Writing about Health, genetics, diseases and Clearences - Page 1

Hey everyone - I am doing a paper for my newsletter and was wondering if I could pull on your knowledge base.  I am basically going over health certifications and DNA tests that affect Shepherds...and how to understand the results...plus some examples of the results.

The tests I am looking at going over are :

OFA Hips, Elbows,  Thyroid, Cardiac, BAER,
Pennhip
CERF
DM Flash
Cauda Equina / Spinal Stenosis
Patellar Luxation
MegaE
EPI
MDR1

The ones that are underlined are really the ones I need help with...I dont really know where to start in terms of researching what tests they do to diagnose these or where to go for the tests...not to mention how to make sense of them.

Anywho...any help with these would be much appreciated...I can take responses anywhere...here...PM or via email (FalconaraK9@hotmail.com).  Thanks in Advance!

~Cate

Wow, this will be a HUGE undertaking.

Here's a couple links for EPI to start...

http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/GI%20disorders/exocrine%20pancreatic%20insufficiency.htm

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/23404.htm

Great resource for Mega-E....http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/megaesophagus/

Mary

Is this a research paper for the German Shepherd or is it for the newletter you are writing to gain UKC for the white shepherd club? And will those that write their experience for you and their work be each given credit in a UKC publication or will you write it as your own?

Why Newbie - so good to see you pop your head in here.

1.I have never made a secret of the fact that my dogs are not German Shepherds, so why would my newsletter be for the GSD?

2.You've read some of the research I have done and posted, and as you well know I always post my sources when I am doing a paper or like research, unlike others I know.  Additionally - it's not only morally wrong, but it's illegal to take other peoples work and claim it for your own.

3.The White Shepherd is it's own seperate breed in Europe, however it is not so different from the GSD that they do not share the similiar health issues - and while there are members of my community that are effected by them, there are alot more in the GSD community.  It's one of the reasons I do so love spending time in GSD communies...because they're very large, very diverse, and there is alot to be learned from them.

4.This would not be the first publication I have made that draws on information from the GSD community in the two issues I've been editor for, nor will it be the last.  Additionally...anyone who wants to read it is welcome too...not all the articles in my newsletter are breed specific...mainly because there is much to be learned from all breeds...I have articles that were originally published elsewhere (and I was given permission to publish) and articles that were written for my newsletter that went on to be used for other things.

So - I hope I have explained myself to your liking, though I know you already knew the answers to these questions.  Now, was there a point to your post?  Something constructive perhaps?

And since I havent said it yet - thank you Daryl and gagds - this is probably going to take me a while...and is probably not something that will be published until my next health/genetics issue, but I'll either post the article up here...or the link to the newsletter :)

~Cate

I just wanted people to know why the info is being wanted for number 1 and number 2 you talk so badly about gsd people and their purebred showlines and yet here you are asking them to do research for you..... kind of stuck in my stomach like bad seafood.

  oh and fyi I have been a member of this site since before I bought my first gsd years ago. Just because I choose not to say much does not mean I am not reading.

I did not ask anyone to do research for me my dear...I asked for experiences and help in locations of places so I could look for the research and make it as thorough and correct as possible.

I have also mentioned that I have revised my previously harsh views about certain lines of the GSD - however - even as misplaced as it was, my disgust was never with the GSD, rather with lines...but again, as I said...I've changed that over the last few months...and I know you know that as well.  Though - in reality...I dont know that I have ever hidden my views on this forum...so those that read will probably already know what I think.

Again - I am asking for help in writing an article to inform the guys in my breed club what to look for, how to interpret, how to live with, and how to diagnose some of these health issues.  Are you saying that I shouldnt ask for help from other breeders who have more experience than I?  That a owner / breeder of one breed can't help an owner breeder of another?

Again - do you have anything pertinent and  constructive to share?

~Cate

My Dear - if you had been reading then you would have seen the beginning of my change of heart, starting with a post in Toplines in January.  I dont believe I have said anything harsh about them since...I might be wrong...but again - the combination of friends who had highline and a helper who had worked a couple that he liked did help to change my views...spending more than a year being involved with dogs helped as well...I am new...and I have been known to make initial judgments to harshly...but that's what learning is for.

I will admit to a preference towards a workingline...but I think many on this board will lean one way or another.

Again - I am trying to gain knowledge here because I want to help other members of my own breed...which I can do via the Newsletter.  I want to help people learn, including myself, but in order to do that I need help from breeders and owners who have the experiences and are willing to share.

~Cate