Known Health Issues and Diseases in Murray River Retrievers

As a responsible breed association, The Australian Murray River Retriever Pets Association Inc, and Rehoming supports an open culture regarding known health issues and diseases found in the breed. Unfortunately, some influential groups would rather not openly discuss health issues and diseases and prefer to keep this sort of information quiet. This does NOTHING to help the future health and reputation of a newly developing breed.

New information is continually becoming available with more puppies being bred, so we will continue to keep members updated. If you know of any diseases or health issues not mentioned here, please contact us so it can be included for all Murray owners to know and learn about. If you only take one thing from this read - I hope it is the importance of proper health testing and screening prior to breeding or selecting a pup from a breeder.

WARNING***LONG BUT IMPORTANT READ!

1. Ear Infections: some Murrays are prone to chronic ear infections while others never seem to have an issue with this. If your Murray is prone to chronic ear infections, please don't mess around with this, GO TO YOUR VET and get proper medical attention. Using vinegar, peroxide and other homeopathic remedies DO NOT fix the problem, it will only prolong your dogs suffering. If your Murray is NOT prone to chronic ear infections, then using other remedies to clean may be ok, but please check with your vet first!! There have been reported cases of Murrays with chronic ear infections having grass seeds or other foreign objects in their ears which need surgical removal, there could also be tumours or other underlying defects that need prompt medical attention. Symptoms may include head shaking, scratching the ears, discharge and smelly ears. Ear infections can be quite painful for your Murray so please get this checked by your vet. For more information go to: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-ear-infections/

2. Grass Seeds: these can be a real problem for your Murray getting lodged in between their toes, in their ears, eyes and other places. Grass seeds can penetrate their skin and move throughout their body. They can cause nasty abscesses, infections and a lot of discomfort for your Murray. Symptoms may include constant licking of the paws, redness, irritation, swelling, discharge and infection at the site of the grass seed (including ears as mentioned above). If you suspect your Murray has a grass seed, please see your vet, these DO NOT go away by themselves and will need medical treatment. Be vigilant, when its grass season time, trimming excess hair in between the toes and checking their fur and ears daily may help spot these early and enable you to pull them out before they cause an issue. Have a look at this quick video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sJZpYd53Dg#action=share

3. Hip Dysplasia: Several factors lead to the development of hip dysplasia in dogs, beginning with genetics. Hip dysplasia IS hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs, like the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Labrador Retriever, and German Shepherd Dog. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition. There have been several reported cases of this crippling disease in our Murrays, from as young as 6-8 months of age that have required very expensive hip replacement surgery and extensive rehabilitation. We as a breed association can help reduce the likelihood of this disease by ensuring both bitch and sire have been hip and elbow scored prior to breeding. Additionally, lines that have been identified as having hip dysplasia SHOULD NOT BE BRED WITH! Unfortunately, some lines that have been identified with this continue to be bred...............this is appalling and it is due to some uneducated fools pushing their opinion that genetics has nothing to do with it. Fact is, it does. I encourage everyone to please consult their vet and other professional information if you are confused by the current information out there about this. For more information you can have a look at this site: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs/

Yes it is an American site, but hip dysplasia is the same all over the world!

4. Cushings Disease: Cushing's disease results when the body produces too much of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is produced and stored by the adrenals, two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys. Dogs, cats, and horses, as well as humans, can get Cushing's disease. Some younger and older Murrays have received a diagnosis of this. Symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, reduced activity, excessive panting, thin or fragile skin, hair loss, recurrent skin infections, and enlargement of the abdomen, resulting in a "potbellied" appearance. 80% to 85% of Cushing’s falls within the pituitary-dependent type. This means a tumor triggers it on the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. The remaining 15% to 20% of Cushing’s cases involve a tumor located in one or both adrenal glands causing them to produce excess cortisol. Several breeds have a hereditary tendency to develop hyperadrenocorticism including Boxer, various terrier breeds, Dachshund and Poodle.

