F. Health Tests / Certifications every Mastiff SHOULD have
Description
This article is from the Mastiffs Breed FAQ, by mmcbee@access.mountain.net (Mike McBee) with numerous contributions by others.
F. Health Tests / Certifications every Mastiff SHOULD have
Mastiffs, like all breeds, have problems that are genetic - i.e.,
passed from the parents to the offspring through their genes.
These problems range in severity from minor to major and/or life
threatening.
In order to do something about these problems, breeders must first
be aware that the problems exist, then they must learn as much as
they can about the problems, including how they are inherited. A
number of excellent tools are available to help accomplish the
task of reducing genetic disease in our dogs - health testing with
registered or certified results published by various
organizations.
Standardized tests are the only objective and practical way to be
sure of the health status of any dog. Keep in mind that dogs are
not always as they appear; for example, they can be dysplastic
without exhibiting any clinical symptoms. Dogs can also "carry"
the genes of their relatives, not just the genes that they express
themselves. Thus, the more relatives of a dog that are tested, the
easier it is to evaluate the chances that that dog "carries" the
gene(s) for a particular trait. For example, if a dog's
full-sibling has PRA and it and its sire and dam do not, then the
dog has a 66% chance of carrying the gene for PRA.
Testing ALL dogs for genetic disease provides the means for
reducing the risk of, and eventually eliminating, most genetic
diseases. For Mastiffs, testing should be performed for hip
dysplasia (x-ray), elbow dysplasia (x-ray), patellar luxation
(examination), eye disease (examination), thyroid disease (blood
draw), heart disease (examination) and von Willebrands Disease
(vWD) (blood draw).
While Mastiff breeders, no matter how much they test, cannot
guarantee that their puppies will not experience these problems,
their use of genetic testing and the breeding of only tested clear
dogs will reduce that risk. Breeders that test all of their dogs
and require that all puppy buyers do likewise are making a sincere
effort to reduce the incidence of genetic disease.
The WWW site 'Mastiff Stud Dog Register and Articles' at
http://www.dclink.com/mastiff/index.htm contains a considerable
body of information regarding Mastiffs and these tests.
Additional genetic disease and testing information:
+ Eliminating Genetic Diseases in Dogs: A Buyer's Perspective
FAQ - http://www.zmall.com/pet_talk/dog-faqs/medical-info/
+ The Dog Genome Project - http://mendel.berkeley.edu/dog.html
TESTING / REGISTRATION / CERTIFICATION FACILITIES AND LABS
+ MCOA GDCS (Genetic Data Collection Service)
Constance Parker
GDCS Coordinator
PO Box 531533Grand Prairie, TX 75053-1533
phone: (972) 660-5113fax: (972)660-5201
email: parker@why.net
The MCOA offers this service to individuals and breeders who
are interested in researching the genetic background of their
dogs. Inclusion on the list for the various genetic tests is
free to all Mastiff owners regardless of their membership
status with MCOA. Updates are published quarterly in the MCOA
Journal and a complete listing (1972 to the present) is
available for a fee ($15 with OFA list, $10 without OFA list)
Send request and check (payable to MCOA) to the above to
order.
The MCOA GDCS currently includes OFA Preliminary Hips, OFA
Preliminary Elbows, OFA Hips, OFA Elbows, von Willebrands
Disease, Thyroid and CERF. Passing OFA Hips, OFA Elbows, OFA
Patellar and CERF registration are automatically included for
all Mastiffs, contact the above for specific requirements for
listing other results.
+ MCOA PRA Project (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
o West Coast Coordinator
Karen Flocker
3228 Mehrhoff Place
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
phone: (520) 779-0473fax: (520) 779-2169
email: jif2@dana.ucc.nau.edu
o East Coast Coordinator
Debora Jones
De Vine Farm
5951 Huntingtown RdHuntingtown, MD 20639
phone: (301) 855-6711
email: djones@ids2.idsonline.com
o www:
PRA Research -
http://mendel.berkeley.edu/dogs/diseases/pra/
pramenu.html
James A. Baker Institute For Animal Health -
http://mendel.berkeley.edu/dogs/diseases/bake
r/baker-intro.html
The MCOA is backing a project by the James A. Baker Institute
For Animal Health at Cornell University to develop a DNA test
for PRA in Mastiffs. PRA is a recessive, genetic,
degenerative eye disease that leads to blindness. PRA
typically cannot be detected in Mastiffs until the dog is 1
year old, and sometimes not until the dog is over 3 years.
