Coton de Tulear Health
It’s apparent that the health of the Coton de Tulear has many aspects. Thus said I feel it is far more complex and a comprehensive understanding of the difference between recessive and dominant disorders and why some need carriers within breeding programs and other disorders need much greater care taken.
There are a number of disorders that can affect the Coton de Tulear.
However the main focus should be on which disorders if the dog is affected by them, would affect the owners life significantly in respects of monitory aspects, insurance expense, emotional and severity of operations.
The first disorder would be cddy chondrodystrophy as this condition can lead to IVDD.
The second disorder is called DM Canine degenerative myelopathy, also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, an incurable, progressive disease of the canine spinal cord. This condition is often confused for chondrodystrophy (CDDY).
Both these disorders affect the Coton due to them being a chondrodysplasia breed. Which simply means they have dwarfism
A third condition related to the fact the Coton is a chondrodysplasia breed is ALD angular limb deformity is an abnormal bend or twist in a limb resulting in a loss of normal bone and joint alignment. The three most common types of angular limb deformities in dogs are: Premature closure of the distal (lower) physis (growth plate) of the ulna (one of the paired bones of the forearm). Many cotons in pet homes and show homes can be seen to have ALD (it’s often known as 10 to 2 on a clock face in appearance rather than having straight legs. This is due to the cotons shoulders being set in a laid back stance.
These conditions are also dominant which means they don’t miss generations as recessive disorders do and run down certain lines so harder to breed out of the Coton de Tulear completely, but with careful breeding programs it can be done with understanding.
Each of these conditions cost £12-14k for just one operation, and many more maybe needed sadly, so it’s imperative that the club focus on these in order to prevent any Coton owner from going through corrective operations as not only the monetary expense but the emotional price can destroy families.