"Ding" puppies - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

Dobes4Life · 08-06-2010, 07:19 PM

Alright. I want to know what you know about Ding puppies, I was told by a vet that alot of times its due to a uterine infection before the puppies were born. some breeders claim they turn out ok some say they dont live long. Id like to know what you know and if you have any helpful links to read? im very intrigued.
how often does this happen? is this a common thing?

for those who may wonder what kind of ding puppy im talking about or are completely baffled, this is what im talking about

And im wondering about a true ding puppy a clinically diagnosed ding puppy.

YouTube - ‪"Ding" puppy‬&lrm;

Jen&Bambi · 08-06-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobes4Life

Alright. I want to know what you know about Ding puppies, I was told by a vet that alot of times its due to a uterine infection before the puppies were born. some breeders claim they turn out ok some say they dont live long. Id like to know what you know and if you have any helpful links to read? im very intrigued.
how often does this happen? is this a common thing?

for those who may wonder what kind of ding puppy im talking about or are completely baffled, this is what im talking about

And im wondering about a true ding puppy a clinically diagnosed ding puppy.

YouTube - ‪"Ding" puppy‬&lrm;

Is that like an extreme case of vertigo? Poor baby!

Also, do only females get it? Since you mentioned uterine infection?

Deathmetal · 08-06-2010, 08:27 PM

I did a quick google search and apparently one person believes it is caused by a middle ear infection.

Source: What is DING in a new born puppy? | Ding Ding Ding

Weird site name...but hey.

Also:

Re: Inner ear infection - 'ding' puppy

avianantics · 08-06-2010, 08:28 PM

I know nothing about Ding puppies, but I could never watch a puppy suffer like this. If it was my puppy I would euthanize her and end her suffering.

Deathmetal · 08-06-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avianantics

I know nothing about Ding puppies, but I could never watch a puppy suffer like this. If it was my puppy I would euthanize her and end her suffering.

I thought the very same thing when I opened it. I was basically in tears. But if you could heal her and it was something as simple as an ear infection would you be so quick with the needle? I'm not saying the websites are correct, I am a novice, but if there was a possibility...

Kim · 08-06-2010, 08:34 PM

OMG that vid was heartbreaking. I wonder what happened to her.

OldDrumDobes · 08-06-2010, 09:29 PM

Ding puppies are common in some pedigrees, and I would hope breeders would be aware and be careful. I have no personal experience. But from what I've been explained there are different levels of dings, ones that are outgrown, some that can be treated w/ antibiotics and some that are severe. Also been told you can tell from the start which pups have it and most people put them down. It's stopped me from breeding to certain dogs, that's for sure.

MaryAndDobes · 08-06-2010, 10:04 PM

I remember Judy Doniere writing that if you put them on clavamox immediately, you'd have a good chance of clearing them up as she claimed it was a vestibular infection. I remember a few years ago that a DPCA member was collecting info on ding puppies and I thought I read recently that one of the studies is collecting DNA on them.

I don't have any personal experience with them.

reddobes · 08-06-2010, 10:09 PM

Congenital peripheral vestibular disease attribute... [J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1991] - PubMed result

Vestibular Diseases - WSAVA 2002
(scroll down to "DISEASES CAUSING CENTRAL VESTIBULAR DYSFUNCTION")

Vestibular Disease Information From Embrace Pet Insurance

Vestibular Disease (Canine) | Diagnose Dog & Cat Health Problems, Pet Health Information

Vestibular Disease

Kansadobe · 08-06-2010, 10:40 PM

I have never had any of these puppies, but it seems that there is a genetic link to the propensity to have this condition. It seems to be a lot more common in some bloodlines than others.

the_discowhore · 08-06-2010, 11:43 PM

Interesting, I've never seen/heard of this before. That video made me want to cry though, poor puppy.

avianantics · 08-07-2010, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathmetal

But if you could heal her and it was something as simple as an ear infection would you be so quick with the needle?

That would be a different scenario altogether. Certainly I would treat if treatable. Again, I know nothing about Ding puppies... I now know more than I did last night.

Dobes4Life · 08-07-2010, 12:12 PM

jen&bambi --
I have been told that the most common cause is due to a uterine infection while the puppies are in the womb, the mother contracts the infection and it affects the puppies. most cases they are born with feces in their sacs with them and you can tell from the beginning which ones are ding's. I've also been told it causes no pain and some are deaf

I've never heard of it being genetic in the case of an infection and some vets and breeders claim some will clear up and be ok at 8-12 weeks.

i really appreciate these sites they are super helpful thanks everyone, i'd love to hear more

I didnt think i'd get this many informative responses

LindaH · 08-07-2010, 12:33 PM

From the website reddobes provided.

