DNA for bloat/torsion in the GSD - Page 1

Dr. Mathew Pletcher of the Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FA has agreed to search for a DNA marker for bloat/torsion in the GSD. If you are interested in participating in this study and if you have had a GSD that has survived bloat/torsion or has a relative living, or dead that had bloat/torsion, contact Dr. Pletcher or his assistant, Laura Schultz. They will need the following information: - a 5 generation pedigree - a 5 cc unclotted blood sample, EDTA tube - medical histories There is no charge to participate in this study and all information is confidential. They also need the dog's name, AKC#, breed, sex and any diagnostic work ups done previously. This is rather sketchy information, but all I have at the time. If I find more later, I'll post it if any are interested in participating. This has been on some other lists, so you might know more you can add to this. The mailing address is: DR. Mathew Pletcher The Scripps Resarch Institute - Florida Building RF-1, Room 110 5353 Parkside Dr. Jupiter, FL 33458 This sounds like a rare opportunity to participate in something that could really count for the future of the breed.

No one interested?

I think this is a truely wonderful idea! Fortunately (for me) I don't have a dog I can add to the research... but would love it if one day we can test our dogs for bloat. I know some people say it is not genetic and it is just because the dogs have large chests... so that would be interesting to find out as well.

I really hope that owners of imports will also participate in this study. Otherwise all the results will be based only on the gene pool of the American lines. It's in the best interests of all who own and breed GSD's to learn if there is or is not a gene marker for this often fatal condition. Until now all we have is speculation - why not try to find out the real reason some GSD's bloat and other do not.

I think this is a very important study and would like to "bump" this message up.

Blitzen, I'm interested in doing this test with Zambi.. Do you know how much this would cost or is it for free?

By the way I do not have a 5 generation certificated pedigree.. I have a 3rd generation pedigree by AKC.. Can I still have Zambi participate in this research? When you mean Medical histories and diagnostic work?... you don't mean if the dog has had any bloats and was in treatment in the past? Regular medical histories/diagnostic work would be a nightmare for me to find LOL. If theses people don't mind spending hours on the phone by my vet.. heck I don't mind :)

Brittany, there is no charge to participate. Right now Plethcher is only interested in blood samples from GSD's that have either survived bloat/torsion or GSD's that have a relative, living or dead, that either died from or survived bloat/torsion. In the future he hopes that information will help him find the gene marker/s for this condition and those could be used to idenitify carriers and/or GSD that are prone to bloat. I don't think he needs a certified pedigree, but does need a 5 generation one. You should be able to construct one using this board. He needs complete medical reports and test results on anything done on the dog, not necessarily bloat.

My males Sire died of bloat at the age of 8y2m I found his name on the GCD breed betterment Reg. and e-mailed his new owner and 4 months after she bought him from Manny's breeder he died of bloat. I can take him to work and get some blood from him and send it. Boccy Vom Ritterberg was his Sire and he is also DNA tested. Man o war Vom Rabenholz is my dog and he will be 5 years old next month he has had his Anal Glands taken out but nothing else has ever been wrong with him. Let me know if he will help. Thank Robin

Robin, I believe that is exactly what Pletcher is looking for. I did find his email address, you might want to contact him for any additional information and to sure I have posted correct information. Pletcher@scripps.edu Pletcher is also interested in identifying the gene/s that influence behavior in herding dogs. If I understand it correctly, he is trying to determine how herding breeds retain their herding instincts even after generations of breeding from dogs that have never been used for herding. Pretty interesting stuff.