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The Clumber Spaniel Club has addressed health issues affecting the Clumber
Spaniel for the past twenty years. It held the first International Breed Seminar
in 1987 specifically for "Hereditary Defects in the Clumber Spaniel"
including a presentation by Dr Malcolm Willis on "Hip Dysplasia in Clumber
Spaniels". Dr Willis worked with the Club from 1985 - 1992 and produced
three reports on hip dysplasia reviewing data from all scored dogs. In 1991 the
Club set up a working party to examine the state of health within the breed and
the first health survey was conducted; this was repeated ten years late in 2001
to determine whether changed had occurred. Results from both survey were
published
In 2003 the Club appointed Health Co-ordinators and also met with the UK
Kennel Club to address health issues in the breed. This meeting led to a
proposal to amend the Breed Standard Eye Clause to include the words "Free
from entropion" this proposal was approved by members at the 2004 AGM and
came into effect the following October.
In 2004 the Clumber Spaniel Club hosted the 7th International Breed
Seminar. Health issues have always featured at these events and an inaugural
meeting of an International Health Committee followed this Seminar. Through this
Committee it is hoped that all data gathered on health matters can be shared on
an international basis for the benefit of the breed.
In 2005 the Club accepted an offer from Masterfoods, who are carrying out
research into clinical hip dysplasia, to work with the Clumber Spaniel. The Club
has also set up a "Blood Bank" with the Animal Health Trust; this will enable us
to gather blood samples for future research.
It is recommended that all Clumber Spaniels should be examined under the
KC/BVA schemes.
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 1
Deficiency (PDP1)
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 1 Deficiency
(PDP1) is a condition that affects Clumber Spaniels and Sussex Spaniels and was
first identified in Clumber Spaniels during the late 1970’s; however little
progress with the condition appears to have been made at that time. A full
investigation into the condition was launched when it reappeared in the United
States a few years ago, many Clumbers in the USA were screened and the report
found that 25% of those dogs were carriers of the condition.
It was felt that the UK
Clumber population should be tested to determine the extent of the condition
within the breed here; this was made possible when, in 2008, the Kennel Club’s
Charitable Trust awarded a grant of £4500 towards 100 free PDP1 tests. The
sample for the test is gathered by a simple mouth swab.
The following articles
have been written by Roe Froman from the USA who is a Clumber owner, practicing Vet and Chair of the
Clumber Health Foundation, and they are reproduced here with her kind consent. The
first gives a basic description of the condition and the second provides
information about breeding guidelines.
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 1 Deficiency
PDP1 is a genetic deficiency identified in Clumber
and Sussex spaniels. The lack of the enzyme leads to a failure of the PDH
complex, which is responsible for helping to rid the body of waste products from
metabolism. When this complex does not function properly, the dog suffers from
extreme exhaustion after very limited exercise. PDP1 deficiency can lead to an
early death in affected dogs.
Sometimes the problem is
not identified until the litter is starting to be lead trained, as pups often
seem to self-limit their activity around the home. Affected individuals will
start to stagger, then have extreme difficulty moving after exercise such as
going for a walk. Eventually, the dog can recover and walk again, but their
tolerance for exercise is very low.
PDP1 deficiency is caused
by a genetic misfire. It is a simple autosomal recessive, which means that a
dog must have two copies of the defective gene to be affected. Dogs with only
one copy are carriers, and while they can produce affected pups if accidentally
mated to another carrier, they are not themselves affected in any way. Carriers
can lead long and healthy lives, and can be safely bred from when mated to clear
dogs. Development of the PDP1 dna test allows thoughtful breeders to test their
breeding stock, and to safely use carriers in a careful and responsible breeding
program. This will benefit the breed worldwide.
Roe Froman, DVM
DNA Tests Results and You: How To Use PDP1 Test Results in Your Breeding Program
There is obviously still a lot of confusion about how
to successfully utilize PDP1 genetic testing results in a breeding program.
Hopefully this column will help to answer questions and clear misconceptions
about using DNA results to help guide successful breedings.
We are very fortunate to
now have a DNA test for PDP1 (Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 1), an
enzymatic deficiency which causes extreme exercise intolerance in Clumber
spaniels. In order for a dog to be affected by this condition, it *must* carry
two copies of the defective gene (one from each parent). This defect has been
characterized as a simple autosomal recessive gene. That means, a dog must
inherit a defective copy of the gene from *each* of its parents in order to show
clinical signs of the disease.
