Dwarfism

[Martininni]

We took our 20 week old labrador puppy to the vets today as he he is quite short for his breed so wanted to get him checked over. The vet wants a second opinion so we are booked in next Monday for this but she thinks that he may have dwarfism. My DH took him to the appointment today and didn't ask the vet many questions. Does anyone have experience of this and know what the implications for his health (if there are any) would be?

This might sound stupid but are you certain he is a pedigree? I have a lab cross breed who looks exactly like a lab, people always comment on how small he is but it's because he's taken the size of the other breed

Could there be a chance that yours is a cross too? If not, I know there is someone on tiktok who has a lab with dwarfism and she posts a lot about him and what his life is like. He's called Enzo

Do you have his pedigree? SD2 (Skeletal Dysplasia) is the most common form of dwarfism in labs and would normally be tested for prior to breeding.

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/getting-started-with-health-testing-and-screening/dna-testing/dna-test-sd2/

I think any sort of dwarfism comes with implications for health but that varies depending on the cause.

Are you 100% sure he's a pure-bred Labrador and not a mix?

Reputable breeders should be testing for things like this.

We saw both parents and they were both labradors. The parents had been hip and elbow scored and eye tested. But unfortunately not tested for dwarfism.
The vet that saw him was unsure, she said he might just be small. We will know more on Monday I suppose.

Were the parents kc registered? Just wondering if you might be able to see if they're hereditary clear for SD2 even if not specifically tested.

20 weeks, so 5ish months? Does he look out of proportion? He's still got a bit of growing to do, our lab was really quite small until she was approximately 9 months, then she had a huge growth spurt, and didn't seem to stop until she was nearly two!

No they weren't KC registered. @veritasverity I do wonder this, he is short be he looks in proportion, it sounds like dogs with dwarfism have heads that look bigger but his is not like this. It also says that labs grow until they are 12 to 18 months which is a long time yet....his parents were not massive labradors.

My beautiful lab boy grew out of proportion during his first 9 months or so. At one point he grew very leggy with a small head.

He evened out and is very much in proportion.

One clue to dwarfism may be is front feet. Do they turn outwards?

Unless your vet has reason for real concern at this point, I would be inclined to watch and see.

I’d put money on them being crossed with something. Dogs can look like a breed and then produce offspring that more closely resemble others in the line.

Dwarfism is rare and given they are not KC reg then they could be anything!

The proportions and conformation are normally 'off' with dwarfism. Would you be up for posting a photo?

To be precise, you saw what you were told were both parents. Doesn't mean they actually were (even more so as the litter weren't registered, although that's not saying not that it never happens with registered litters, just that there are obviously shortcuts being taken already).

Were there any other dogs about the place?

My girl lab will be 3 years old in August, she is also very small for a lab and I often get comments on her size and asked if shes full pedigree. She weights 20.8kg and is KC registered so definitely sure she is a full Labrador.

@Sarvanga24 photos uploaded

@Dearg I think his feet do turn out a bit? You can see it in the photos when he is sat.

His paws would concern me from those photos - I think you should get a second opinion based on what your vet has said. Dwarfism can lead to joint issues and pain down the line.

My heart melted seeing those pictures, he really is beautiful 😍

Thanks for photos. My (non-veterinary) vote would be not dwarfism, but not purebred Labrador.

For interest, and for the sake of your bank account, it is worth thinking about why you are going for a second opinion to attempt to diagnose this?

Is your pup actually having any difficulties or showing any pain? If not, my personal inclination would be to do a DNA test for dwarfism appropriate to the breed, purely for interest, if you must.

It is worthwhile thinking about what can be achieved by a result too. IF your puppy did have a dwarfism gene, what would the vet do anyway?

I'd be inclined to just enjoy him if he's not having any issues, myself.

A friend of ours got a labrador puppy. They had similar fears and were worried in the early months about medical/health aspects There's a genetic issue. But I can't recall details.
The dog is now 3yrs old. Small but a very happy and active dog. Has regular vet visits, closely monitored.

It is worthwhile thinking about what can be achieved by a result too. IF your puppy did have a dwarfism gene, what would the vet do anyway?

Likely nothing (at least, not in the short-term) but forewarned is forearmed and all that. Puppies with genetic abnormalities and joint issues will benefit restricted exercise and management, and symptoms can be managed with things like supplements, hydrotherapy etc.

Often, if you look after things properly from day one, they can live a relatively pain free existence. If you don't, issues can build and you can end up with a young adult dog who really struggles.

@Sarvanga24 no he is not showing any issues or signs of pain. I think I will go for the second opinion but one of my questions will be if he has xrays/blood tests etc what are we going to do with the information? And can we take a watch and wait approach?

Yes same here. My lab pup is currently 8months and has fairly short legs at the moment. We’ve been saying for the last 2(ish) months that her body is fully grown and her legs just need to catch up!!

I would definitely caution against getting drawn in to investigations that can be very costly, when a simple and fairly inexpensive DNA test will tell you whether there is an issue (well, this issue) in the first place.

Beyond that, I would treat the dog as common sense would dictate - good food, controlled exercise for a growing pup, and see how things go.

what are we going to do with the information? And can we take a watch and wait approach?

Personally when it comes to joint issues, the last thing I would do is "watch and wait". I've seen young adult dogs being restricted to 15 minute walks a day because their owners didn't think there was an issue (because the dog wasn't showing visible symptoms). You really don't want that.

The more you know, the more support you can give your dog to hopefully allow them to live a relatively pain-free life. And if there's nothing wrong, then at least you know either way.

Thanks for your help @Sarvanga24 I will look into the dna tests. Looks like this would give us an answer without any invasive testing.

Thanks for the photos. I mentioned his feet as a Google of dwarfism in labs, shows that deformity.
I do agree with @Sarvanga24 suggests, a DNA test to identify if he has the gene for dwarfism would be a good next step.