Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
The Irish Setter Club of America Health Committee is pleased to
report a new initiative in the search for a research study into
the causes of Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) in our breed.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has offered to take
and store blood samples from dogs who have been affected with
HOD until such time as these samples are needed for a new study.
OFA has also been in contact with the University of California
at Davis, which has retained the samples previously sent to
them. The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory there has indicated
that they will release those samples and related paperwork to
the OFA/CHIC Sample Repository data bank.
We encourage all those who have been anxious to get started on a
new HOD research venture to participate in this first step.
It is simple to do. All information on how to send blood samples
and information can be found on the following website:
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org This will put you on
the CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) web page. There you
will find a link to the CHIC DNA Repository. That will give you
details about this DNA storage bank and an application which you
may download, fill out and send to the address listed. You will
receive a survey form and a kit to take to your veterinarian.
The director of OFA encourages us to use blood samples rather
than cheek swabs. This is particularly important for ISCA
members because blood is stored at the University of Missouri
and cheek swabs are sent to the laboratory at UC Davis. Since
this laboratory appears to be no longer interested in our
project, it makes no sense to send anything there.
There is no fee for blood samples sent to OFA/CHIC Repository
from dogs who have been affected with HOD. You do not have to
send pedigrees as long as the sire and dam with their registered
numbers are provided. OFA/CHIC can access the rest of the
information through AKC when the time comes.
We are excited to have this opportunity and hope it leads to a
research project soon. Please help us by informing everyone who
has had experience with HOD and can provide the blood samples
and information to participate.
Connie Vanacore
Health Committee Chair
Chair ISCA Foundation
Member, AKC/CHF Grants committee
AKC Delegate
Protocol for treatment of Hypertrophic
Osteodystrophy (HOD) in Irish
Setters.
HOD is a serious illness affecting puppies, usually between 4-7
months of age. It is characterized by fever, pain, swelling of the
joints, lethargy, lack of appetite. If left untreated permanent
deformity of the front legs may occur. The treatment protocol
recommended here has been developed by ISCA member, S. Gary Brown,
DVM, an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Brown may be contacted at
gary@vetortho.com . It
is recommended that the dog’s veterinarian be the contact with Dr.
Brown for most efficient and timely treatment.
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Osteosarcoma Study
Funded by ISCA Foundation
The Health Committee has recommended that ISCA become part of a new
study into the genetic causes of certain types of cancer in canines.
Osteosarcoma is a major cause of death in large breed dogs, Irish
Setters among them. ISCA has participated in the first part of an
osteosarcoma study with the Broad Institute at MIT. This study has
been able to identify preliminary regions of the canine genome that
may influence risk in Rottweilers. This new study will continue this
work with two of the foremost cancer researchers in the world, Drs.
Matthew Breen and Jaime Modiano.
The study is called: Heritable and Sporadic Lesions in Canine
Osteosarcoma. The research will use advanced technology to pinpoint
specific genes that are associated with breed-dependent risk, using
Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers and other breeds. Since Irish Setters
are already in the Broad study, we feel this is a good opportunity
for us to continue this work. The ISCA Foundation has received two
large gifts totaling $5,100 which has been contributed to the AKC
Canine Health Foundation for this project.
OFA/DNA/CHIC Repository
OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) has established a DNA
repository into which individuals may contribute blood samples of
the dogs they own. The samples will be stored for use in future
research and would be available to researchers interested in
specific disease projects. At the National Specialty in Arizona on
April 10th our Health Clinic Blood draw will include the opportunity
for owners to participate. Blood drawn from dogs who have been
affected by any of the following three diseases, or who have had
affected siblings or parents will not be charged for this. They are:
epilepsy, osteosarcoma or HOD. All you need to do is to indicate on
the online form if your dogs have had any of these or if the
families have been involved with any of these three.
You can enter your dog’s blood into the repository even if you have
not experienced these particular problems. The ISCA Foundation will
pay the $20 entry fee for your participation.
Online forms are found either on the OFA website: www.offa.org or on
the ISCA website.
Questions can be answered by Connie Vanacore at
fcvanacore@aol.com or
Jan Ziech at JanRedDog@msn.com.