Since it is a simple
recessive gene, carriers will by definition not suffer from the disease.
Carriers also *cannot produce affected puppies* unless they are mated to another
dog who also carries the defective gene. Since affected dogs are highly unlikely
to ever be bred from, the only way that the disease condition can be produced is
via the breeding of two carrier dogs.
*Important*: A carrier
dog can be safely used in your breeding program. This is the beauty of having
DNA tests available. They allow us to identify carrier, clear and affected
individuals genetically. The practical use of this is as follows:
Clear dogs can be safely
bred to any other dog. They cannot pass on the defective gene, as they do not
possess it.
Carrier dogs can ALSO
safely be bred to CLEAR dogs. Since the clear dog cannot pass on the defective
gene, and since the carrier will ever only pass on one chromosome, the worst
that can happen is that another carrier may be created. Carriers never suffer
from the disease themselves, so this poses no health problems. If the Clumber
fancy panics and stops breeding carriers, when our breed has a carrier rate of
at least 22% of the breeding population, it will be all too easy to breed
ourselves into corners which may lead us to much more serious health concerns
for the breed as a whole.
This has occurred in other
breeds. Breeders who are so happy to have a test that can tell them about a
particular disease begin to breed specifically to cull that disease from a gene
pool. Unfortunately, all too often this leads to even worse genetic problems
cropping up, by virtue of restricting an already tiny gene pool even further.
The goal must be to prevent another affected dog from ever being produced. This
is easy: breed clear to clear, or clear to carrier - very safely. Two carriers
should never be bred together - as this is the ONLY way that an affected puppy
can be produced.
The expected ratio of
carriers in a hypothetical litter of four pups with one clear and one carrier
parent will be two clear and two carriers. Over time, the incidence of carriers
can slowly be decreased throughout the breed - without threatening the genetic
diversity we must so strongly try to increase. Knowing the status of our
breeding animals makes this a simple exercise in genetics. There is no need to
remove carriers from a breeding program, if the breeder is willing and able to
utilize dna tests intelligently.
Roe Froman, DVM
Free PDP1 Tests
The Clumber Spaniel Club is indebted to the Kennel
Club Charitable Trust for its support in this testing programme.
The Club can now offer the 100 free tests,
CLICK HERE
FOR AN APPLICATION FORM.
Current breeding stock, where either their sire or
dam has not been tested, will take priority. If both parents have tested clear
then all first generation progeny will also be “hereditarily clear”, therefore
the status of many of our younger dogs can be determined by the results of their
parents. However as this condition has apparently arisen as a mutated gene at
some time in the past then it is recommended that second generation progeny are
not assumed to be clear but tested to ensure that the gene has not re-emerged.
Results Table
The following list is not meant to frighten you. It is to make you aware of some of
the more common health issues affecting Clumber Spaniels. All breeds have some
incidence of defects and diseases, just as humans do. Awareness makes you better
prepared to deal with potential problems. The Clumber Spaniel does seem to be
afflicted with more than its fair share of problems but most of them are
controllable with a little bit of understanding, common sense and tender loving
care.
ANAL GLAND IMPACTION
Impacted anal glands become itchy and sore and typically the affected dog
will drag his anus along the ground or bite himself around the base of his tail. The major cause is dietary leading to stools that are insufficiently bulky to
force sac expression during defecation. Increasing the fibre content of the
dog's diet can often cure mild cases. More serious cases may need the glands to
be emptied by manual pressure (usually by a vet). In severe recurrent cases it may
be necessary to have the glands removed.
AUTOIMMUNE HÆMOLYTIC
ANÆMIA
This is a potentially life threatening condition where the body attacks it's
own immune system, causing a profound anæmia. Most common symptoms are a
dramatic sudden decrease in the dog's energy and activity level. The dog may
barely be able to get up and may be quite reluctant to move. It is important that
you seek veterinarian advice as soon as possible.