Vestibular Diseases - WSAVA 2002

About doberman puppies:

A congenital condition characterized by early onset of deafness and vestibular dysfunction has been reported in Doberman pinscher puppies. Signs of vestibular disease become evident between birth and 10 weeks of age. Puppies improve with age however, relapses may occur. Deafness occurs in all affected puppies. Pathological examination confirms loss of auditory sensory hair cells in the cochlea, and otoconial abnormalities or absence in maculae. The disorder in Doberman pinschers may have an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance

Then:

A similar disorder has been identified in beagle and Akita puppies, and in Siamese kittens. Congenital nystagmus in the absence of vestibular disease occurs sporadically in puppies. The nystagmus is usually pendulous, and resolves spontaneously. It has also been seen in Belgian shepherds with incomplete development of the optic chiasm. Congenital pendulous nystagmus may be "normal" in Siamese cats, where it is associated with genetically-determined abnormalities of the lateral geniculate nucleus and optic pathways.

Darkevs · 12-01-2012, 12:07 PM

always wondered about the so called 'ding' puppies..........

never seen one or know of anyone who has, but I have heard of them.

another DT thread got me thinking about it and wanting to know more.

and.....lo and behold..........google almost anything to do with dogs (not just doberman)

and just about everytime a DT page is first in line with the info needed.

thanks OP for starting this thread a couple of years ago..

great information.

StarlaineK9 · 12-01-2012, 12:27 PM

Vestibular syndrome is not that uncommon. It is a congenital malformation of the inner ear causing hearing loss and equilibrium problems, hence the name "dings".

I went to a seminar on this issue. Mark Neff, Ph.D is doing research on on this syndrome and has discovered a single gene mutation (autosomal recessive) that causes bilateral congenital vestibular disease. There should be a DNA test available shortly if it isn't already. So obviously there is a genetic link, which most long time breeders know already, as some pedigrees seem to produce them more frequently.

I know there has been a lot of talk about giving antibiotics to ding puppies and there has been some success, but according to Dr. Neff these puppies are not that same as those who have a genetic disorder and congenital deformity. There can be more that one cause of deafness, bacterial infections included.

Once you have seen a ding you won't forget it, and they are pretty easy to spot even right after birth. In my opinion, these puppies should be euthanized, even though in some cases, as the dogs grow older they learn to compensate for the equilibrium problem. They are all deaf, however and that presents other problems for the owner.

**Fitzmar Dobermans** · 12-01-2012, 04:33 PM

I've never produced a ding, but have seen them in rescue. Years ago two puppies came in from a byber who could not bring themselves to euth them. A volunteer fostered them in hopes that they would improve, but they didn't. Rescue ended up having to Euth them...... which is what the breeder should have done. It has been many years since I saw them, but it is not something you could ever forget - poor puppies!

sandy2233 · 12-01-2012, 05:09 PM

I couldn't even watch the whole video. Sad, Sad, Sad. Even being an old post. Don't think I could deal with watching an animal struggle like that.

jdd · 12-01-2012, 05:53 PM

I agree with Starlaine.

Chatty · 12-01-2012, 06:08 PM

The owner of this video commented that this puppy had a brain tumor, they had it autopsied. Despite that, it sounds like this is how a ding puppy acts.

So sad, I am so sensitive lately.

LindaH · 12-01-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitzmar Dobermans

I've never produced a ding, but have seen them in rescue. Years ago two puppies came in from a byber who could not bring themselves to euth them. A volunteer fostered them in hopes that they would improve, but they didn't. Rescue ended up having to Euth them...... which is what the breeder should have done. It has been many years since I saw them, but it is not something you could ever forget - poor puppies!

Isnt that what most byb do, put their responsibilities off on someone else???

**Fitzmar Dobermans** · 12-01-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH

Isnt that what most byb do, put their responsibilities off on someone else???

Ya!! No kidding!!

Von Siegruhm · 12-12-2012, 07:00 AM

I recently had a puppy that suffered from head trauma in in her lower right quadrant and it affected her sight, hearing, balance and mobility.. Many people thought it was Dings. However after about the 4th week I took her into a specialist and it was brain trauma.. However the specialist stated that part of the brain doesnt start to finish developing until 4-7mos of age and she may make a relatively significant recovery. At 3.5mos she was acting like a normal puppy with a mild off ness in gait and head carriage. She would still spin when really excited.

I only bring this up as a reminder to not prematurely judge a pups condition and euthanize. Make sure you see a specialist and rule out brain trauma or mild ear infections. Also, dont give up on your pups.. sometimes they can surprise you.

2.5weeks Ariel at 2 weeks and 2 days - YouTube
5hrs later Ariel 5 hr progression - YouTube
6weeks Ariel walking - YouTube
If I can find it i will load her video at 3.5mos.

JennZilla · 12-12-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobes4Life

Alright. I want to know what you know about Ding puppies, I was told by a vet that alot of times its due to a uterine infection before the puppies were born. some breeders claim they turn out ok some say they dont live long. Id like to know what you know and if you have any helpful links to read? im very intrigued.
how often does this happen? is this a common thing?

for those who may wonder what kind of ding puppy im talking about or are completely baffled, this is what im talking about

And im wondering about a true ding puppy a clinically diagnosed ding puppy.

YouTube - ‪"Ding" puppy‬&lrm;

I have also never heard the term "ding" .. but in the comments of this video the owner said the puppy passed and they had it autopsied. Had a brain tumor.