Post date: Sep 24, 2011 7:10:6 PM
The screening research for the NPHP4 Day Blindness PRA in Wirehaired Dachshunds has now been completed and reported by the Animal Health Trust. You can download their report at the link below.
Recommendations:
We have discussed these results with Dr. Cathryn Mellersh at the AHT in order to make recommendations to owners of SWHDs. The frequency of this mutation in the breed is very low, but it is known to be associated with dogs of Scandinavian breeding.
It is therefore recommended that anyone whose dogs have Scandinavian ancestors, or anyone planning such a mating, SHOULD make use of this NPHP4 DNA test. Any Carrier or Affected dogs should only be mated to Clear dogs.
On the basis of this research, there is no evidence that dogs of pure US or UK breeding carry this mutation. We also have no evidence from clinical eye tests that early-onset PRA is a problem in SWHDs, but it is a number of years since eye testing was carried out at WHDC shows.
An ophthalmologist from the AHT recently said: "clinical eye testing and genetic testing work so well together; you need both".
It is also worth reminding Mini Wire Dachshund owners that this mutation was found in 3% of the MWHDs screened by the AHT in 2010.