As Merck Veterinary Manual explains, congenital conditions are present when a puppy is born. Sometimes, these health problems form when the puppy is a cluster of cells, resulting from a mix of poor genetics or cells that didn’t divide properly. Other times, conditions can arise from poor pre-natal care that pregnant dogs received. Unfortunately, this makes many street and pariah puppies born with life-altering, sometimes fatal conditions.
The good news is that with veterinary care, many congenital conditions are manageable. Read on to learn more about them.
1. Cleft Palate
Cleft palate refers to a condition where there’s an opening between the roof of the mouth and the nasal passages, which can cause aspiration when nursing. This condition happens when the dog’s palatine shelves (the tissues that grow alongside the tongue) fail to fuse. It generally happens at 25 to 28 days of gestation for dogs, so about three weeks after conception.
Cleft palate can affect any breed, but it specifically affects flat-faced dogs, such as bulldogs. Yet, it can also affect Shetland Sheepdogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels. Treatment for this condition depends on its severity. Merck Veterinary Manual notes that while surgery can be an option, it can cause other problems, such as respiratory difficulty and nasal discharge.
If a puppy born with a cleft palate cannot nurse, euthanasia is considered the most humane course, although some believe that with around-the-clock, controlled feeding, these dogs can be rehabilitated.
2. Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus (which translates to “water on the brain” in Greek) is when excess cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) leaks into the skull, causing the brain to swell. Sometimes, tumors, infection, and swelling can cause hydrocephalus in dogs past puppyhood. Yet, some puppies are born with the condition, particularly “teacup” dogs.
Hydrocephalus presents as a dome-shaped skull with eyes that are pushed downward. The puppy may also have a soft spot on top of its skull from the bone not fully fusing. Dogs that receive treatment for hydrocephalus can live normal lives with minimal complications, and generally surgery is only required in extreme situations. Medications that target the production of CSF can help greatly with this condition.
3. Cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism affects one to three percent of all male dogs, with small dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, and Pomeranians, being more at risk. Essentially, this is when one or both of a male dog’s testicles do not descend into the scrotum.
VCA Animal Hospitals explains that at birth, male puppies do not have testicles; they develop near the kidneys and descend by the time they reach two months old. Some “late bloomers” may not have their testicles descend until they’re six months old, but this usually doesn’t have an adverse effect.
The good news is that unless you’re planning to breed your male dog, cryptorchidism usually isn’t an issue. It’s not painful, and the dog’s retained testicles will continue to produce testosterone. A possible complication is spermatic cord torsion, where the vein that supplies blood flow to the testicle twists. This can cause abdominal pain and discomfort, requiring veterinary care. Cryptorchidism can also increase the risk of certain dog-related cancers.
4. Umbilical Hernia
Fun fact: this is a condition that humans can also experience! But what is it?
Like babies in the womb, puppies are connected to the nutrient-rich placenta through an umbilical cord. Sometimes, once the cord falls off, the dog’s intestines can push through the weakened tissue, causing an unsightly bump. A puppy may show no signs of discomfort, but a veterinarian may recommend surgery to patch the opening and push the intestine back inside. This is mainly done to prevent strangulation, where blood flow gets cut off from the intestine.
Umbilical hernias generally present within a few weeks of a puppy’s birth. They most commonly affect Airedale Terriers, Pekinese, and Basenji.
5. Blindness and Deafness
All puppies are born blind, deaf, and without teeth. Puppies’ ears and eyes open two to four weeks after birth, with their hearing being the last sense to develop. A puppy is still developing its senses when it’s eight weeks old, the ideal time to bring a new dog home.
However, some puppies never gain their sense of sight or hearing. This is an unfortunate occurrence in double-merle puppies. This is a phenomenon when unethical breeders breed two merle dogs together, hoping to create merle puppies. However, this small gene pool leads to a host of health conditions that affect puppies’ quality of life. It’s seen in Miniature Australian Shepherds, Corgis, and various collie dogs.
It takes a special person to adopt a double-merle dog, as they need extra help when it comes to training and socialization. These dogs are also more likely to suffer sun burns and skin cancer. So, bring dog-friendly sunscreen on walks and other outings!
What Are NOT Congenital Defects in Puppies?
As we explained earlier, congenital defects are problems that appear at birth––not in adolescence and adulthood. The following health conditions in dogs that can occur AFTER birth include:
- Bloat. Also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), this condition happens when the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood flow to vital organs. This condition can affect large, deep-chested dogs, like Irish Wolfhounds and Great Danes. You can prevent bloat by avoiding excess exercise after eating and/or drinking.
- Broken bones. A traumatic birth can cause a puppy to be born with a broken leg. However, this is uncommon; some dogs, because of their skinny legs, are more likely to suffer broken bones can others. These fragile-bodied dogs include Whippets, Italian Greyhounds, and Shetland Sheepdogs.
- Parvovirus. Parvovirus is a serious condition that mainly affects young, unvaccinated dogs. This condition can spread through contaminated fecal matter. Symptoms of parvo include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and extreme lethargy.
Puppies with Congenital Defects Can Live Healthy Lives
If you’re concerned about your dog developing a health problem, whether a congenital defect or another medical concern, pet insurance can be a great idea. This can offset the cost of emergency veterinary care, so you can make decisions based on your dog’s well-being, not financial limitations. Regular vet appointments, a balanced diet, and mindfulness can also ensure that your dog lives a long healthy life.