5. Canine Epilepsy: Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder seen in dogs, and has been estimated to affect approximately 0.75% of the canine population. The condition can be inherited (genetic or idiopathic epilepsy), caused by structural problems in the brain (structural epilepsy), or stem from an unknown cause (epilepsy of unknown cause). Unfortunately, there has been a rise in the number of Murrays diagnosed with epilepsy. Some of these dogs have been poorly bred or inbred (parents related) which may suggest inheritance. One of the pitfalls of "line breeding" for pedigrees is that the likelihood of things going wrong tend to increase.

6. Exercise Induced Collapse: Genetic testing has uncovered EIC in the Murray breed, with some being affected by the disease and others just carriers. When DNA testing is not carried out prior to breeding, there is no way of knowing if you are breeding from carriers of the gene, and therefore, due to unregulated and loose standards, the number of affected Murrays is on the increase. EIC is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder causing affected dogs to suffer from a loss of muscle control following periods of extreme exercise. Typically, an affected dog begins to show symptoms between 5 months and 3 years of age. Because EIC is a recessive disorder, a dog must have two copies of the mutation in order for the disease to manifest. This means that a dog can have one copy of the mutation and not experience any signs or symptoms of EIC; this dog would be known as a carrier. The carrier can then pass on either the normal gene or the mutated gene to any offspring. If two carriers are bred, a dog could potentially receive the mutated gene from each parent and be affected by EIC. Other breeds known to be affected by EIC include: American Cocker Spaniel, Bouvier des Flanders, Boykin Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, German Wirehaired Pointer, Labrador Retriever, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Vizsla. Prevention of EIC is achieved primarily by identifying affected dogs through clinical signs or testing and removing them from the breeding pool.

7. Entropian: Entropion is an eyelid abnormality. The condition involves the eyelid rolling inwards. Symptoms include watery eyes (epiphora, which is excessive tears) and often a mucoid discharge are present. Red eyes are also common, and you may see your dog rubbing their face with paws or along a soft surface like your carpet. Recurring conjunctivitis, eye infections and eye ulcers are all likely signs and symptoms of entropion.

Entropion is considered a hereditary disorder and is often diagnosed in puppies less than a year old. Entropian can also be congenital or acquired. Congenital entropion is generally the result of an anatomic defect while acquired entropion is generally the result of trauma or spasm.

Dog breeds most likely to have entropion include: Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Bulldogs, Pugs and other brachycephalic breeds, Retrievers, Rottweilers and Murrays and is very common in Cocker Spaniels. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the condition is mostly a side effect of the way certain dogs are bred to look, and is a genetic predisposition, there isn’t much to be done to prevent entropion in dogs, aside from not breeding from dogs that have suffered from it, as they are likely to pass the condition on to their puppies. When the dog has reached adult size, between 6 to 12 months of age, entropion is treated with a primary major surgical correction. Usually a secondary minor surgical correction is performed later.

Below image is not a Murray, however it shows how the eyes may look teary and weepy due to entropian.

8. Liver Shunts: Portosystemic shunting (PSS) or liver shunt is a condition in which the blood-flow to and from the dog's liver has been compromised. Specifically, liver shunt causes blood to flow around the liver, not through it, resulting in blood bypassing the liver. There are two types of liver shunt in dogs: Congenital: a birth defect and Acquired: the result of severe liver disease such as cirrhosis. Congenital shunts are more common in dogs than acquired shunts. When a dog fetus is developing inside the mother's uterus, it requires the help of the mother's liver for liver functions, such as detoxification, protein production, and storage of glucose. Dog fetuses do not have a functional liver until the end of gestation. Toward the beginning of gestation, there is a "naturally-occurring" liver shunt (a blood vessel called "ductus venosus") that delivers blood through the dog's liver directly to the heart. In normal circumstances, the large liver shunt (ductus venosus) closes down shortly before birth so that the puppy can be born with a fully functional liver that works on its own. When the shunt does not seal closed when the puppy is born, the puppy is said to have an "intrahepatic shunt". Large breed dogs tend to have intrahepatic shunts and breeds that are predisposed include Irish wolfhounds, Labrador retrievers, Australian shepherds, Australian cattle dogs, old English sheepdogs and our Murrays. A dog with a liver shunt may show the following symptoms: Lack of appetite, resulting in weight loss, Lethargy and general weakness, Behavioral abnormalities (e.g. circling, stumbling, disorientation, unresponsiveness, staring into space, head pressing against objects). There are other less common signs, such as: Excessive drinking and frequent urinating, Diarrhea, Vomiting and Blindness. Extrahepatic shunts can be corrected by surgery relatively easily. Intrahepatic shunts, on the other hand, have a poorer prognosis and are more difficult to be surgically fixed. Dogs with intrahepatic shunts tend to have post-surgical secondary complications.

