Health Schemes
HEART TESTING
There has been a small number of Field Spaniels which have had heart
problems. In order to keep breast of this situation the FSS Health Committee
organise a bi-annual Heart Testing session.
Aims
To identify dogs free from any cardiac abnormality.
To ascertain the prevalence of heart murmurs, abnormal rhythms or
specific heart defects in Field Spaniels.
To confirm the cause of heart murmurs or abnormal rhythms by further
investigation of affected animals
To collate data for investigation of a possible genetic basis to a
specific heart problem in a given breed by a breed club nominated person,
geneticist or veterinary surgeon
To advise the owner, breeder and dog's veterinary surgeon when an
abnormality has been identified and recommendations about any further
investigation, if indicated
We use the Auscultation (examination with a stethoscope) method of
heart testing. This is an essential part of examining the animals' heart
and circulation. Any heart murmurs are identified, timed, localised
and graded (grade 0 - 6).
David Fisher is a specialist in this area and he has special multi-copy
forms which he completes and gives one for the owner; one for the breed
club and one for your veterinary. Heart testing is recommended to be
carried out at 2 yearly intervals for Field Spaniels.
Hip Dysplasia Scheme
Hip Dysplasia (HD) is a term which encompasses a number of specific
developmental and other abnormalities involving the hip joint. Developmental
changes come first and being related mainly to growth are known as primary
changes. Others come later; these are related to wear and tear from
usage and are termed secondary changes. The end result is that one or
a pair of joints becomes mechanically unsound and therefore does not
function properly. An unsound joint is usually a painful one and lameness
will result. In extreme cases the dog may find movement very difficult
and much suffering will be involved.
It was in the light of these findings that the British Veterinary Association
(BVA) and the Kennel Club (KC) developed a scheme some 30 years ago
to assess the degree of hip malformation of dogs through radiography.
Over this time almost 100,000 radiographs (X-rays) have been examined
to provide a standardised pinion on HD status, principally for the use
of breeders.
THE BVA/KC HD SCHEME
All radiographs submitted to the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme are assessed
by means of scoring. The hip score is the sum of the points awarded
for each of nine radiographic features of both hip joints. The lower
the hips score the less the degree of hip dysplasia present. The minimum
(best) score for each hip is zero and the maximum (worst) is 53, giving
a range for the total of 0 to 106 The average score of the breed, or
the 'breed mean score', is calculated from all the scores recorded for
a given breed and is shown alongside its range thereby giving a representation
of the overall hip status of the breed. All breeders wishing to try
to control HD should breed only from animals with hip scores well below
the breed mean score.
For the hip scoring scheme to be meaningful and successful in the attempt
to control this serious disease it is important that all radiographs
taken under the scheme are submitted for scoring, whatever the apparent
state of the hips, in order that the information gathered is as relevant
as possible. It is only by this means that proper conclusions may be
drawn by the scheme's statisticians, geneticists and veterinary advisers.
Currently some hips predicted to have a higher hip score are being held
back from scoring. This and the fact that there have been few dogs scored
since the scheme began means that the mean breed score may be distorted.
There are some specialist vets that do hip x-rays for the BVA / KC
scheme that breeders like to go to. Some of these can do this with sedation
rather than a full anaesthetic. If your vet is to use sedation, please
remember to avoid Acepromazine (ACP) as this may have negative side
effects.
The current mean hip score for Field Spaniels is 15 based on 110 dogs
being scored.
Eye Testing
The BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme offers breeders the possibility of eye testing
to screen for inherited eye disease in certain breeds. The main purpose
of the scheme is to ensure that there is no evidence of hereditary eye
disease in dogs used for breeding. Breeders are often advised to submit
dogs for annual eye tests, since some diseases have late onset of clinical
signs. However, it is also possible for litters to be tested for congenital
hereditary conditions such as Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia when they
are between six and twelve weeks of age. By screening breeding stock
for these diseases, breeders can use the information to eliminate or
reduce the frequency of eye disease being passed on to puppies.
Although any breed can be examined for eye disease, currently only the
results of those breeds that appear on Schedule A of the Eye Scheme
are sent to the Kennel Club for inclusion on computer records and printing
in the Breed Records Supplement (BRS).
