Clinical Genetics of the Congenital Sensorineural Deafness in Dalmatian Dogs

Abstract

Canine congenital sensorineural deafness (CCSD) is currently the most frequent clinical presentation of sensorineural deafness in dogs. Years of investigation stipulate that CCSD in Dalmatians occur by a multifactorial genetic defect involving the cumulative effects of several genes and environmental factors. An overview of the aetiology, prevalence, phenotypic and gender associations, mode of inheritance and diagnosis of CCSD in Dalmatians is discussed in this review of literature. Molecular genetic approaches to canine deafness such as comparative genomics have been used to develop the understanding in CCSD in Dalmatians. The diagnosis and treatment options for the disease vary depending on the severity and lifestyle of the dog. Deafness is often diagnosed in different dog breeds and has been identified as a significant problem for breeders, owners and clinicians. Currently, further research into possible candidate genes involving the manifestation of CCSD in Dalmatians are continuously being carried out. This molecular genetic approach to canine hearing loss and use of comparative genomics could help reduce the prevalence of deafness in affected breeds leading to new insights into the molecular mechanisms of auditory function in both dogs and human.