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Progressive Retinal
Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a disease
which causes dogs to become blind. This project, which is now
complete, was the focus of research for over 25 years. Due to the
support and diligence of Irish Setter owners and breeders,
scientists were able to discover the mutation on the gene which
causes PRA in Irish Setters. A DNA blood test was developed which
reveals normal dogs, carriers and affected dogs. Dogs can be tested
as soon after birth as it is safe to draw blood.
Before the discovery of the DNA blood test, breeders test-mated their
dogs, an arduous and heartbreaking process, in order to eliminate
carriers from the breeding pool. To keep track of those test-mated
dogs, the Irish
Setter Genetic Registry was formed, independently of ISCA, but
closely affiliated with it. ISGR monitored all the paperwork and
procedures that each individual followed. TM (test mated) numbers
were given to all those dogs passing a test mating. If two TM dogs
were mated, then their offspring were issued TMA (Test Mated
Ancestry) numbers.
Once the blood test was developed it was thought that ISGR would no
longer be needed, but breeders found there still exists a need for a
registry that would enable them to keep track of the status of their
blood tested offspring. For a
listing of dogs registered with ISGR, please consult the ISGR
website.
The blood test is administered by a veterinarian and sent to
Optigen, the only laboratory currently approved by ISCA to analyze
and record the data on individual dogs. Once the dog has been DNA
tested results are sent by Optigen to
CERF (Canine Eye
Registry Foundation) at the University of Illinois. The owners of the dog
receive a certificate from CERF,
which sends the results of dogs tested
clear to OFA who is now administering ISGR . The owner of the dog
must fill out an appropriate form and send it along to OFA with a
fee of $7.50 in order to be registered with ISGR.
If the sire and dam of a litter have both been DNA blood tested by
Optigen, their offspring can receive a Gene Tested Ancestry (GTA)
certificate. In order for this to be issued, the CERF certificate
must be submitted along with an application obtained from ISGR. The
combination of the DNA Optigen blood test, which enables the dog to
get a permanent CERF number and the ISGR registry, offers breeders
the proof that their puppies have been cleared of PRA.
For those interested in registering blood tested dogs with ISGR or
registering offspring of dogs already in the registry
contact:
Sandy Novocin, 14311 Shirley
Bohn Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771
Phone: 301.831.5969
All forms now should be sent to the following address:
ISGR
c/o OFA
2300 E. Nifong Blvd.
Columbia, Missouri 65201
Information about the DNA blood test can be obtained by contacting
Optigen at e-mail:
genetest@optigen.com or on the Optigen website:
www.optigen.com. All applications and instructions can be found
there.
To download the form for registering blood tested dogs with ISGR click
here.
To download the form for registering offspring of tested sires and
dams click here.
For information about CERF contact
www.vmdb.org.
Important Notice for Dogs to Be Tested by Optigen for
PRA
Make sure when getting dogs blood tested by Optigen for PRA that
you also register for CERF registration by paying the extra
fee. If you do not do that, none of dogs tested by Optigen or
their offspring will be eligible to be registered with ISGR.
CERF does not give numbers to offspring..(.only ISGR) so it is
important if your aim is to get numbers for the parents in ISGR
and any offspring that you also register for the CERF
registration fee on the Optigen registration form.
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PRA /
CLAD Testing at the 2008 National
Hi Everyone,
The Health Committee will offer its annual Health Clinic
blood draw at the National Specialty in April. If you
are interested in testing for PRA, CLAD or both I can
help you with the specifics. First of all, Optigen has a
very informative website (www.optigen.com) and Kate
Earle, the 20/20 Coordinator is a great resource
person(2020clinic@optigen.com) who will be willing to
answer any questions. Lastly feel free to email or call
me as well with any questions at 517-349-9848(eve.
phone) or rieglebj@msu.edu.
From the Optigen website you will see how to order
online and learn how to save with the discounts. Basicly,
the information states that if you order online you will
automatically receive a 5% discount. If you are
participating in the 20/20 clinic you will receive a 20%
discount off your order so all in all you will receive a
total of 25% savings on your order. When you fill out
the paperwork there will be a group discount box where
you can enter the code, ISCA84X and it will be available
from March 27 through April 10, 2008.
