HealthGene's Canine Bulletin
(01.17.2005)
IN BRIEF
========
CANINE DISTEMPER OUTBREAK IN LOS ANGELES
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According to the Los Angeles Daily News,
canine distemper outbreak was reported last month by Los Angeles
Animal Services. The outbreak was announced after approximately
six infected dogs were brought into the city's shelters. Canine
distemper is a highly contagious airborne virus that attacks
the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system of dogs
and puppies, according to the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA).
Symptoms include fever, eye inflammation and discharge, nasal
discharge, reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and lack of
energy. Officials are urging pet owners to get their dogs
vaccinated.
Source: VetPractiveNews.com
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SIX MORE BREEDS ADDED TO AKC REGISTRY IN
2004
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The American Kennel Club announced six new breeds to be added
to the club's Foundation Stock Service registry. These breeds
are: Estrela Mountain Dog, Grand Basset Griffon, Vendeen,
Kooikerhondje, Mudi, Portuguese Podengo, Rat Terrier.
Source: American Kennel Club (www.akc.org)
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FIRST DOG EPILEPSY GENE IDENTIFIED
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Researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children
(Toronto, Canada) in collaboration with veterinary neurologists
in England have identified the gene that may be responsible
for a rare form of epilepsy in dogs - progressive myoclonic
epilepsy. While numerous genes associated with human epilepsy
have already been found, this is the first gene associated
with canine epilepsy to be discovered. Statistically, 5-10
percent of dogs have epilepsy compared to about 1 percent
in humans. The dogs most commonly affected by this form are
purebred dogs, such as basset hounds, miniature and standard
poodles, pointers, corgis, beagles and daschunds, according
to the study.
Source: Forbes.com
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HEALTHGENE'S HIGHLIGHTS
=======================
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
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HealthGene Laboratory has entered into the
final stage of preparation with a new DNA test for Canine
Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy (PME). The mutation has recently
been discovered at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto,
Canada, and has been confirmed in two breeds - miniature wirehaired
dachshunds and basset hounds. HealthGene Laboratory invites
breeders and pet owners to submit samples from purebreed dogs
with confirmed epilepsy.
HealthGene will attempt to identify the presence of the mutation
in other breeds.
For more information, please contact us at 1-877-371-1551
or cpme-research@healthgene.com
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CANINE BLASTOMYCOSIS
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Blastomycosis is a serious fungal infection caused by the
pathogen Blastomyces dermatitidis. In nature, this organism
is present in two forms: a thread-like one that lives in soil
and forms spores, and a rounded, thick-walled yeast form that
lives inside the body. With regard to these two forms, only
the spores are infectious, and, when inhaled infect the respiratory
tract and usually cause pneumonia. If undetected or untreated,
the infection can spread to other parts of the body including
joints, bones, and the nervous system. Blastomyces dermatitidis
can also enter the body through open wounds causing skin infections.
Blastomyces grows as a mold in moist soil
and has been reportedly widespread in some areas of the United
States and Canada. Even though, blastomycosis is not a reportable
disease at the national level, certain states require that
cases of the disease be reported to the state health officials.
For example, in Wisconsin there are approximately 50-60 reported
human cases, and probably 10 to 100 fold more cases in dogs
each year. Even these rates are likely underestimated as many
pet owners seek veterinary assistance only when their dogs
develop significant respiratory problems.
Currently, the diagnosis of blastomycosis
is most frequently based on analyzing clinical signs of suspicious
animals. Available serological tests based on antibody response
are not always reliable due to many false positive results,
especially if the animal lives in the area where blastomyces
dermatitidis is widespread. DNA technology offers the only
accurate and specific identification of the organism. This
type of testing also allows for very early detection of the
infection. Infected tissue, lung wash, and blood should be
submitted for DNA analysis.
While it is possible to cure the disease,
the treatment is often intensive and may be very long. Common
antibiotics are ineffective against fungal infections as these
organisms have morphological and biochemical characteristics
far different from the bacteria. The availability of the antifungal
drugs is limited in number, and furthermore, its application
should be carefully supervised by a veterinarian because of
possible hormonal disturbances in the host animal. It is advisable
to repeat a DNA test in two weeks after the treatment to confirm
the removal of the infection.
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HealthGene offers lectures for kennel clubs
in Ontario, Canada. For more information, call 416-658-2040
or e-mail info@healthgene.com
If you would like to use any information available
on www.healthgene.com or in this bulletin for your club's
newsletter, please contact us by e-mail at info@healthgene.com
or by phone - 416-658-2040.
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