chesapeake health issues
All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their companions. Just as with humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Diseases in dogs can occur because of trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Some potential health issues of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are listed below :
EIC (Exercised Induced Collapse):
CBR Health Survey
ACC Charitable Trust - Research for CBR Health Issues
DNA Gene test for DM (Degenerative Myelopathy):
Bloat (Gastric Torsion in Dogs)
Hyporthyroidism
Panosteitis
Hip Dysplasia
PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
Diagnostic Spotlight for Canine Eye Disorders
Health Information - CBR
Elbow Dysplasia
American Chesapeake Club (ACC) Health Info Pages:
Other Links of Interest:
Epilepsy
Genetic testing in dogs has become so active that the prediction is that within a decade there will be genetic tests for most of the genetic diseases in dogs. In the future, one can also expect to eventually see tests for behavioral traits.
With the great increase in research, comes the process of learning to understand canine genetics. Using the newly developed (and developing) genetic testing to improve breeding programs is the subject of discussions, debates and controversy in the canine community.
Education is important to understanding and making wise decisions. Although genetic testing is slowly becoming more and more available for specific genes, it is a science still in its infancy. It is also important that this information must be used carefully, to make proper decisions for breeding in order to maintain genetic diversity in the breed.
DM is believed to be a Polygenic Trait: Coming from more than one ("poly") gene pair. These traits are more complex than the typical dominant or recessive genetic trait. The current DM test has identified one gene ONLY, so this is ONLY a susceptibility test and not a definitive test. Also, we do not know what part, if any environmental factors may play. At this point in time confirmed cases of DM in the CBR is about 2%. Much more research as well as education is needed.
Inheritance of EIC: Every dog gets 2 copies of every gene - one from its mother and one from its father. The mutation in the gene that causes EIC is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, which means that all affected dogs (those showing signs of collapse) have 2 copies of the mutated gene. EIC is treatable in most cases by reducing exercise and/or medical treatment in more severe cases. There are many other potential causes of collapse with exercise, and these are not necessarily caused by genetics. At this time what the gene frequency is in the Cheapeake Breed is unknown.
DNA results must not replace other aspects in breeding programs or the use of common sense, but should be an aid to reach the common goal: That being functionally healthy dogs, with positive traits, a construction & a mentality typical to the breed.
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Sources:
Healthy Dog Breeding--The Value of Breeding Programmes
Astrid Indrebo, DVM, PhD
Scientific Director of the Norwegian Kennel Club, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science,
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Science - Oslo, Norway
Frequently Asked Questions, The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota
“How Does Genetic Testing Apply to a Breeding Program?”
Paula Henthorn,PhD, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Brief Introduction to Genetics (Part 2 of 3)
by Fred Lanting mrgsd@hiwaay.net
Breeding Strategies for Managing Genetic Traits
Jerold S Bell DVM, Clinical Associate Professor of Genetics
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
ACC / ACCCT Health Project:
Degenerative Myelopathy Test
Overview of Canine Genetic (DNA) testing:
Health Issues:
ChessieInfo - New Site with info on CBR Genetics, Health & pedigrees