Coming Soon: The EPI Database for the GSD - Page 1

The Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) Database for the German Shepherd Dog is currently under construction. This Database will benefit the GSD as a breed and be worthwhile to breeder's and potential buyers of GSD's. This can happen +ONLY+ if owner's/breeder's start to talk about their EPI+/EPI-Carrier GSD's and breeder's stop trying to cover up this horrific disease in their EPI-Carrier dog's bloodline and pedigree. Finally when breeder and owner begin to register these EPI+ and/or EPI-Carrier dogs into the GSD EPI Database can it be of use for the betterment of our beloved German Shepherd Dog. Once the EPI GSD Database is ready it will be available for public use online. The database will show the following information: EPI+ dog's name and registration no. EPI+ dog's dam and sire's name and registration no. EPI+ dog's grand dam and sire names. EPI+ dog's 5-generation linebreeding, if applicable. EPI-Carrier dog's name and registration no. EPI-Carrier dog's dam and sire's name and registration no. EPI-Carrier dog's grand dam and sire names. EPI-Carrier dog's 5-generation linebreeding, if applicable. The database is allot of work, but well worth it if you help to build it by registering dog's known to be EPI+ or are known carrier's of this horrific disorder/disease! Only you can help! I will work with you to obtain the necessary information so that we can make the EPI GSD Database worthwhile to future and betterment of our beloved German Shepherd Dog! Please send the EPI+/EPI-Carrier, at minimum, an official 3-generation pedigree showing full names and registration numbers. Confirmation or proof, from a veterinarian, for an EPI+ dog is required for registration into the Database. This information can be sent a few ways: 1) Via facimile 2) Scanned and attached in an email 3) Regular mail Please help to make this Database worthwhile for the German Shepherd Dog by sending your information today! Please feel free to email with any question's you may have. Thank You! Sincerely, Margaret Bradley E-mail: margaretmbradley@sbcglobal.net Fax: (815)462-0317 Phone: (815)545-1028 For address information please contact me.

Once the EPI GSD Database is ready it will be available for public use online. The database will show the following information: EPI+ dog's name and registration no. EPI+ dog's dam and sire's name and registration no. EPI+ dog's grand dam and sire names. EPI+ dog's 5-generation linebreeding, if applicable. EPI-Carrier dog's name and registration no. EPI-Carrier dog's dam and sire's name and registration no. EPI-Carrier dog's grand dam and sire names. EPI-Carrier dog's 5-generation linebreeding, if applicable. ********************************************************************** As well intentioned as this is, I wonder what the response will be. In addition to the unknown(possibly HUGE) gene pool shrinkage for breeding(if everyone participates), I wonder how many breeders will participate. And how do you know how many dogs are not identifiable as carriers, until the "fault" presents itself? Don't shoot me, I am just "thinking" out loud here, I don't want to appear "negative". I have seen this post sitting here for 2 days with no response, I was just pondering these questions. Stephen

Why don't we humans research each other(for poor DNA carrier traits) before reproducing, with such discrimination for perfection, to try and alleviate the "undesirable". LOL

Stephen (SGBH) wrote: "As well intentioned as this is, I wonder what the response will be." I have recieved response privately from folks who own EPI+ dogs. Many of them were affraid to intially participate because of the possible very negative attitude of the breeder that sold them their beloved pup in the first place. Stephen (SGBH) wrote: "In addition to the unknown(possibly HUGE) gene pool shrinkage for breeding(if everyone participates), I wonder how many breeders will participate." Me too. As of yet NO breeders have participated only owner's of dogs with this deadly disease have participated to date. I hope that breeder's will get over their fear for the sake of the GSD. Stephen (SGBH) wrote: "And how do you know how many dogs are not identifiable as carriers, until the "fault" presents itself?" You don't as there is no genetic marker/test available, at this time, to determine whether a dog is an EPI-Carrier until they have produced EPI in their litters. Stephen (SGBH) wrote: "Don't shoot me, I am just "thinking" out loud here, I don't want to appear "negative". I have seen this post sitting here for 2 days with no response, I was just pondering these questions." I will not shoot, they are valid questions. In the end this effort may simply be a research project that ultimately show's that perhaps ALL GSD's are carriers of this horrendous, dibilitating, deadly disease. I most sincerely hope that is NOT the final conclusion drawn from this effort. To date there has been particpation from Germany, USA, and New Zealand. Those dogs have been from German Showline's and Workingline's to the American Show Shepherd. Not a good sign, imo. I would like to make a correction to my origonal post. The database will include the following: EPI+ dog's name EPI+ dog's 5-generation line breeding, if applicable or known EPI+ dog's dam and sire names EPI+ dog's dam and sire 5-generation line breeding, if applicable or known EPI-Carrier dog's name EPI-Carrier dog's 5-generation line breeding, if applicable or known EPI-Carrier dog's dam and sire names EPI-Carrier dog's 5-generation line breeding, if applicable or known Sincerely, Margaret Bradley

any update on this?

any update on this?

Well done, i think it is a great idea, but I too wonder how many Breeders will participate. At least though, if owners of affected animals participate, the pedigrees of these animals will at least be available for all to see. I for one would have no hesitation in adding any dog I had that was affected by this terrible disease.

I have a dog at the moment, who has had the TLI test done three times, and each time it has come back within the normal range. Each time though,  the result has been lower than the previous. He was originally treated for SIBO (treatment started 15months ago) with variable results. he was then referred to The Small Animal Hospital at Glasgow University, where he had numerous biopsies done, which confirmed Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It is only now under control with medication, which he wil probably be on for life. His last TLI taken at the Hospital was significantly lower than his previous and the Specialist Internal Medicine Vet doesn't rule out that he may go on to develope EPI.  If he does I will glady give his information.

I have every sympathy for the owners of dogs with EPI and mostly for the poor dogs. Having a dog with IBD and SIBO is bad enough but to have EPI also would be a nightmare. I do hope you get a good response, after all what is the point in having an animal with good hips etc if they have a truly awful disease like EPI

My guess is no one used it so it faded away like most all other efforts addressing GSD health issues. Don't ask, don't tell..................

 

by My Guy Kai on 10 August 2008 - 21:08:  "any update on this?"   Thanks for asking. I have recieved many submittals from owners of dogs with EPI. I have recieved comparatively few submittals from people that have bred litters which produced EPI+ pups. I do continue to recieve submittals and questions from people with EPI+ dogs and carrier dogs. To date I do not feel that it is appropriate to publish the information contained in the database as there are not enough dogs registered. In my opinion, at this time I will continue to build the database and at some point in the future when I feel the database is large enough I will publish the data on a website and will inform this messagboard when that is done.   So, PLEASE continue to submit your information to margaretmbradley@sbcglobal.net or fax it to 815.485.4330. Contact me privately for mailing information. Please do not hesitateto  email any questions you have and I will do my best to help and answer those questions. THANK YOU to all that have already participated in this effort! As many folks know first hand, EPI is one of the most, if no the most, horrific and tragic of diseases present in the GSD today. If we do our part perhaps we can, one day irraticate, this awful disease from our beloved GSD.   Further, Doctors Leigh Anne Clark and Kate Tsai of the Canine Genetics Laboratory at Texas A&M University (www.cvm.tamu.edu/cgr) are currently funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation to identify markers associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency/pancreatic acinar atrophy and degenerative myelopathy in the German Shepherd Dog. (continued...)