Currently the Field Spaniel is on Schedule B (under Investigation)
for Heredity Cataract and Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia. All Fields tested
will be issued with a Clear Result but with annotations of any eye disease.
This also means that the results do not get published in the BRS. The
FSS Health Committee keeps a register of all dogs who have been eye
tested and the results. Any members who have had their dog’s eyes
done can send a copy of the form to the FSS Health Committee to have
it included in the register.
The BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme recommends that eyes are tested annually,
but as there isn’t currently a Schedule A disease many test every
18 months – 2 years.
The Field Spaniel Society Health Committee holds Bi-Annual Eye Testing
at our Testing Day in February. This is done by Professor Peter G C
Bedford BVetMed, PhD, DVOphthal, DipECVO, FRCVS, Chair of Veterinary
Ophthalmology at the Royal Veterinary College, London,
The two eye conditions that are under investigation in Field Spaniel
are
Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia
The normal retina lines the back of the eye. The retinal cells receive
light stimuli from the external environment and transmit the information
to the brain where it is interpreted to become vision. In retinal dysplasia,
there is abnormal development of the retina, present at birth. The disorder
can be inherited, or it can be acquired as a result of a viral infection
or some other event before the pups were born.
Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia is the folding of 1 or more area(s) of
the retina. This is the mildest form of Retinal Dysplasia, and the significance
to the dog's vision is unknown.
Heredity Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens. The crystalline lens
is a clear tissue located behind the pupil - the dark circular opening
in the middle of the iris seen as the coloured part of the eye. The
lens works with the transparent cornea by covering the eye's surface
allowing light to focus on the retina at the back of the eye. When the
lens becomes cloudy light cannot pass to the retina properly and vision
is blurred and decreased.
Hereditary Cataracts are almost invariably bi-lateral, meaning that
both eyes are normally affected. The good news though is that although
there would be a restricted vision, the dog would almost never go blind.
The cataract may develop rapidly over weeks, or slowly over years, in
one or both eyes. Like humans, dogs also develop cataracts with age
(often after 8 years of life).
Thyroid Testing
As with many breeds there have been incidences of Field Spaniels suffering
from hypothyroidism. The FSS Health Committee are monitoring this problem
in Field Spaniels by arranging the facility to routinely test your Field
Spaniel for this problem as some dogs can be hypothyroid, but not show
symptoms.
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland -- two small butterfly-shaped
lobes located in the neck. This gland has a number of functions, but
is most well known for regulating your dog’s metabolic rate. In
hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is under-active, and unable to secrete
enough thyroid hormone. This, in turn, decreases your dog’s metabolism.
How does a dog get hypothyroidism?
Most cases of hypothyroidism stem from the dog’s own immune system
attacking the tissues of the thyroid gland. This condition is called
autoimmune thyroiditis. The dog’s own system attempts to compensate
for this at first by secreting more and more of the thyroid hormone,
but eventually the gland is unable to keep up with the attacks on its
tissue, and the dog becomes hypothyroid and symptomatic. While there
is a genetic predisposition for thyroid disorders, environmental factors
such as pollutants and allergies probably play a role as well.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Below are some of the symptoms of Hypothyroidism. Dogs do not have to
have all of them to be hypothyroid. In some cases they may only have
one or two of the symptoms.
· Lethargic behaviour such as a lack of interest
in play, frequent napping, tiring out on long walks
· Weight gain, sometimes without an apparent
gain in appetite
· Bacterial infections of the skin
· Dry skin
· Hair loss, especially on the trunk or tail
(“rat’s tail”)
· Discoloration or thickening of the skin where
hair loss has occurred
· Cold intolerance/seeking out warm places to
lie down
· Slow heart rate
· Chronic ear infections
· Severe behavioural changes such as unprovoked
aggression, head tilt, seizures, anxiety and/or compulsivity. As
we are investigating Late Onset Seizures in the breed, it might be useful
to eliminate thyroid as a cause of this.
· Depression
Are there certain breeds that are more susceptible to hypothyroidism?
