A new study has revealed that the number of pedigree dogs at risk of often painful and debilitating inherited diseases is being dramatically reduced by responsible breeders. Statistics on the number of dogs tested and recorded by the Kennel Club can be accessed in the Kennel Club’s Dog Health Group Annual Report. BSAVA is represented on the Group and more can be read about the work of the Group in the recent Companion article A Matter of Policy.
The research, carried out by scientists who work for the Kennel Club and the Animal Health Trust, examined the long-term impact of dog breeders using DNA tests to avoid producing puppies affected by inherited conditions. The study specifically examined DNA tests for eight diseases in eight breeds. Researchers discovered that approximately ten years after each DNA test became available, the gene mutations that caused the diseases had decreased in each breed by a staggering 90 per cent or more.
The study examined data for diseases such as progressive rod cone degeneration (prcd-PRA), an irreversible and blinding condition that cannot be treated; Spinocerebellar ataxia, a neurological condition that leads to incoordination and loss of balance in puppies and primary lens luxation, a painful and blinding inherited eye condition...
Follow the link to read the article in full on the BSAVA website