Lafora Testing of MWHDs - an update

Lafora Testing of MWHDs - an update

We will soon be into month 2 of our full Lafora DNA Screening Programme and wanted to update everyone on progress, plus remind owners of MWHDs how to participate.

The initial response to our call for owners of MWHDs to submit their dogs for screening has been very positive and the first batch of over 40 swab samples has been sent to Germany with a further 20 to go later this week. We are hopeful that the lab will have the results of these samples back to us by the middle of September. This will mean we have, for the first time, a better understanding of the prevalence of the Lafora mutation in UK MWHDs. The number of samples from this initial batch is still quite small compared with the overall MWHD population so we do need to encourage more owners to submit their dogs for testing.

Anyone who is planning to breed from their MWHD is strongly recommended to participate in this screening programme. There is no longer any excuse for mating untested dogs and risk producing puppies clinically affected with Lafora Disease.

Booking a test

Nora Price (laforatesting@mypostoffice.co.uk) is coordinating the screening and liaison with the laboratory, with help from Committee members of the WHDC. There will be opportunities to participate in screening sessions at various Breed Club events over the coming months. Contact Nora for full details of where and when you can attend a testing session.

We want to make this test widely available in the UK and to make it as easy as possible for MWHD owners to participate. For those people unable to attend one of the testing events, Nora can arrange for you to be sent a test kit. There are some strict requirements to be followed in these cases, to ensure we obtain the correct information on your MWHD and a good DNA sample:

- you must visit your vet to have the sample taken in a controlled manner

- your dog must be microchipped and the vet (or vet nurse) must scan your dog and record the chip number on the Test Form

- your vet (or vet nurse) must sign the Test Form and apply the practice's official Stamp

Test kits will not be posted to owners without prior payment of the full fee (£80 payable to "WHDC - Lafora").

If you have several MWHDs that you wish to test and have friends locally with MWHDs, why not host a "Lafora Testing Party"? Contact Nora Price (laforatesting@mypostoffice.co.uk) to set up a testing session with the help of a WHDC representative.

As we have to submit samples to the laboratory in batches of 20, it may not always be possible to guarantee a turn-round of results in less than 4 weeks.

The cost of the test

Remember, this screening programme is being heavily subsidised by the UK Dachshund Breed Clubs and the KC Charitable Trust and the price of £80 per test is only available for a limited time.

Non-UK MWHD owners can book a test for £120 plus p&p.

The Breed Council has published a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which you can download here. This also shows pictorially which combinations of “Clear”, “Carrier” and “Affected” dogs may, or must not, be mated together.

If your dog is tested and found to be “Affected”, it is possible to be breeding nothing but “Clear” dogs in three generations. If your dog is a “Carrier”, it can be done in two generations. Download the explanation here.

Visit the Laforadogs Support Group.

Contact the Coordinator

Nora Price (Coordinator): laforatesting@mypostoffice.co.uk Tel: 01543 276797