The DNA test is needed to detect carriers and those afflicted
prior to breeding, so that breeders can guarantee that their
pups will not have PRA and PRA can be eliminated from the
gene pool. At present the penetration of PRA into the Mastiff
gene pool is unknown due to the lack of adequate testing
tools and insufficient awareness of the need for, and use of,
those tools that are available. The MCOA is administering a
fund and soliciting donations to aid in the development of
this test. Contact the above for more details.
+ OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc.)
2300 E. Nifong Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65201-3856
phone: (314) 442-0418
fax: (314) 875-5073
www: http://www.offa.org/
Reviews x-rays for hip and elbow dysplasia (will consult on
other orthopedic conditions via x-ray), certifies patellas,
hearts and thyroid. Publishes passing results. Dogs must be
at least 24 months for hip and elbow certification and 12
months for patella, thyroid and heart certification.
Preliminary x-rays of hips and elbows can be performed on an
evaluation basis as early as six months. Fees are required
for submission of x-rays for certification/evaluation and
patella/thyroid/heart for certification in addition to vet
fees for performing of x-rays and various examinations.
OFA requires that the examination for heart certification be
performed by a board certified cardiologist, a vet who is
board certified in another specialty or a vet with experience
in diagnosing heart murmurs. If at all possible try to find a
cardiologist.
OFA has specific requirements for certification of thyroid
testing and specific labs that have qualified to perform
these specific test requirements. Thyroid certification
through OFA is a preferred option, although not necessary,
since a full thyroid panel will provide the necessary genetic
data.
+ CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation)
1248 Lynn Hall
Purdue University
W. Lafayette, IN 47907
phone: (317) 494-8179
www: http://www.prodogs.com/chn/cerf/index.htm
Certifies eyes based on examination by an ACVO (American
College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist) diplomat (member).
Publishes passing results. Dogs can be examined/certified at
any age (recommend as early as possible - 8 weeks) and CERF
recommends re-examination annually. Submission fee required
in addition to vet fee for examination.
+ GDC (Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals)
P. O. Box 222
Davis, CA 95617
phone: (916) 756-6773
fax: (916) 756-6773
www: http://mendel.berkeley.edu/dogs/gdc.html
Reviews x-rays for hip and elbow dysplasia (will also review
x-rays for dysplasia of shoulders and hocks as well as
osteochondrosis and arthrosis for all sites). Certifies eyes
based on examination by ACVO diplomat. Certification at 12
months of age for hips, elbows, shoulders and hocks.
Certification of eyes same as for CERF. Reports are available
for a fee for use by breeders, owners, prospective owners,
breed clubs and researchers under certain rules. Reports
include KinReport(TM) - Progeny & Sibling/half-sibling
printout from the registries on subject dog; and Phenotype
report on subject dog. ALL (bold, italics) results (passing
and failing) are listed -- THIS IS AN OPEN REGISTRY. Fee for
x-ray evaluation/certification and eye certification in
addition to vet fees for performing x-rays or examinations.
+ MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory
P. O. Box 30076
Lansing, MI 48909
phone: (517) 353-1683
www:
http://www.ahdl.msu.edu/
http://www.ahdl.msu.edu/ahdl/endo.htm
(thyroid)
One of major labs performing full panel for thyroid function
(T3, T4, TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4). Recommend doing a baseline
thyroid at 12-18 months and retest annually (see NOTE below).
+ ANTEC (formerly PAL - Professional Animal Laboratory)
17672-A Cowan Ave.
Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92714
fax: (714) 752-4935
phone:
(800) 542-1151 (CA)
(800) 745-4725 (outside CA)
One of major labs performing full panel thyroid function test
and von Willebrand test. Same as above on thyroid timing. Von
Willebrand is a one time test which can be performed at any
age (see NOTE below).
+ CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Diagnostic Laboratory
College of Veterinary Medicine
P. O. Box 5786,
Ithaca, NY 14852-5786
phone: (607) 253-3900
www: http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/dl/
One of major labs performing full panel thyroid function test
and von Willebrand test. Same as above on thyroid and von
Willebrand timing (see NOTE below).
NOTE: When having blood drawn for thyroid and/or von Willebrand
testing, be sure that your dog is healthy, has not been vaccinated
within the past two-four weeks, is not on any medication, is not
in season (within 6-12 weeks) and has not been flea dipped or
stressed such as from breeding. A number of things, such as those
mentioned above, can affect the test outcome and the need for
retesting is not unusual.
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