YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Questions for Vet if puppy is going to be about 2 pounds

DevineMissM · 01-01-2006, 09:39 PM

I have been reading this forum for quite some time. But when i saw the picture of your puppy i felt the urge to sign up so I could respond to you. Please have your vet check this puppy for Pituitary Dwarfism! I reconized the physical attributes because I bred a Yorkie puppy with this condition. He will never grow up no matter how long he lives. He is still very tiny now at 8 months of age. He has all of the symptoms described below! Compare the symptoms (in red) for your puppy condition. My puppy LOOKS exactly like your puppy does with the facial expression and hair loss only his hair loss is more pronounced now. At first it appeared as if he just had a "failure to thrive condition". We found this condition after numerous tests by doing skin biopsies (sp) under the direction of a canine skin specialist. Numerous other hormonal etc tests were all negative. So if your vet agrees I would just do the skin biopsy based on the clinical physical signs. I would advise you take her to a specialist. Also we opted NOT to treat my puppy. The drug treatment is a human growth hormone which is very expensive and still may not provide a cure. Do a google search for "pituitary dwarfism". You will find much information. It is very rare in Yorkshire Terriers but it is known to happen. No one knows yet the reason why it happens in Yorkies. In other breeds it is an inherited condition probably by way of recessive genes in both parents. Good luck! I hope she does not have this disease.

What is pituitary dwarfism?

This rare disorder is a result of reduced function of the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. This small gland secretes hormones necessary for normal growth and development. Signs are apparent at a young age and are associated with slowed development and growth.

How is pituitary dwarfism inherited?

In German shepherds and Carnelian bear dogs the disorder is inherited as a simple autosomal recessive trait. The mode of inheritance has not been demonstrated for other affected breeds.

What breeds are affected by pituitary dwarfism?

This disorder is rare. Inheritance has been shown in the German shepherd, and the Carnelian/Karelian bear dog.

For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a general consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.

What does pituitary dwarfism mean to your dog & you?

Breeders or owners will usually notice abnormalities by 2 or 3 months of age. The signs caused by a deficiency of pituitary growth hormone (somatotropin) include slow growth rate, retained puppy coat and eventual hairlessness, darkening of the skin, delayed eruption of permanent teeth, suppressed immune responses, and an altered mental state. These pups are proportionate dwarves - that is, they are of small stature but normal proportions - and they often have a shrill bark.

Other hormones produced by the pituitary gland are also decreased and this causes abnormalities in thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal function.

Most dogs affected with this condition will have shortened lifespans.

How is pituitary dwarfism diagnosed?

The diagnosis is usually made based on the history and characteristic clinical signs in a young dog. Your veterinarian will want to rule out other possible causes of delayed growth.

FOR THE VETERINARIAN:

CLINICAL PATHOLOGY: may see a mild normochromic, normocytic anemia, hypoglycemia (secondary to ACTH deficiency), and hypophosphatemia (secondary to GH deficiency); often routine clinicopathologic tests show no significant abnormalities
GROWTH HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS: Growth hormone assays or serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF) assays may be available in some laboratories [check with your diagnostic laboratory].
How is pituitary dwarfism treated?

Dogs are treated with replacement growth hormone (GH), which is expensive and difficult to obtain. Treated dogs must be monitored for the development of diabetes mellitus which is a potential side effect of GH therapy. Secondary hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism can also be treated if indicated.

Genetic counselling

This condition is generally apparent before dogs are sold. Breeders should avoid breeding parents of affected dogs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

01-01-2006, 09:39 PM	#7
DevineMissM BANNED! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: I live with MissM Posts: 78	Pituitary Dwarfism? I have been reading this forum for quite some time. But when i saw the picture of your puppy i felt the urge to sign up so I could respond to you. Please have your vet check this puppy for Pituitary Dwarfism! I reconized the physical attributes because I bred a Yorkie puppy with this condition. He will never grow up no matter how long he lives. He is still very tiny now at 8 months of age. He has all of the symptoms described below! Compare the symptoms (in red) for your puppy condition. My puppy LOOKS exactly like your puppy does with the facial expression and hair loss only his hair loss is more pronounced now. At first it appeared as if he just had a "failure to thrive condition". We found this condition after numerous tests by doing skin biopsies (sp) under the direction of a canine skin specialist. Numerous other hormonal etc tests were all negative. So if your vet agrees I would just do the skin biopsy based on the clinical physical signs. I would advise you take her to a specialist. Also we opted NOT to treat my puppy. The drug treatment is a human growth hormone which is very expensive and still may not provide a cure. Do a google search for "pituitary dwarfism". You will find much information. It is very rare in Yorkshire Terriers but it is known to happen. No one knows yet the reason why it happens in Yorkies. In other breeds it is an inherited condition probably by way of recessive genes in both parents. Good luck! I hope she does not have this disease. What is pituitary dwarfism? This rare disorder is a result of reduced function of the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. This small gland secretes hormones necessary for normal growth and development. Signs are apparent at a young age and are associated with slowed development and growth. How is pituitary dwarfism inherited? In German shepherds and Carnelian bear dogs the disorder is inherited as a simple autosomal recessive trait. The mode of inheritance has not been demonstrated for other affected breeds. What breeds are affected by pituitary dwarfism? This disorder is rare. Inheritance has been shown in the German shepherd, and the Carnelian/Karelian bear dog. For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a general consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed. What does pituitary dwarfism mean to your dog & you? Breeders or owners will usually notice abnormalities by 2 or 3 months of age. The signs caused by a deficiency of pituitary growth hormone (somatotropin) include slow growth rate, retained puppy coat and eventual hairlessness, darkening of the skin, delayed eruption of permanent teeth, suppressed immune responses, and an altered mental state. These pups are proportionate dwarves - that is, they are of small stature but normal proportions - and they often have a shrill bark. Other hormones produced by the pituitary gland are also decreased and this causes abnormalities in thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal function. Most dogs affected with this condition will have shortened lifespans. How is pituitary dwarfism diagnosed? The diagnosis is usually made based on the history and characteristic clinical signs in a young dog. Your veterinarian will want to rule out other possible causes of delayed growth. FOR THE VETERINARIAN: CLINICAL PATHOLOGY: may see a mild normochromic, normocytic anemia, hypoglycemia (secondary to ACTH deficiency), and hypophosphatemia (secondary to GH deficiency); often routine clinicopathologic tests show no significant abnormalities GROWTH HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS: Growth hormone assays or serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF) assays may be available in some laboratories [check with your diagnostic laboratory]. How is pituitary dwarfism treated? Dogs are treated with replacement growth hormone (GH), which is expensive and difficult to obtain. Treated dogs must be monitored for the development of diabetes mellitus which is a potential side effect of GH therapy. Secondary hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism can also be treated if indicated. Genetic counselling This condition is generally apparent before dogs are sold. Breeders should avoid breeding parents of affected dogs. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.