Congenital defects in domesticated animals: general considerations.
Abstract: A mass survey of the distribution of congenital defects in various types of livestock was made possible by the processing by the Veterinary Medical Data Program (VMPD) of standard observations collected on 137, 717 patients seen at veterinary college clinics between Mar. 1964 and Jan. 1969. A total of 6455 animals with 1 or more congenital defects was found. The data were analysed according to species, institution and organ system. Pigs had the highest proportion of congenital defects, cats the lowest. Over all, the systems most frequently involved were the musculo-skeletal and urogenital. The 4 most frequently occuring defects (in order) for each major species were: (1) bovines-umbilical hernia, defects of penis and prepuce, hydrocephalus, and contracted tendons; (2) equines-cryptorchidism, umbilical hernia, contracted tendons, and patellar dislocation; (3) pigs-inguinal hernia, cryptorchidism, umbilical hernia, and atresia or imperforate anus; (4) dogs-hip dysplasia, eye and lid defects, patellar dislocation, and cryptorchidism; (5) cats-hypoplasia of the cerebellum, umbilical hernia, eye and lid defects, and cryptorchidism.
Of 44 cases of elbow dysplasia in dogs, currently a widespread genetic problem in large breeds, 28 were in German Shepherds (19 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀), 8 in St. Bernards (3: 5), 7 in Basset Hounds (5: 2) and 1 in a ♀ Black and Tan Coonhound; these findings are consistent with the previously reported breed, size and sex distributions.
Publication Date: 1970-10-01 PubMed ID: 5528341
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- Journal Article
- Animal Health
- Animal Science
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Congenital Disorders
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Domestic Animals
- Genetic Testing
- Genetics
- Heritability
- Morphology
- Pathophysiology
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Science
Summary
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This study presents a mass survey of congenital defects in various types of livestock based on observations collected from over 137,000 patients at veterinary clinics. The research reveals the highest and lowest proportion of congenital defects in different animals, the most frequently involved system, and the most common defects in each major species.
Data Collection and Analysis
- The data for the survey was collected between March 1964 to January 1969 from veterinary college clinics. A total of 137,717 patients’ standard observation data was processed by the Veterinary Medical Data Program (VMPD).
- The data collected found a total of 6455 animals with one or more congenital defects.
- The data was then categorized and analyzed based on species, institution, and organ system. This approach enabled an in-depth, segment-wise understanding of the occurrence and distribution of congenital defects.
Results and Findings
- Pigs had the highest proportion of congenital defects, while cats had the lowest. This suggests that congenital abnormalities vary significantly among different species of animals.
- The musculo-skeletal and urogenital systems were the most frequently affected. This shows that these systems might be more susceptible to congenital defects than others.
- The study also identified the four most common defects in each major species. These findings can help in the identification, treatment, and potentially, the prevention of such defects in specific species.
Case Study: Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs
- Among the 44 cases of elbow dysplasia found in dogs, 28 were German Shepherds, 8 were St. Bernards, 7 were Basset Hounds, and 1 was a Black and Tan Coonhound.
- This condition is currently a widespread genetic problem in large breeds which aligns with the findings of the study regarding breed, size, and sex distributions.
In summary, this research contributes valuable data and analysis about the prevalence and types of congenital defects in various species of domesticated animals, aiding the veterinary medical field in understanding and addressing these issues.
Cite This Article
APA
Priester WA, Glass AG, Waggoner NS.
(1970).
Congenital defects in domesticated animals: general considerations.
Am J Vet Res, 31(10), 1871-1879.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Abnormalities, Multiple / epidemiology
- Abnormalities, Multiple / veterinary
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- Canada
- Cat Diseases / epidemiology
- Cats
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
- Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology
- Congenital Abnormalities / therapy
- Congenital Abnormalities / veterinary
- Dog Diseases / epidemiology
- Dogs
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Musculoskeletal Abnormalities
- Sheep
- Sheep Diseases / epidemiology
- Species Specificity
- Swine
- Swine Diseases / epidemiology
- United States
- Urogenital Abnormalities
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Avison A. Richter's hernia in a 3-month-old colt - A rare event.. Can Vet J 2019 Jun;60(6):651-653.
- de la Vega M, Townsend KL, Terry J, Nemanic S. Urinary bladder herniation through inguinal ring in a female cat.. Can Vet J 2018 Oct;59(10):1085-1088.
- Partlow GD, Fisher KR, Page PD, MacMillan K, Walker AF. Prevalence and types of birth defects in Ontario swine determined by mail survey.. Can J Vet Res 1993 Apr;57(2):67-73.
- Schoental R. Chronic, including teratogenic and carcinogenic effects of trichothecenes: a short review.. Vet Res Commun 1983 Dec;7(1-4):165-70.
- Selby LA, Edmonds LD, Parke DW, Stewart RW, Marienfeld CJ, Heidlage WF. Use of mailed questionnaire data in a study of swine congenital malformations.. Can J Comp Med 1973 Oct;37(4):413-7.
- Camón J, Sabaté D, Verdú J, Rutllant J, López-Plana C. Morphology of a dicephalic cat.. Anat Embryol (Berl) 1992;185(1):45-55.
- Selby LA, Edmonds LD, Hyde LD. Epidemiological field studies of animal populations.. Can J Comp Med 1976 Apr;40(2):135-41.
- David TJ, Illingworth CA. Diaphragmatic hernia in the south-west of England.. J Med Genet 1976 Aug;13(4):253-62.
- Leech RW, Hauges CN, Christoferson LA. Hydrocephalus, congenital hydrocephalus. Aminal model: bovine hydrocephalus, congenital internal hydrocephalus, aqueductal stenosis.. Am J Pathol 1978 Aug;92(2):567-70.
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