Disease overview

Hypocatalasia is a metabolic condition resulting from reduced amounts of catalase. Catalase is an enzyme that fights reactive oxygen species that cause cellular damage. Since there are many other enzymes that also have this role, hypocatalasia is usually a benign condition. However, there is a severe form of this condition, called Takahara's disease, that causes oral ulcers and can lead to breathing and eating difficulties.

Gene name

CAT

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

Most dogs are asymptomatic and show no clinical signs. In severe cases, oral ulcers can develop and cause breathing and eating difficulty.

How is it diagnosed

A veterinarian will conduct a thorough exam, including a review of health history and any clinical signs. An oral exam can detect signs of ulcers. Genetic testing is necessary to determine if there is an underlying genetic cause, which can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Breeds at higher risk

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Citations

Donner J, Kaukonen M, Anderson H, Möller F, Kyöstilä K, Sankari S, Hytönen M, Giger U, Lohi H. Genetic Panel Screening of Nearly 100 Mutations Reveals New Insights into the Breed Distribution of Risk Variants for Canine Hereditary Disorders. PLoS One. 2016 Aug 15;11(8):e0161005. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161005. PMID: 27525650; PMCID: PMC4985128.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.