Chondrodysplasia (Discovered in Norwegian Elkhound and Karelian Bear Dog)

Chondrodysplasia is a skeletal disorder that leads to the development of shorter than normal legs.

Found in

1 in 2,500 dogs

in our testing

Key Signs

Shortened limbs

Age of Onset

At birth

Present at birth

Inheritance

Autosomal Recessive

For autosomal recessive disorders, dogs with two copies of the variant are at risk of developing the condition. Dogs with one copy of the variant are considered carriers and are usually not at risk of developing the disorder. However, carriers of some complex variants grouped in this category may be associated with a low risk of developing the disorder. Individuals with one or two copies may pass the disorder-associated variant to their puppies if bred.

Likelihood of the Condition

High likelihood

At risk dogs are highly likely to show signs of this disease in their lifetime.

What to Do

Here’s how to care for a dog with Chondrodysplasia

Partner with your veterinarian to make a plan regarding your dog’s well-being, including any insights provided through genetic testing. If your pet is at risk or is showing signs of this disorder, then the first step is to speak with your veterinarian.

For Veterinarians

Here’s what a vet needs to know about Chondrodysplasia

Dogs affected by chondrodysplasia are approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) shorter in height than other dogs of the same breed. Affected dogs have short limbs and support more of their weight on their front limbs, resulting in the outward bend noted in the forelimbs of these dogs. Disproportionate growth (short limbs, normal sized body and head) can be observed as early as one week of age.

Treatment is supportive care and monitor for signs of arthritis. Keeping dogs lean can also improve their joint health.

For Breeders

Planning to breed a dog with this genetic variant?

There are many responsibilities to consider when breeding dogs. Regardless of test results it is important that your dog is in good general health and that you are in a position to care for the puppies if new responsible owners are not found. For first time or novice breeders, advice can be found at most kennel club websites.

This disease is autosomal recessive meaning that two copies of the mutation are needed for disease signs to develop. A carrier dog with one copy of the Chondrodysplasia (Discovered in Norwegian Elkhound and Karelian Bear Dog) mutation can be safely bred with a clear dog with no copies of the Chondrodysplasia (Discovered in Norwegian Elkhound and Karelian Bear Dog) mutation. About half of the puppies will have one copy (carriers) and half will have no copies of the Chondrodysplasia mutation. Puppies in a litter which is expected to contain carriers should be tested prior to breeding. Please note: It is possible that disease signs similar to the ones caused by the Chondrodysplasia mutation could develop due to a different genetic or clinical cause.

Technical Details

Gene	ITGA10
Variant	C>T
Chromosome	17
Coordinate	58,703,935

All coordinates reference CanFam3.1

References & Credit

Credit to our scientific colleagues:

Kyöstilä, K., Lappalainen, A. K., & Lohi, H. (2013). Canine Chondrodysplasia Caused by a Truncating Mutation in Collagen-Binding Integrin Alpha Subunit 10. PLoS ONE, 8(9). View the article

Bingel, S. A., & Sande, R. D. (1982). Chondrodysplasia in the Norwegian Elkhound. American Journal of Pathology. View the article

Donner, J., Kaukonen, M., Anderson, H., Möller, F., Kyöstilä, K., Sankari, S., Hytönen, M., Giger, U., & Lohi, H. (2016). Genetic panel screening of nearly 100 mutations reveals new insights into the breed distribution of risk variants for canine hereditary disorders. PLoS ONE. View the article

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