lower than normal level of thyroid hormone (T3 or T4). This lack of thyroid hormone can have serious health consequences including coat and skin problems, intolerance to cold, weight gain or loss, infertility, sudden aggression, and immune system malfunctions.  The inherited form is autoimmune thyroiditis where the body's own immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland or reduces it's function.   Autoimmune thyroiditis is diagnosed by measuring the FT4D, cTSH & TgAA.   Acquired hypothyroidism can be caused by various problems such as stress for long periods of time, poor nutrition, prolonged infections, and chemical  agents. 

Addison's Disease -  Auto Immune disease of the adrenal glands. While  Addison's Disease might not be hereditary, various autoimmune diseases will  appear in the line.   Without proper treatment Addisons is fatal.  Main symptoms  are vomiting, loose stools, lethargy, depression, weight loss.  Electrolytes  become unbalanced. 
Blood work will show renal failure.  Treatment is daily  prednisone to replace cortisol that the adrenal glands are not producing and  once a month shot of Percorten-V.  With treatment a normal lifespan is expected.
 
Hyperuricurosia -  Urate Bladder Stones.  The Black Russian  Terrier has been involved in a study of this disease by the University of  California/Davis.  A test has been developed to identify whether dogs are clear of the identifying allele, carry one copy of the allele (and are carriers of  the disease), or carry 2 copies of the allele and have the potential to  be affected with the disease.  Since the problem is a relatively recent development, much is not yet known about the factual numbers of dogs who turn up as affected that really go on to develop the problem, or if the current known allele marker is the only factor influencing the formation of stones. Puppies can be tested at birth and breeder will be able to disclose results to any prospective buyer.  For more information you may visit  http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/Hyperuricosuria.php.



 

Testing  Information: Organizations, Contact and Registries 
 
Eyes - Canine Eye Registration Foundation  (CERF)
                                                                        1248 Lynn Hall, 
                                                                        Purdue University
                                                                        West Lafayette, IN  47907-1248     
                                                                        Phone:  (765) 494-8179   Fax: (765) 494-9981 

Hip and Elbow  Dysplasia, Cardiac and Patellas
                                                                        Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc  (OFA)
                                                                        2300 E. Nifong Blvd
                                                                        Columbia, MO  65201-3856
                                                                        Phone: (573) 442-0418   Fax: (573) 875-5073
                                                                        
http://www.offa.org/ofahd.html 

Hyperuricurosia Testing:  University of California, Davis


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