As well as the health information below, more information is in the Useful Links and Articles section
Lynda Heron is our Breed Health Representative and Breed Council Representative email: ndlabclub@gmail.com
PAWPRINT GENETICS Have once again offered a very good discount for the UK Labrador Retriever Breed Council on DNA panel testing using DISCOUNT CODE UKBCLR22
DNA TESTING
Testing with Pawprints using the UK BREED COUNCIL panel of seven health issues currently costs around £100 when using the code UKBCLR22 at checkout.
It may be worth remembering at this point the change due Jan 2022 which will require dogs to be tested every 3rd generation. Most Laboratories are bringing these online as part of their offered test MACULAR CORNEAL DYSTROPHY AND STARGARDTS DISEASE
It may be worth remembering at this point the change due Jan 2022 which will require dogs to be tested every 3rd generation. Most Laboratories are bringing these online as part of their offered test MACULAR CORNEAL DYSTROPHY AND STARGARDTS DISEASE
MACULAR CORNEAL DYSTROPHY
Macular corneal dystrophy is an inherited, progressive eye disease.
Affected dogs frequently present around 4 to 6 years of age with clouding of their corneas accompanied by pinpoint white to gray spots made up of an accumulation of a carbohydrate known as glycosaminoglycan. Some affected dogs will also display growth of new blood vessels across the surface of their corneas. The disease will typically progress to compromise vision.
Genetic testing of the CHST6 gene will reliably determine whether a dog is a genetic Carrier of macular corneal dystrophy. Macular corneal dystrophy is inherited in an Autosomal Recessive manner in dogs meaning that they must receive two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease.
In general, carrier dogs do not have features of the disease but when bred with another carrier of the same Mutation, there is a risk of having affected pups. Each pup that is born to this pairing has a 25% chance of inheriting the disease and a 50% chance of inheriting one copy and being a carrier of the CHST6 gene mutation.
Reliable genetic testing is important for determining breeding practices. In order to eliminate this mutation from breeding lines and to avoid the potential of producing affected pups, breeding of known carriers to each other is not recommended. Dogs that are not carriers of the mutation have no increased risk of having affected pups.
Affected dogs frequently present around 4 to 6 years of age with clouding of their corneas accompanied by pinpoint white to gray spots made up of an accumulation of a carbohydrate known as glycosaminoglycan. Some affected dogs will also display growth of new blood vessels across the surface of their corneas. The disease will typically progress to compromise vision.
Genetic testing of the CHST6 gene will reliably determine whether a dog is a genetic Carrier of macular corneal dystrophy. Macular corneal dystrophy is inherited in an Autosomal Recessive manner in dogs meaning that they must receive two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease.
In general, carrier dogs do not have features of the disease but when bred with another carrier of the same Mutation, there is a risk of having affected pups. Each pup that is born to this pairing has a 25% chance of inheriting the disease and a 50% chance of inheriting one copy and being a carrier of the CHST6 gene mutation.
Reliable genetic testing is important for determining breeding practices. In order to eliminate this mutation from breeding lines and to avoid the potential of producing affected pups, breeding of known carriers to each other is not recommended. Dogs that are not carriers of the mutation have no increased risk of having affected pups.
STARGARDTS DISEASE
Stargardt disease is an inherited eye disease affecting dogs. It is caused by the degeneration of both Rod and cone type Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina, which are important for vision in dim and bright light, respectively.
Affected dogs present prior to 10 years of age with signs of vision loss including dilated pupils and decreased response to light. Affected dogs will have changes in reflectivity and appearance of a structure behind the retina called the Tapetum that can be observed on a veterinary eye exam.
Additionally, thinning of the retinal blood vessels can be observed on a veterinary eye exam. Dogs may not completely lose their vision during their lifetime, but will develop significant loss of vision, especially in well-lit environments.
Genetic testing of the ABCA4 gene will reliably determine whether a dog is a genetic Carrier of Stargardt disease. Stargardt Disease is inherited in an Autosomal Recessive manner in dogs meaning that they must receive two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease.
In general, carrier dogs do not have features of the disease but when bred with another carrier of the same Mutation, there is a risk of having affected pups. Each pup that is born to this pairing has a 25% chance of inheriting the disease and a 50% chance of inheriting one copy and being a carrier of the ABCA4 gene mutation.
Reliable genetic testing is important for determining breeding practices. Because symptoms do not appear until adulthood, genetic testing should be performed before breeding. In order to eliminate this mutation from breeding lines and to avoid the potential of producing affected pups, breeding of known carriers to each other is not recommended.
Dogs that are not carriers of the mutation have no increased risk of having affected pups.
An interesting read regarding early neutering and spaying
https://www.doglistener.co.uk/neutering_definitive
https://www.doglistener.co.uk/neutering_definitive
Click here for the updated BVA Eye booklet - including DNA testing