Most dogs who are affected by hypothyroidism fall into the mid to large
size category. Many breeds are affected by this disease, including (but
not limited to):
· Golden Retrievers
· Doberman Pinschers
· Greyhounds
· Irish Setters
· Dachshunds
· Cocker Spaniels
· Airedale Terriers
Hypothyroidism is rare in toy and miniature breeds of dogs.
Is age or gender a factor?
Most dogs contract hypothyroidism between the ages of 4 to 10. It appears
to affect males and females equally, however spayed females are at a
higher risk than unspayed females.
How is hypothyroidism diagnosed?
All diagnosis begins with an examination and taking of a history. Your
veterinarian will be looking for clinical signs of hypothyroidism during
a thorough physical examination of the dog, and will ask questions about
your dog’s health and behaviour. If hypothyroidism is suspected,
a blood test will be ordered. There are a number of different methods
for testing the thyroid. They involve some complicated terminology,
but it is important to understand the efficacy of these tests when discussing
diagnosis with your veterinarian: The FSS Health Committee have organised
a series of three Thyroid Tests with the AHT and Cambridge Specialist
Labs. These tests combined are offered at a discounted rate of £65.00
plus VAT. The three tests are as follows
Free T4 by dialysis (FT4D) - This is the most
common test. This procedure is considered to be the "gold standard"
for assessment of thyroid's production and cellular availability of
thyroxine. FT4D concentration is expected to be decreased in dogs with
thyroid dysfunction due to autoimmune thyroiditis.
Canine Thyroid Simulating Hormone (cTSH) - This
procedure helps determine the site of the lesion in cases of hypothyroidism.
In autoimmune thyroiditis the lesion is at the level of the thyroid
gland and the pituitary gland functions normally. The cTSH concentration
is expected to be abnormally elevated in dogs with thyroid atrophy from
autoimmune thyroiditis.
Thyroglobulin Auto Antibodies (TgAA) - This
procedure is an indication for the presence of the autoimmune process
in the dog's thyroid.
One of the useful things this will do is to give an average Free T4
by dialysis (FT4D) level for the breed. We have forms online on the
FSS Health Committee Website http://www.fieldspanielsociety.co.uk/health/index.htm
for you to download and take to your vet, who will need to send a 5ml
clotted blood sample for the thyroid tests with the form. It is also
an ideal time to consider taking blood for the DNA archive at the same
time. The AHT have arranged that if you send both samples and forms
to the Cambridge Specialist Labs they will forward the genetic sample
on to the AHT. The DNA Archive can also be found on the Health Committee
Website.
How is hypothyroidism treated?
Hypothyroidism is treated with a daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormone
called thyroxine (levothyroxine). Blood samples will need to be drawn
periodically to assess the effectiveness of the dosage and make any
adjustments necessary.
What should I expect from the treatment?
Most symptoms should clear up after treatment. With regularly scheduled
check-ups to ensure correct dosage, your dog should be mostly symptom-free
for the rest of his or her life. Hypothyroid dogs that receive proper
treatment have a normal life span and are able to maintain good health
well into their golden years. In rare cases a dog that has been diagnosed
as Hypothyroid, may after a course of treatment, start to function normally
again and no longer require medication. This is one of the reasons to
have the check ups to ensure the medication dosage is correct.
Breed Specific DNA Archives
The actual process of DNA profiling only uses around 1% of the DNA
that is generated from each swab. The Kennel Club will store the remaining
99% of the DNA, free of charge. As the scheme grows and the number of
DNA profiled dogs in successive generations increases, this stored material
will generate a breed-specific DNA archive. The ideal scenario within
a breed is to ensure that all parents are DNA profiled. Obviously, this
will not be practical for all breeds, but the closer a breed can approach
this situation, the more valuable the archive will be for that breed.
So, why will these DNA archives be valuable?
Most breeds suffer from a number of inherited conditions and a major
step forward in addressing these conditions is to identify the gene(s)
that might be responsible. Identifying these usually involves analysing
DNA samples from affected and unaffected dogs. At the moment, the most
appropriate approach is to analyse DNA samples from families where one
or more of the members are clinically affected; the ideal family structure
being offspring, parents and grand parents. The availability of breed
DNA archives will remove the laborious, and often difficult, process
of assembling these family samples every time they are needed for research.
