Genetic and other Health Testing - Page 1

The thread about the MDR1 test got me to thinking.  I know there are many different health and genetic tests being made available on a daily basis.  Also, it seems like certain areas of the world are more affected by certain diseases.  I'd like to know what people think about the tests that are available and also include where you are writing from.

For example, I've seen posts about the Juvenile Renal Failure, but those threads seem to come from the UK and I think in the US I've really heard nothing about that being a problem.

Or VonWillebrands, I've seen people list that on their "must haves" for health testing, but the company that offers the testing doesn't list GSDs as a problem breed.

http://www.vetgen.com/ordertests.aspx?id=German%20Shepherd%20Dog
VetGen does renal testing for GSD's.

http://www.dogenes.com/
DOGenes tests for JRD


JRD is starting to become a big problem in the US. One of my club members lost a pup to it. There is a kennel in the US who has had several pups die from this.

I've seen a Golden Retriever with JRD.  Wasn't sure if it was a problem in GSDs in the US as most of the posts I see about it on the site are from the UK.

Hello GranvilleGSD!
   
    Nice post, I was wondering the same, but have figured out that the genetic diseases plaguing the UK and the US are the same plus or minus a few.

It's not all about genetics>>> BUT

 
I could run down a list of what to look for in a GSD concerning genetic disorders, but when I think about it, I can only vouch for my dogs and the combo of bloodlines I use, I do as much as I can to test for genetic disorders, and I ask questions to other breeders and meet relatives of my dogs, I breed dogs based on what I see with my own eyes concerning, size, pigment, temperament, health, train ability, personality, hardness, softness, quirky weird behaviors, stuff I love to see & want more of.

I strongly believe that genetic disorders can be developed within certain bloodlines, if people are breeding for  say drive, or color, or just to have a certain famous relative in their pedigree,  they're in for a rude awakening.


I am now  testing hips, elbows, eyes, thyroid, heart, and for degenerative myelopathy, and also do  temperament tests on all my adult dogs.
I have been breeding dogs since the late "70's" and have not seen a dog of mine develop bloat, I have always wondered if that's a genetic trait. 
   I like to see a GSD with an average chest on them, I don't like to see a deep chest on a GSD, I think it contributes to bloat (JMO)....I think bloat is a very serious defect in the breed, and if people didn't breed to the extreme than maybe our dogs wouldn't be dying from bloat.

There's something in the physical makeup in the breed that causes bloat, I think it should be addressed, deep chests on a showdog are just as obvious as a pushed in face on a pug, they are going to have problems, be it breathing or eating, and just the same with Bull dogs, big heads = C- sections.



  Paula Silva

Salisbury, Massachusetts, 


          www.vonryansgermanshepherds.com

I'd have to agree that I believe physical makeup probably has something to do with bloat, and of course physical makeup is genetic so therefore it would run in families.  I have been working as a veterinary technician for over 10 years and I've seen a few cases of bloat in GSDs and they all were showline dogs.  It appears to me that showline dogs, especially the American showline dogs have a much deeper chest than do the workingline dogs.  Of course I'm sure there are workingline dogs that have had bloat problems too, but this is an observation that I've had.

Certainly the results of genetic tests are only a small part of the big picture when breeding dogs, but I think that since these tests are being made available, more breeders should be using them and being honest about the results both with themselves and with other breeders.  This is the only way we will begin to see improvement in the overall health of the breed.

I also test my dogs for hips, elbows, thyroid, cardiac, dm, and cerf.  Trying to get temperment tests done for everybody too, got it done with my male, but they don't run very many of them and I always seem to miss them due to work or being out of town.

thyroid was/is an issue in Am. s/l. Not sure how dependable a test is as they can be tested/certified after being on medication. Just have to trust the breeder. A breeder who trys to get past normal thyroid is foolish and I tried it.

I'm going to do DM and thyroid on my bitch as I am considering breeding her. really don't feel the need to test heart past vet. level, nor eyes.

For me, one of the most important "test" is to see the dog's stool. That probably sounds strange and is not scientific, but I have found poor stools to be to be related to other issues, especially allergies.

I have found bloat to be related more to certain bloodlines, as is pano. But is just my experience again.

Rik

Hahaha Rik, you are so right about the dog's stool!  Poor stool is related to a lot of issues like you said, including allergies, EPI, and other GI issues.  Of course there's always parasites and while that's not really a genetic trait, they sure can be a pain in the rear to get rid of!  Worked with some imported Golden Retrievers that had roundworms and coccidia that were nearly impossible to get rid of.

OFA cardiac clearance by echo with color doppler is good. My early dogs were Goldens and Labradors which are 2 breeds with cardiac problems...and GSDs have a number of cardiac issues, such as severe murmurs and SAS There are lots of cardiac clinics held in conjunction with AKC cluster shows so you can usually get an echo done for a reduced price.

Kudo's to all of  you doing health testing.  You can tell by the response to this post that most breeders are probably not doing available testing.  Believe me if it is available it is the most responsible way to breed dogs.

I just lost my beloved service dog to DM also blind with pannus just before his 8th birthday;  had I known of course I would have not gotten him in the first place.  I also had 7 l/2 years of training in him and probably $20,000 in him;  he absolutely cannot be replaced.  And believe me the financial part is not the pertinent reason for me posting this;  the dog was literally my right hand, my protector, my working partner.  Yes I am still devastated after 8 months. 

Please to all who may read this post;  do the testing as a process of elimination  if nothing else.  Nan