Post date: Dec 11, 2010 8:48:7 PM
The following notes were written by Lesley Patton in Dog World on 10th December 2010...
The WHDC has now received the results from the DNA swabs taken to test for Lafora's disease in Miniature W/h Dachshunds over the period end March to mid July. 96 samples were taken, of which 95 had sufficient DNA to test. Twelve dogs were identified as "Affected" and, of these, three were already known to have the disease. This incidence is higher than was expected, at around 12 per cent. All who submitted tests have been contacted and, in every case, if the result was "Not Affected", it has been explained that this does not mean the dog is "Clear" of Lafora's disease; it could still be a "Carrier". It is vitally important that all Miniature Wire breeders understand this.
At present there is no test available to distinguish between "Clear" and "Carrier" dogs - this was explained to everyone who brought their dogs to be tested and indeed it was the reason that some breeders decided not to have their dogs tested.
The researchers at the Canadian hospital who carried out the tests have requested five-generation pedigrees from every dog tested to help identify "Carrier" lines, to enable Miniature Wire breeders to breed away from this debilitating disease, and there has been an excellent response to this so far, with more than a third of the pedigrees submitted already.
The WHDC, the Miniature DC and the Breed Council will be discussing these results with the Kennel Club to decide on the appropriate action to take next and everyone will be informed.