The DNA archives will therefore be an extremely important research tool
for breeds which might, in the future, want to undertake research into
breed-specific inherited conditions.
The Field Spaniel Society set up their DNA Archive with the AHT in
2002 and originally stored Blood with them. This is still possible to
do, but they have also brought in the much easier Cheek Swab version
of collecting and storing DNA. The more dogs that we have stored, the
easier it will be to identify problems in the future.
DNA PROFILING
Facts about DNA Profiling
· A DNA profile is an indisputable form of
identification for life.
· A DNA profile can be used to verify parentage.
· A DNA profile does not give any information
on any disease status of a dog.
Taking a mouth cell sample for a DNA profile is simple for you and painless
for the dog. It should take about 5 minutes.
· If you use the KC DNA Profiling Scheme, the
cost is £15 per dog and you will receive a Certificate of DNA
Profiling once the process is complete.
· The remainder of the sample that you provide
can be stored, free of charge, as part of a breed DNA archive. The DNA
could be used, completely anonymously, to help develop DNA tests for
diseases in your breed in the future.
What is a DNA Profile?
A DNA profile is a unique DNA signature that is present in each and
every one of our dogs’ DNA. It serves to uniquely identify each
dog, but more than that it can serve to verify a dog’s parentage.
This is because half of a dog’s DNA profile is inherited from
its dam and half from its sire. So, a comparison of a dog’s DNA
profile with that of its Sire’s and Dam’s DNA profile will
confirm that they are indeed its biological parents; if either has been
incorrectly registered as a parent this comparison will certainly reveal
the anomaly.
These days DNA profiling is very straightforward and involves taking
a small amount of DNA from a dog that can be processed by a specialist
laboratory to reveal the embedded DNA signature, its "DNA profile".
All that is needed to get this DNA is a small amount of tissue from
a dog. Increasingly, this is achieved by gently removing cells from
the inside of a dog’s cheek using a small brush. This will remove
enough cells to provide sufficient DNA for DNA profiling, is non-invasive
and causes no problem to the dog, other than a slight tickling sensation.
Blood samples can also be taken and the white cells therein used to
make DNA. Obviously if blood samples are to be taken, this will require
a person qualified to take such samples.
The Kennel Club and DNA Profiling
The Kennel Club started a DNA Profiling Scheme some years ago in collaboration
with the Southern Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club and this has been
made available to other breeds in the intervening years. During this
time there has been steady progress in improving the technological aspects
of profiling. Perhaps the most significant advance in this area has
been the recent adoption of an international standard procedure for
DNA profiling in the dog. This has been overseen by the International
Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG), the same organisation that produced
similar international schemes for DNA profiling in the Horse, Cattle,
Sheep and Pigs. This standard procedure means that we will be able to
recognise and accept DNA profiles of dogs that have been profiled in
other countries, provided they have used this standard procedure. This
has been the impetus for us to create a new DNA profiling system here
at the Kennel Club. The main improvement is the creation of a new fulfilment
centre that now coordinates the profiling process and accurately tracks
each sample as it goes through the process. The whole process from start
to finish will become more streamlined and take no more than a couple
of weeks.
So how does this new system work?
Owners wishing to have their dog DNA profiled should first approach
the Kennel Club for a DNA Profiling Request Form, which requires details
of the dog to be profiled and the owner’s contact details. The
form also contains details of costs and a facility to pay by credit
card or cheque. The cost of DNA profiling is £15.00 per sample.
Upon receipt of the completed form(s) and the appropriate payment the
information is then passed to the fulfilment centre, which will send
out the profiling kit and instructions directly to the owner. Once the
samples have been taken, the owner returns the sampling brushes directly
to the fulfilment centre in a reply envelope. The fulfilment centre
then sends the sample directly to the testing laboratory where the DNA
profiling is undertaken. Once the profiling has been successfully completed,
the fulfilment centre notifies the Kennel Club directly and a DNA Profile
certificate is issued to the owner of the dog. This new system aims
to turn around profiling requests within three weeks of the receipt
of the DNA Profiling Request Form at the Kennel Club.
