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can animals have down syndrome?
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but dont you agree that the OP seems to have caught it?
nimbus
New member
that's no way to talk about someone who's dog just got diagnosed with adhd, the plague, and athlete's foot
snacky cake
Banned
Well, Downs Syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome 21, which I think is only a human chromosome. Now, I think animals can have mental retardation caused by a trisomy condition such as this but it wouldn't be on the 21st chromosome and therefore wouldn't be called Down's Syndrome.
I think that is the right answer, anyway.
So, yes, they can be mentally handicapped but we don't call is down's syndrome.
I think that is the right answer, anyway.
So, yes, they can be mentally handicapped but we don't call is down's syndrome.
I've owned a couple of animals that were "tetched" to put it nicely, but what ^ said about Down syndrome.
If you think your dog has ADHD then to I'm hearing you're saying he's hyperactive and maybe a little neurotic, destructive, or generally twitchy. That's sort of standard issue with certain breeds (i.e., lots of terriers, beagles, chihuahuas, most small breeds).
If you think your dog has ADHD then to I'm hearing you're saying he's hyperactive and maybe a little neurotic, destructive, or generally twitchy. That's sort of standard issue with certain breeds (i.e., lots of terriers, beagles, chihuahuas, most small breeds).
Monkeys can't, we're genetically superior.
Creepusmaximus
New member
Not really true. Many owners of small breeds don't treat their dogs like dogs and they get all confused. Leds to choas.
I have two schnauzers and I can tell you first problem with these guys is boredom. A tired schnauzer is a good schnauzer. They also need to know whose in charge and that would mean they don't think they are in charge.
Creepusmaximus
New member
My guys are all whipped up since the temps dropped. That pic of the black one is after a little shroom eating in the backyard.
I can't disagree with you, but since lack of exercise (and two walks a day is NOWHERE near enough exercise for your average big dog) leads to neurotic/hyperactive behavior so it's sort of a round and round. Many of the small terriers, especially, are working breeds and don't get nearly the level of activity their ancestors were designed to have the endurance for, that's not the dogs fault, that's the owners for not understanding the demands of the dog.
And, yes, too many people treat dogs like extremely spoiled children which leads to a whole different set of problems so you're layering in problem on top of problem.
However, I've never, in my life, met a "normal" chihuahua, ever, they're all fucking yappy, nippy spastic nutjobs. There's a couple of other breeds I could say the same thing about (Pomeranians come to mind immediately).
chris302001
Banned
You're right and your wrong. Downs is caused by trisomy 21, and it an be from a true extra chromo or it can be from nondisjunction. Dogs actually have more chromosomes than we do. They have 38 pairs while we have 23. So........technically.......they could have trisomy 21 but after a brief search and not finding anything about trisomy 21 in canines, my guess is trisomy 21 is incompatible with life. (love that phrase). That's not to say that a different genetic (does not have to be a trisomy exclusively) defect couldnt cause Down's like symptoms in dogs.
snacky cake
Banned
I don't think any of what you said is mutually exclusive of what I said. I didn't say that a trisomy condition is the only thing that can cause a mental handicap in dogs. I just said that I trisomy condition could cause it but it wouldn't be called Down's Syndrome in a dog because it wouldn't be on the 21st chromosome. I don't think chromosome 21 trisomy in dogs is the same as in humans.
chris302001
Banned
Yeah I didnt really read your whole post before replying to it lol
snacky cake
Banned
gotcha...lol
chris302001
Banned
And when I read your post it sounded like you were saying humans were the only one with a 21st chromosome. I know that isnt what you were saying. But it does bring up a peculiarity in that the number of chromosomes is not linked in any way to intelligence or complexity. The animal with the most chromosomes (I believe) is the hermit crab, and the organism with most chromosomes overall is some kind of fern. Ehhhh, forgive my ignorance and inability to read the whole post before replying. lol
snacky cake
Banned
That is interesting -- ferns and crabs. who would have known? That is weird.
