Irish Setter – Disease Predisposition

IRISH SETTER

Cardiovascular conditions

Persistent right aortic arch (vascular ring anomaly)
  • Congenital
  • Not all studies confirm predisposition in this breed

Dermatological conditions

Pododermatitis
Primary seborrhoea
  • Probably inherited as autosomal recessive
Ichthyosis
  • Rare
  • Congenital
  • Possibly inherited as autosomal recessive
Ehler-Danlos syndrome
Nasal depigmentation
  • Also known as Dudley nose
Acral lick dermatitis
  • More often seen in males
  • Can occur at any age, but usually over 5 years
Callus dermatitis/pyoderma
  • Usually affects the sternum in this breed
Greying
  • May occur at a young age in this breed

Endocrine conditions

Hypothyroidism
Insulinoma
  • Higher incidence seen in this breed
  • Usually middle-aged and older dogs

Gastrointestinal conditions

Congenital idiopathic megaoesophagus
  • Breed predisposition
Vascular ring anomaly
  • Breed predisposition -  inheritance suspected
Gastric dilatation-volvulus
  • Breed predisposition
Gluten-sensitive enteropathy
  • Breed predisposition
Perianal fistula

Musculoskeletal conditions

Temporomandibular dysplasia/luxation
  • Congenital dysplasia may predispose to luxation
Irish Setter hypochondroplasia
  • Mildly short limbs seen
  • Inherited as autosomal recessive
Canine idiopathic polyarthritis
  • Usually affects dogs at 1–3 years, but any age can be affected
  • Males predisposed

Neoplastic conditions

Trichoepithelioma
Sebaceous gland tumours
  • Possible breed predisposition to sebaceous epithelioma
  • Seen in older dogs (average age 10 years)
Haemangiopericytoma
Melanoma
  • Breed predisposition
  • Average age 8–9 years
Melanoma of the digit

Haematological conditions

Granulocytopathy of Irish Setters
  • Inherited as an autosomal recessive trait
Canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD)
  • Seen in GB and Sweden

Neurological conditions

Cerebellar malformation
  • Congenital
  • Uncommon
True epilepsy
  • Inherited
Lissencephaly
  • Rare developmental disease
Ambylopia and quadriplegia
  • Autosomal recessive inheritance
  • Congenital paralysis and blindness with no visible ocular cause (ambylopia)
Hyperaesthesia syndrome

Ocular conditions

Entropion (usually lower lids)
  • Breed predisposition – polygenic inheritance likely
Eversion of the cartilage of the nictitating membrane
  • Breed predisposition; possibly inherited as a recessive trait
Refractory corneal ulceration
  • Breed predisposition
Glaucoma
Cataract
  • Inheritance suspected
Generalised progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)
  • Autosomal recessive inheritance
  • A second form of PRA, occurring at 4–5 years, may be seen in this breed
Micropapilla
  • Congenital condition
Optic nerve colobomas
  • Congenital defect
Ambylopia and quadriplegia
  • Autosomal recessive inheritance
  • Congenital paralysis and blindness with no visible ocular cause (ambylopia)

Renal and urinary conditions

Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (causing urinary incontinence)
  • Possible breed predisposition in female dogs

Respiratory conditions

Laryngeal paralysis