9. Degenerative Myelopathy: DNA analysis has shown cases of Murrays who are either carriers or have this disease. Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is characterised by a non-painful progressive hind limb paralysis in older dogs. Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) was previously known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) and is a progressive degenerative spinal cord disease. Ultimately it is a fatal disease with devastating consequences for the dogs and can be distressing for owners caring for them. Degenerative myelopathy is associated with a genetic abnormality in dogs. The most common form is due to a genetic mutation in a gene coding for superoxide dismutase, a protein responsible for destroying free radicals in the body. Previously it was regarded as a disease of German Shepherds however in recent years the disease has been identified in many other breeds and is no longer considered a “large breed” problem. Degenerative myelopathy is a particular concern in Boxers, Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Wire Fox Terriers, Bernese Mountain dogs, Borzoi, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Golden Retriever, Great Pyrenean Mountain dog, Kerry Blue terries, Poodle, Pug, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Shetland sheepdog, Soft coated Wheaten terriers and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retrievers. As the disease develops after the recommended breeding age, breeders of predisposed breeds should practice responsible breeding by genetic screening prior to mating to reduce the prevalence of the gene and of degenerative myelopathy.

10. Splitting Nails: Many Murrays have had this painful problem. Split nails can happen naturally from injury or trauma and will likely cause bleeding and pain, affecting your dog's ability to place weight on the affected paw. The source of bleeding is the quick, the sensitive area of nerves and blood vessels in the nail bed, making this situation especially painful for the animal. Lupoid Onychodystrophy is a very common cause of dry, brittle nails that split. To determine if your dog has this condition, you need to take him to the vet for an examination. Lupoid Onychodystrophy is a disease that causes your dog's immune system to start attacking his nails and nail beds. In time, this results in split nails that may never completely heal. One of the most effective methods of keeping your pup from having to deal with split or brittle nails is to be sure you keep your pup's nails properly trimmed at all times. One way to help keep your pup's nails from splitting is to take him for long walks on concrete surfaces like sidewalks. The concrete will help to keep his nails ground down naturally. However, doing this is only partially effective. Poor nutrition is another key cause of split nails. When your pup is not getting the right minerals and in sufficient amounts, it can affect the health of his organs. In time this will have a significant impact on the health of his teeth and nails. Be sure his diet includes essential fatty acids and oils, and that you are feeding him a high-quality dog food. Doing this will go a long way to preventing split nails. For some tips on how to improve your dogs nail health, check out this site: https://www.dogvills.com/strengthen-dog-nails/

11. Early Onset Cataracts: Cataracts can develop from disease, old age and trauma to the eye, but inherited conditions are the most common cause. Affected dogs will first show a cloudy haze in their pupil that becomes progressively more milky blue to crystalline in appearance. Vision will become progressively worse, and dogs may start bumping into furniture, be more hesitant on steps, and run into walls or doorways. Cataracts may be present at birth or develop when a dog is very young-between one and three years of age. A high-incidence of cataracts is also often attributed to diabetes. Mutations in the dominant HSF4 gene cause cataracts to form at an accelerated rate in comparatively young dogs (approximately 2-7 years of age). Surgical correction by a veterinary ophthalmologist is currently the only treatment available to restore your dog’s vision. The other alternative is careful monitoring and lifestyle changes to make your dog’s blindness more manageable.

12. Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA, is a condition of the retina in the eye. PRA is a general term encompassing many diseases which all progress over time and eventually lead to blindness. The first sign of this disease is typically night blindness. There is no pain associated with PRA and dogs seem to adjust very well to their blindness. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of genetic diseases seen in certain breeds of dogs and, more rarely, cats. Similar to retinitis pigmentosa in humans, it is characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina. There are two main forms of PRA recognized in dogs, an early onset or inherited form, also called retinal dysplasia, which is typically diagnosed in puppies around 2-3 months of age, and a late onset form that is detected in adult dogs, usually between the ages of 3-9 years. It is common for the late onset form to be called PRA and the early onset form to be called retinal dysplasia. In general, PRA is an inherited disease that occurs in many breeds of dogs and also occurs in mixed breeds. In the majority of dogs, it appears to be inherited in an 'autosomal recessive' pattern, meaning that the affected dog must have inherited the defective gene from both parents. The breeds commonly affected include Bedlington Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, American Cocker Spaniels, and English Springer Spaniels. However, in some breeds, such as Old English Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs, it appears to be a dominant gene (meaning that a dog only needs to inherit one copy of the defective gene to be affected by the disease), while in the Siberian Husky and the Samoyed it appears to be sex-linked and found mainly in male dogs. Dogs that develop PRA should not be used for breeding. Since the disease is heritable, when a dog develops PRA, its parents and siblings should also be removed from breeding programs, even if they do not show any signs of the abnormality. The rationale for removing related dogs from breeding programs is that the typical inheritance pattern is recessive, meaning that affected dogs must have inherited the defective gene from both parents - unaffected siblings and parents are carriers of the defective gene, but will have also inherited a normal gene, so will not 'express' the abnormality. With selective breeding, PRA has the potential to become increasingly less common.

13. Atopic Dermatitis: Some breeds are more likely to develop allergies, including Golden Retrievers, Poodles (and hybrids), Shih Tzus, Cocker Spaniels, and Bulldogs. However, any dog can develop allergies. Symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis often get worse with time, though they may also be seasonal. These are the most commonly affected areas in dogs: Ears, Feet, Underbelly, Muzzle, Armpits, Groin, Base of the tail, Around the eyes, In between the toes. The symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis include: Itching, Scratching, Rubbing, Licking, A yeasty smell, Greasy skin, Redness or tough skin. If the reaction is due to atopy, a genetic disposition to an allergic reaction, for example, hyposensitization therapy can be performed. Your veterinarian will give your pet injections of the allergens to which they are sensitive. This decreases itchiness in 60-80% of dogs, but may approximately take 6 months to a year to see an improvement. regular bathing with medicated or prescription-strength shampoo can greatly improve your pet's comfort and help skin infections resolve faster.

14. Aggressive Temperament: Some lines tend to be narkier than others. It is believed that this trait was sort after by old school hunters as they believed this would make a better hunting companion. In modern times however, having a dog with a narky temperament can mean all sorts of problems from attacking people, other animals, and generally being reactive, difficult to handle and untrustworthy. These types of dogs are DANGEROUS and should be removed from the breeding pool. Lines which are narky are not needed in modern society. There are a few of these narky dogs being currently bred with which is very disappointing and will only give the breed a bad name. Make sure you meet both mum and dad when choosing a puppy and avoid choosing a pup which displays unusual narkiness. Happy and healthy puppies are full of life, fun and mischief, so if they do display aggressive tendencies-its best to avoid them.

15. Acral Mutilation Syndrome: Acral mutilation syndrome (AMS) is a rare autosomal-recessive genetic sensory neuropathy of dogs that results in progressive mutilation of the distal extremities. This disease has been reported in Murrays as well as Miniature Schnauzers, German Short-Haired Pointers, English Pointers, English Springer Spaniels and French Spaniels. Clinically affected dogs present with overgrooming and licking of pads and paws to the point of excoriations, ulceration and bleeding. These dogs may be identified soon after birth by their lack of response to acral pinprick or compression. Affected pups are often smaller than unaffected littermates and owners report the pup licking and biting at their paws. Auto-amputation of claws, digits and footpads occurs in severe cases, with acral changes including swollen reddened paws, paronychia, palmar and plantar ulceration, nail loss and painless fractures. In dogs, single or multiple feet can be affected and affected animals can walk on their severely mutilated feet without evidence of pain, lameness, or ataxia. Mild affected dogs can be treated with anxiolytic drugs such as diazepam and elizabethan collars, but many cases rapidly deteriorate, requiring euthanasia due to deteriorating quality of life.

*********Please insist of fully DNA tested and health screened Murrays**********