Would you breed a dog with... - Page 1

1.) allergies?  would you if the dog's allergies subsided when the dog was older?

2.) Discoid Lupus?  



 

I can't answer your question but I would be careful with the word Lupus. There is a trend in the veterinary world to diagnose every canine allergy as Lupus, which gives them the opportunity to prescribe expensive medication to unknowing dog owners. These medications lower the dog's immune response, which have also beneficial effects on allergies, however the long term effect on the dog is far worse then traditional temporary allergy medication.

No, why would you want to?

Allergies and discoid lupus are different issues. 
Both involve the immune system but in different ways. 

Discoid Lupus is relatively benign and involves depigmentation of the bridge of the nose, lips and sometimes face.  The depigmented areas often crack and open and it can be managed quite well.  It involved the cutaneous layers of the skin and the dog is allergic to him/herself.   It is diagnosed clearly with a biopsy.

Lupus erythematosus involves other organs and is the dog being allergic to itself (much like humans).  It is not benign or easily treated. 

Allergies are also an immune issue in that they are an inappropriate immune response to allergens.  Usually a number of allergens, of which food may be one and inhalents others causing atopic response.  A dog who is food allergic is also usually allergic to other things environmental.  By changing the food you lower one response and the others can become subclinical. 

I did not say I would want to breed a dog with either issue.  I asked if others (more experienced than I) would. 

IMO there are a lot of dogs out there for sale.  Very few of them are worthy of breeding.  That is not the question. 

 No thanks you

YR

What about a dog allergic to, say, corn..... But does beautifully on raw food?

No and no.

No.

I would not breed a dog with known allergies and cannot imagine anyone with any kind of long term goals doing so. 

It is a gift that keeps on giving and can seriously affect the quality of life of both the dog and the owner not to mention finaces.


 

Rik, I honestly think some breeders use dogs with allergies because they have not done their homework to understand that it is not just a "skin problem". It sounds like you have had experience with allergies as have I so we both know that treating allergies is a long-term nightmare and many times those dogs end up with other autoimmune diseases like lupus, systemic and discoid, or a form of cancer.  Some GP  vets even tell owners it's OK to breed an allergic dog....it's not OK and a  veterinary dermatologist would never say that.

Personally I'd rather deal with PF's than allergies. So far 2 of 4 GSD's I have owned in the last 18 years had inhalation/food allergies. One died from leukemia and suffered most of his 7 1/2 years from autoimmune diseases such as chronic bacterial sinusitis.  This was a horrible disease to deal with;  the poor dog sneezed mucus and blood 24/7 and we had to carry rolls of paper towels with us everywhere we took him. A little reasearch turned up the fact that he was not the first dog from the same kennel with allergies as I was told her was nor the first to succomb to leukemia. My other allergic dog ended up with interdigital cysts and PF's which many researchers feel is a result of an sick immune system.

Dogs with allergies are immune cripples and they should NEVER be bred, breedings that produced allergic dogs should never be repeated, dogs that consistently produce progeny with allergies shold be withdrawn from breeding.