A genetic defect can occur in dogs, cats, ferrets and any other animal species. This is a mutation, i.e. a change in the genetic material that has harmful effects on the organism. A well-known and relatively widespread mutation in humans is red-green color blindness. This means that many people cannot or only with difficulty distinguish between red and green colors.
A genetic defect in a dog can manifest itself in various ways. For example, if there is a genetic defect in the MDR1 gene, medicinal substances are not processed correctly and can therefore have life-threatening effects. A genetic defect in a dog often also leads to hair loss, which is why bald patches form. To be certain about a possible genetic defect, genetic tests are recommended, which you should ideally have carried out in a veterinary practice.
Depending on the diagnosis, you can react to the genetic defect with BARF . For example, your dog will not need medication and will instead receive food that is particularly well-suited to providing various vitamins and nutrients. Discuss this BARF dog food closely with your vet. The same applies, of course, if your cat has genetic defects, which can manifest themselves through similar symptoms.
