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| HEALTH NEWS AND SUTDIES GOING ON FOR THE AUSSIE |
| Link to information on current Research projects going on for the Australian shepherd and health issues http://www.ashgi.org/research.htm |
Genetic Mutation Associated With Hereditary Cataract In The Australian Shepherd –Launch of New DNA Test At Animal Health Trust Background During 2006 researchers at the Animal Health Trust, UK identified a genetic mutation in a small number of Australian Shepherds affected with Hereditary Cataract (HC). To further investigate the relationship between the mutation and HC in the breed the AHT recruited and analysed DNA samples from a large number of additional Australian Shepherd from the UK, Europe and USA. The results show conclusively that the mutation is a risk factor for the development of cataract in the Australian Shepherd. Our study indicates that the likelihood of developing bilateral posterior cataracts is approximately 12 times higher for Australian Shepherds that carry the mutation (either one or two copies) than it is for dogs that don’t carry the mutation. The mutation is dominant, which means that dogs only need to inherit a single copy of the mutation to be at increased risk of developing cataracts. This also means that dogs/bitches that have produced offspring with cataracts are not necessarily carriers of the mutation as the affected offspring may have inherited a single copy of the mutation from their other parent. DNA Test Available March 2008 The Animal Health Trust is very pleased to announce the launch of a DNA test based on the mutation we have identified. The test will be available from March 10th. For full details regarding how to submit a sample for testing will shortly be made available on our website (www.aht.org.uk). What The Results Mean If your dog carries one or two copies of the mutation it has an increased chance of developing bilateral posterior cataracts. We currently estimate it is about 12 times more likely to develop this type of cataract than a dog that doesn’t carry the mutation. If your dog does not carry the mutation it has a lower chance of developing cataracts, during its lifetime. It is possible that additional mutations exist in the Australian Shepherd population that are also risk factors for the development of cataracts; our DNA test does not currently detect these mutations. If your dog carries a single copy of the mutation it will pass the mutation (and the increased risk of developing cataracts) onto to approximately 50% of its offspring. If it carries two copies of the mutation it will pass the mutation onto all of its offspring. |