Main Index
In Store
Our Web Store
Miniature Schnauzer Picture Gallery
Latest Dog Blogs
- What Are The Basic Commands To Train A Dog?
- PaySafe As The Most Popular Type Of Deposit
- Everything You Need To Know About Pet Sales
- Dogs Contribute To Our Physical And Mental Well Being
- How To Choose Where To Bet On Greyhounds In 2022
- Volunteer With Animals - How To Help Dogs Around The World
- Basic Understanding Of The House Edge
- Why You Should Get A Dog
- Top 20 Popular Dog Names Around The World
- Constipation in Dogs and How to Find Solutions
Pituitary Dwarfism or Hyposomatotrophism
- 31/01/2010
In Pituitary dwarfism / hyposomatotrophism a deficiency in pituitary stimulation of growth hormone production leads to dwarfism. This occurs most commonly in German shepherds but has been reported in several other breeds. It is an inherited disease in German shepherds (autosomal recessive trait). This disorder must be distinguished from other conditions leading to stunted growth, including malnutrition, congenital hypothyroidism and other congenital defects leading to poor growth. Dogs with this condition do not grow like their litter mates. Their hair retains its "puppy" appearance, feeling soft to the touch. Hairloss along the sides that is symmetrical often occurs. Abnormalities in bone growth lead to a deformed appearance to the legs. As other puppies in the litter appear to mature, affected dogs continue to have a puppy-like appearance and bark.
Dogs with this condition may be deficient in other hormones in which the pituitary gland controls part of the process of stimulating the hormone's production. It is a good idea to check for hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism in dogs with hyposomatotrophism. Human growth hormone will work to treat affected dogs but it is expensive and may be hard for the average veterinary practitioner to obtain.
Please Help Us
IrishDogs.ie takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters because it might well be your perspective, too.
Our future could be much more secure with your help. Please SUPPORT us by clicking on the Donate Button at the Top Right of your screen.
Quick Search
Donate
Latest Dog Pods
- Tips on How to Stop Your Dog from Biting
- Beware - Not All Advertised Dog Rescues Really Are! How Can You Know The Truth?
- Helpful Tips For Dog Obedience Problems
- How to Keep Dogs From Eating Poop
- Dog Grooming Tips - A General Overview of the Very Basics of Dog Grooming
- Recognising Different Types of Dog Obedience Problems
- 5 Important Tips On Feeding A Puppy