Cranioschisis in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Cranioschisis
Organ System: Musculoskeletal

Cranioschisis is a congenital defect characterized by a fissure or openings in or between the skull bones. This condition is caused by the failure of the cranial bones to fuse sagitally. In normal newborn pups, small soft spots on the skull can be felt only with a fingernail and these spots gradually close over as the skull bones grow and fuse. Pups with cranioschisis, however, have much larger soft spots and these become larger and more apparent as the cranial bones grow. They will also not grow normally, appearing as dwarves compared to their litter mates. Affected animals are either born dead, or die after a few weeks at most. Breeds usually affected include American cocker spaniel and English springer spaniel.

Breeds exposed to Cranioschisis – Research Reference
Labradoodle Cross – (Duval et al. 1999)
Cheasapeake Bay Retriever Cross – (Duval et al. 1999)
Chow Chow Cross – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Labrador Retriever Cross – (Duval et al. 1999)
American Akita Cross – (Duval et al. 1999)
Boxer Cross – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Neopolitan Mastiff Cross – (Duval et al. 1999)
Rottweiler Cross – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Akita Inu Cross – (Duval et al. 1999)
Newfoundland Cross – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
American Staffordshire Terrier Cross – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
St Bernard Cross – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Mastiff Cross – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Labrador Cross – (Duval et al. 1999)
Labrador – (Duval et al. 1999)
Akita Inu – (Duval et al. 1999)
Cheasapeake Bay Retriever – (Duval et al. 1999)
Labrador Retriever – (Duval et al. 1999)
Neopolitan Mastiff – (Duval et al. 1999)
American Akita – (Duval et al. 1999)
Japanese Akita – (Duval et al. 1999)
Labradoodle – (Duval et al. 1999)
American Staffordshire Terrier – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Boxer – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Chow Chow – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Mastiff – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Newfoundland – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Rottweiler – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
St Bernard – (Witsberger et al. 2008)
Japanese Akita Cross – (Duval et al. 1999)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Cranioschisis or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.