Congenital and Hereditary Conditions

Question 1

Atresia

Answer 1

‘A passage in the animals is unusually narrow or absent. It can affect many parts of the body and requires veterinary advice’

• oesophageal atresia = oesophagus ends in pouch and so doesn’t allow access to the stomach.
• pulmonary atresia = pulmonary valve doesn’t form properly so blood cannot flow through the heart

Question 2

Cryptorchidism

Answer 2

• one or both of the testes do not descend from the abdominal cavity to the scrotum, leading to fertility problems

Question 3

Glycogen storage disease

Answer 3

• The animal doesn’t have all the enzymes needed to convert glycogen (energy storage molecule in the body) into the form of energy the body can use, resulting in poor growth. Observed in: dogs, cats, cattle, quail, chickens, mice, and rats.

Question 4

Hernia

Answer 4

• An abdominal opening in muscle, allowing other body tissues to pass through. There are three main types:

1. Inguinal hernia
2. Umbilical hernia
3. Diaphragmatic hernia

• if the protruding tissue becomes strangluated ( has had the blood supply cut off), there is a risk of infection and tissue death

Question 5

Poor weight gain

Answer 5

• general poor development and low weight gain

Question 6

Polydactyly

Answer 6

• The animal has extra digits on one or more limbs. In some species, this is encouraged, such as dogs working on snowy ground where extra grip is beneficial

Question 7

Scoliosis

Answer 7

• Crooked aligned vertebrae, leaving the animal with a curve in their spine.