COLITIS
This is the inflammation of the large bowel or colon. Fæces tend to be soft
and may contain spots of blood and an increased amount of mucus. The dog appears
to be healthy in all other respects. This rarely requires a trip to the vet, as
it responds well to dietary management. Withhold food for 24 hours while
ensuring an adequate supply of water is available. After this time, feed the dog
on a light diet, such as chicken and rice or fish and rice for a couple of days
and then gradually put him back on to his normal diet. If this problem reoccurs
frequently, you may want to consider feeding your dog a diet especially
formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
DRY EYE (KERATO CONJUNCTIVIS SICCA)
With this disease the dog fails to produce tears. As the cornea dries, the
surface of the eye becomes covered with a grey, sticky mucus. It is important to
keep the eye area clean, which can be achieved with a bit of Optrex on
cottonwool. Artificial tears and anti-inflammatory drops will be needed to control
the condition.
EAR INFECTIONS
One of the most common causes of ear infections is lack of adequate
ventilation. In mild cases there may be little to see apart from an increase in
wax. As the disease progresses, the ear will begin to smell and the dog may
shake its head. The ear may become very painful. Regular maintenance should
prevent this from becoming a problem. The ears should be regularly checked and
cleaned with an ear cleaner. Excess hair should be cut away from inside the
earflap, so improving ventilation.
ENTROPION
In this condition, the edge of the eyelid rolls in so that the lashes and
hairs rub against the surface of the eye. Corrective surgery may be necessary, but
unless causing the dog severe discomfort should be postponed until the dogs head
has finished developing, as quite often it corrects itself as part of
development.
HIP DYSPLASIA
Is not life threatening but may cause extreme discomfort in severely affected
dogs. All Clumber Spaniels have hip dysplasia, and in all likelihood, should
your veterinarian x-ray your dogs hips, he will probably tell you that your dog
has the worst hips he has ever seen. Needless to say, to the best of my
knowledge there are very few Clumbers that actually 'suffer' because of their
hips. This breed is a heavy breed and is not designed for 10-mile daily hikes. As long as you respect this and follow your breeder's instructions on bringing
your puppy up, you should hopefully not experience hip problems. The Clumber
Spaniel Club encourages members to X-ray breeding stock and submit plates to the
BVA/KC scheme.
INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DISEASE
These discs are soft cartilagenous structures located between individual
spinal vertebrae to allow smooth frictionless movement of the spine. When a disc
ruptures, the jelly like centre is squeezed upwards against the spinal cord and
nerves, applying pressure and causing inflammation and pain. The two most common
locations for disc disease are in the neck and the midback. Disc disease is
usually seen in the middle-aged dog due to the disc finally rupturing after much
wear and tear. Some cases will respond well to medical treatment aimed at reducing the
inflammation and swelling around the disc. Those with recurrent pain may require
spinal surgery to remove the affected disc. Not all dogs with disc problems
recover - some may be left with completely paralysed hind legs. Many owners give a
supplement of Glucosamine with Chondroitin throughout the dogs life which has
been shown to rehabilitate cartilage and reduce the progression of arthritis.
SKIN ALLERGIES
Most skin diseases are as a result of a reaction between the dog's skin and
its environment. These disorders may be chronic, intermittent or seasonal, and
so may require constant or intermittent treatment. Most common causes of skin
irritations are: - parasitic e.g. fleas, mites (mange); bacterial (pyoderma) -
this is usually secondary to some other skin disease; contact allergies ~ the
skin becomes directly sensitised to some material in his environment; food
allergies; and anal gland impactionTreatment depends on the cause of the
irritation.
UMBILICAL HERNIAS
An umbilical hernia occurs where the umbilical cord was attached to the puppy
from the placenta. It is a hole or rupture in the body wall, through which
abdominal fat protrudes. In most cases only a small piece of fat protrudes and
this becomes sealed off so that the hernia cannot be reduced by finger pressure. If
the hole is large enough for a loop of intestine to pass through, then it will
be necessary to have it surgically repaired to prevent the hernia becoming
'strangulated'.
UTERINE INERTIA
A condition of the whelping bitch who either fails or gives up having
contractions. An injection of the hormone oxytocin may stimulate contractions
but should only be used if the cervix is fully open. If there has been no
response from the injection after 20 minutes then a Caesarean section may be the
only course of action (A car ride, or walk around the garden has frequently
been know to stimulate a bitch to start contractions)
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