Category: Inherited Disorders

Cure for Inherited Day Blindness in Canines

Gene Therapy Cures Canines of Inherited Form of Day Blindness, Penn Veterinary Researchers Say
April 21, 2010
PHILADELPHIA- Veterinary ophthalmology researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have used gene therapy to restore retinal cone function and day vision in two canine models of congenital achromatopsia, also called rod monochromacy or total color blindness.
Continue reading Cure for Inherited Day Blindness in Canines

Code of practice ; breeding animals

From Victoria, Australia
Department of Primary Industries 2009

Breeding programs must consider the effects and ethics of high risk mating combinations that may, based on the principles of genetic inheritance, in theory produce animals with heritable disease. Where such heritable disease has potential to cause severe welfare issues for affected progeny such breeding programs must be justifiable. Affected progeny must be assessed and humanely destroyed if they suffer. Such animals must not be used for breeding. Continue reading Code of practice ; breeding animals

Canine epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurologic brain disease which has seizure activity as its symptom. The seizure can be from mild to severe and may be proceeded by a sign (aura) from the dog, such as whining, pacing, or there may be no sign, or it may be missed by the owner. There are medications for treatment.

The very best articles on Epilepsy and its treatment options are at :

http://www.labbies.com/epilepsy.htm

Dr Dodds  questions on the implication of frequent vaccination on seizure activity :

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/chang_vac.htm

Auto-immune problems with breeding

http://www.ashgi.org/articles/immune_rising_storm.htm
The Rising Storm: What Breeders Need to Know about the Immune System
Winner of 2002 AKC/CHF Golden Paw Award
First published in the Aussie Times, May-June 2002
by C.A. Sharp
A complex and threatening storm is gathering on horizon. Reports of immune-mediated disease are on the rise in Australian Shepherds, as well as other purebred dogs. In magazines, on Internet discussion lists and at gatherings devoted to dogs autoimmune disease and allergies are regular topics. Continue reading Auto-immune problems with breeding

Inherited disorders database

Canine Inherited Disorders Database
This website is useful for:
* dog owners whose pet has been found to have an inherited condition
* potential dog owners who want help in avoiding these problems when choosing a pet
* veterinarians looking for current information on both well-known and more obscure genetic disorders, including diagnostic and therapeutic information
* dog breeders who are looking for suggestions on how to avoid these conditions in their lines of dogs
http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/intro.htm<

Canine diversity project

Canine Diversity Project

“The Canine Diversity Project is an attempt to acquaint breeders of domesticated Canidae (dogs) with the dangers of inbreeding and the overuse of popular sires .Both lead to the indiscriminate loss of genetic diversity and increase the frequency of genetic problems in the population. These abuses have not been restricted to dogs, but have also occurred in horses, cattle and many other domestic animals, largely as a consequence of outdated beliefs dating back to the early days of genetics. Even their wild cousins have been the unfortunate victims of genetic malpractice by zoos. Fortunately, zoo biologists have recognized the dangers to these and many other species, and Species Survival Plans have been developed for many.
Though, as a species, Canis familiaris is not endangered, a number of breeds are in as much danger of extinction as some of their wild cousins ..If different varieties of wolves are worthy of preservation, are not the different breeds of domestic dogs equally worthy? Continue reading Canine diversity project