Proportionate Dwarfism
This genetic variant may contribute to smaller adult size by affecting growth hormone activity. Other features, such as retained baby teeth, puppy-like coats, or low blood sugar, have been occasionally reported but can vary widely and may not be related.
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Signs and symptoms
A smaller-than-expected adult weight is possible. Rarely, dogs with this variant may have low blood sugar, retained baby teeth, and a persistent puppy-like coat. Low blood sugar, if it occurs, causes lethargy and weakness. However, these issues are present across multiple toy breeds and may not be caused by this variant.
Dogs with this variant may never show clinical signs. Smaller stature may be noticeable if the puppy grows at a different rate than littermates without this variant. Low blood sugar is a potential issue common to most toy breeds but could persist beyond four months of age. Retained puppy teeth and puppy-like coats can only be noted at more than six months of age.Uncover health risks with Embark
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Diagnosis
Clinical history, genetic testing, and laboratory testing can be used to diagnose this form of Proportionate Dwarfism. Further research is needed to determine the full effects of this variant.
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Treatment
Our internal data suggests that most dogs with two copies of this variant will not require additional care than other toy breed puppies. If a complication occurs, your veterinarian may recommend various treatments, including correcting blood sugar or extracting retained baby teeth.
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What to do if your dog is at risk
Actions
- Talk to your vet about your dog’s proportionate dwarfism result so you can discuss any monitoring that may be helpful as your dog grows.
- Most dogs with this result live normal, healthy lives, but puppies may occasionally experience low blood sugar, especially if they miss a meal or overexert themselves.
- Watch for signs of hypoglycemia such as unusual tiredness, weakness, or wobbliness. If this happens, offer a small meal or a bit of a sugar source like corn syrup or honey rubbed gently on the gums.
- If your dog does not improve within a few minutes or shows severe signs such as collapse, contact your vet right away.
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Genetic Information
This variant was first described in the Chihuahua.
This variant is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that a dog requires two copies of the variant to show signs of proportionate dwarfism.
Gene names:
GH1 Exon 5 ‐ chr
Inheritance type:
recessive
Citations:
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Breeds affected
This health condition affects the following breeds
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