HealthGene's Canine Bulletin
(09.28.2005)
IN BRIEF
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HAVE A DOG - BE HAPPY
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According to recently published results for the National
Pets Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association,
most owners agree that pets help a lot in improving mental
and emotional well being. The top four benefits of being a dog guardian
are:
1. Companionship, love, company, affection - 97%
2. Fun to watch, have in household - 78%
3. Like a child / family member - 74%
4. Relaxation / relieves stress - 60%
Source: Animal Wellness Magazine (Oct./ Nov. 2005)
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EAR INFECTION IS THE MOST FREQUENT PROBLEM IN DOGS
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Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency has
reviewed claims from its clients for 2004 to identify the most common
reasons owners took their pets for a veterinary visit. The top 10 listed
dog problems based on this review are: 1 - ear infection; 2 - skin
allergy; 3 - stomach upset; 4 - benign tumors; 5 - bladder infection;
6 - skin infection; 7 - sprain; 8 - eye infection; 9 - colitis;
10 - skin laceration.
Source: Vet Practice News
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HEALTHGENE'S HIGHLIGHTS
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NEW TEST FOR BLACK HAIR FOLLICULAR DYSPLASIA
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HealthGene Laboratory is proud to offer a new test for
Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia in Large Musterlanders. Large Munsterlanders occasionally carry the "ff" alleles for Black
Hair Follicular Dysplasia. This disorder results in dogs that are gray
and white instead of black and white. Hair in the gray areas is
very brittle and tends to break off within several weeks after it grows
in, but hair in the white areas is normal. To learn more on how to order
this test, please visit http://www.healthgene.com/canine/C140.asp.
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A MYSTERY OF DRUG SENSITIVITY IN DOGS CAN BE PUT TO REST!
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When heartworm prevention medication was introduced in
1983, it was considered a major advancement in veterinary medicine.
Widespread use of the medication and popular belief that even large doses
can be safely given to dogs, led to a new problem especially
prevalent in one breed - Collies. When given a high dosage of the heartworm
medication, many Collies developed severe neurological signs that
often resulted in death due to respiratory arrest. The symptoms would
appear within 8 to 24 hours characterized by dilated pupils and
blindness and progressing into lack of coordination and inability to
stand. In severe cases, the problem would develop into coma followed
by death.
Early studies established a clear link between affected
dogs and a high level of an ivermectin, an antiparasite medication.
Even though a controlled low dosage of the heartworm medication allowed
for noticeable reduction of side effects, unexplained cases
of toxic reactions to certain drugs in certain breeds would still
be recorded and remained a mystery. Statistical data on drug sensitivity
included, in addition to Collies, such breeds as Australian Shepherds,
Bearded Collies, Border Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, etc. and
drugs ranging from an over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication Loperamide
and pain controller Butorphanol to some chemotherapy drugs.
The mystery has finally been solved. A recent study by
Dr. Katrina Mealey at the College of Veterinary Medicine of Washington
State University has identified that the problem of drug sensitivity
relates to a genetic mutation in the multidrug-resistance gene
(MDR1). One of the responsibilities of the gene MDR1 is the production
of a protein called P-glycoprotein (P-gp). This protein allows
many toxins and drugs to be removed from the brain. An affected
dog lacks functional P-glycoprotein that leads to toxins not being
pumped out of the brain and, as a consequence, to an abnormal neurological reaction. The mutation has an autosomal recessive way
of inheritance which means that, in order to be affected
(super sensitive to drugs), a dog has to have both genes mutated.
However, even the presence of a single mutation increases drug
sensitivity in a dog. A new DNA test for the presence of the mutation in MDR1
gene allows for the detection of affected dogs as well as dogs carrying
a
single mutation. Knowing the dog's status will help veterinarians
to properly administer treatment and will help breeders to
eliminate this disease in their bloodlines. To learn more about ordering
the test, please visit www.healthgene.com/canine/C142.asp
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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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