The prices for the tests are: rcd1-PRA - Progressive
Retinal Atrophy - $120.00, CLAD - Canine Leukocyte
Adhesion Deficiency - $135.00, CLAD/PRA Combo $200.00
If you have a dog or number of dogs that need to be
tested please consider this great opportunity. Dogs
do need to be present in order to participate in this
clinic. For
owners / dogs not able to attend the clinic at this
year's National, Optigen is also now offering something
new called "discount days". During discount days, anyone
anywhere may enter a test request with a special
discount code worth 15% off and ship the sample(s)
directly to Optigen for testing. The samples do not need
to be included with any others. The discount days are
not connected to any clinics. The first discount days
will be at the end of January and are called the "Winter
Discount Days"
Thank you,
Barbara Riegle, Coordinator
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Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
ISCA is a member of the
Canine
Health Information Center
(CHIC) which is a repository for information about the health
clearances for which Irish Setters have been tested.
The AKC Canine Health
Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the
Orthopedic Foundation
for Animals (OFA) jointly sponsor the CHIC database. The mission
statement of CHIC is to provide a source of health information for
owners, breeders and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy
dogs.
In order to enter an Irish Setter into the CHIC database, the Health
Committee determined that clearance information about hips, eyes and
thyroid must be included. Once a dog has been tested for these three
conditions it is eligible to be admitted to this data base. For the
exact tests required,
and to search for
Irish Setters listed with CHIC, consult the CHIC website.
Recommendations
The Irish Setter Club of America recommends that
dogs used for breeding have all available veterinary health
clearances. The most often used tests are those that measure eyes
(PRA), thyroid levels and hips. Hip X-rays are used to determine the
status of a dog’s hips. A veterinarian performs X-rays and the
radiographs are usually sent to the
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) where a panel of
veterinarians grades them. Hips are rated Excellent, Good, Fair or
with 4 grades of dysplasia. Another method of evaluating hips is
done through PennHip. OFA now recognizes hip evaluations from
PennHip.
Other Research Projects
Bloat
The largest study ever undertaken into the causes
and risk factors leading to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus- GDV)
in large and giant breed dogs was undertaken at Purdue University
over a period of 5 years. The study was conducted by Dr. Larry
Glickman at Purdue and involved almost 2,000 dogs. The study was
begun with support from Morris Animal Foundation and ISCA. We were
one of the first breeds to enter the study and our participation
gave impetus to the AKC Canine Health Foundation to enter. As a
result eleven breeds were included in the study. Findings were
published in several issues of the Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association and summaries appeared in several
issues of the ISCA Memo To Members starting in April, 2000. More
complete information can be found on the
Purdue Epidemiology
website.
Epilepsy
ISCA has supported research into finding the causes
for idiopathic epilepsy in our breed. We have been part of the study
undertaken at the University of Missouri School of Veterinary
Medicine in conjunction with the University of Minnesota College of
Veterinary Medicine. This study is ongoing. For information about
epilepsy or to join the study, contact the canine epilepsy network
at: www.canine-epilepsy.net
The U of Missouri is working in conjunction with a lab in
Finland which has just been awarded more than $1 million to study
epilepsy through SNP mapping. They are accepting new blood samples.
Those who would like to participate can do so by logging on to the U
of Missouri epilepsy network
www.canine-epilepsy.net
. There is a link there to access an online seizure survey and a
sample submission form.
VonWillebrand’s Disease
In April and May 2005, over 200 samples
were collected from Irish Setters to determine the presence of VonWillebrand's Disease, astounding the veterinarians at Cornell.
You all can be proud of our willingness to cooperate in this study.
The Health Committee approved a suggestion by the research
veterinarian at Cornell to cooperate with the research team at the
British Animal Trust in England. Follow up testing is dependent upon
research at British Animal Trust.
Health Information for Irish Setter Owners
The Health Committee has published an informative
booklet which breeders and owners will find useful in identifying
what is normal in growing puppies and older dogs. It describes many
conditions which affect our breed. The book costs $3.00 for
individual copies and $2.50 for multiples of 10 copies. They are
ideal to include in puppy packets. Available from Connie Vanacore or
from ISCA Secretary, Fran Sloughy, 20 Maple Shade Lane, Fleetwood,
PA 19522. Make checks payable to the ISCA Foundation.
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