Calling All Cavalier Owners: Your Breed Needs You!
November 15, 2008 by Freelance Writers
Cavalier Owners Required for Health Information and DNA
Written and prepared by Carol Fowler
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed suffers from two major inherited diseases: Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Chiari-like Malformation/Syringomyelia (CM/SM)
These two diseases are threatening the Cavalier breed. Research indicates that 50% of Cavaliers develop a heart murmur by the age of five years and many die prematurely. Almost all Cavaliers have the Chiari-like malformation (CM) and research suggests at least 30% also have Syringomyelia (SM). SM is a condition where pockets of fluid collect in the spinal cord and can cause chronic and sometimes severe pain as well as other neurological disabilities.
Major research projects are now under way to help the Cavalier breed and enable breeders to breed healthy dogs. For example, Syringomyelia DNA Research (Dr Clare Rusbridge), and Optimisation Research (Dr Sarah Blott). The success of this research depends on Cavalier breeders and owners sending health information about their dogs to the scientists involved.
Health information needed
* Cardiologist checked heart test certificates (annually);
* MRI results for CM/SM;
* Eye test results for Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD).
* Pedigree or Kennel Club (KC) registration number of your dog (or five generation pedigree if your dog is not registered).
* DNA (in the form of cheek swabs).
Note that any of the above health information is helpful and that data from non UK dogs is also valuable.
Does this seem like a tall order? Yes it is, but if you are willing to help, you would be contributing to the future health of the breed we all love.
About the testing
Testing for MVD and MRD is straightforward and not hugely expensive, but for CM/SM it would need a ‘mini’ MRI scan at one of the veterinary centres which offers this service (see list of low cost MRI centres). The cost is around £200-£300 (including VAT) and involves an MRI scan of the brain and upper cervical spinal cord. This will need to be done either under heavy sedation or a general anaesthetic so that the dog can be positioned correctly and kept immobile for the scan. It will show if your dog has the Chiari-like malformation and Syringomyelia. The most useful information for researchers is for your dog to be at least two and a half years old when scanned because this condition can develop later in life. Scanned dogs over six years are particularly helpful.
All copies of screening certificates and pedigrees should be sent to:
Dr Sarah Blott
CKCS Health Breeding Programme
Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU
This can also be done electronically: sarah.blott@aht.org.uk
Request for DNA
Researchers also need DNA from your dog. DNA can be collected using cheek swab samples which can be done by you or your vet.
Animal Health Trust: Health Breeding Programme (Optimisation)
In addition to the health information outlined above, DNA from your Cavalier can be used towards developing a Breeding Programme for Cavaliers which optimizes health. Dr Sarah Blott’s study aims to calculate estimated breeding values (EBVs) for all Cavaliers, using the health data supplied by owners and breeders. With EBVs breeders will be able to use a computer programme to match their dogs with suitable mates. This aims to select against SM and MVD in a way that does not reduce genetic diversity.
Free DNA swab kits can be obtained from Lisa Jeffery at the Animal Health Trust on 01638 750659 ext 1214 or email: lisa.jeffery@aht.org.uk
Syringomyelia DNA Research (search for the gene/s causing CM/SM)
Dr Clare Rusbridge, and the genome research team at the University of Montreal, Canada, aim to identify the causative genes or gene markers for CM/SM that will be used for the Health Breeding Programme. The investigation is at an advanced stage and the researchers are particularly requesting DNA from dogs over five years old that do not have Syringomyelia.
Please send copies of the MRI certificate/report and five generation pedigree certificate to:
Dr Clare Rusbridge/Penny Knowler
Syringomyelia DNA Research,
Stone Lion Veterinary Centre, Wimbledon Village, London, SW19 5AU
Information can be sent electronically: penny.knowler@ntlworld.com
You will be sent a free swab kit for forwarding to Canada.
Please note that if your dog is in this category (over 5 years and no SM), the information is needed in addition to that sent to Sarah Blott at the AHT. In other words, DNA and pedigrees should be sent to two separate places in this case.
Thank you so much for your help and apologies for the complexity. Cavaliers are worth it, though, aren’t they?
If you need any further information or clarification, please contact Carol Fowler.
Tel: 01453 843944
Email: carol@fowler1000.fslife.co.uk
Author DetailsK9 Magazine welcomes submissions from freelance contributors. If you would like information on submitting dog related articles for publication see our webpage - See this author's webpage
Related posts:
- Pet Owners: Can You Help the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
- Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs): A Way to Breed Away From Inherited Disease in all Dog Breeds?
- Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - A Genetic Study
- Cavalier Clubs Get Their PR Advice (From The Kremlin)
- Why I Spoke Out About Cavaliers by Margaret Carter
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Could I just mention that the figure of 30,000 of the Cavalier Population said to be suffering from Syringomyelia is Biased .
The figure is a third of Clinical Cases seen by Neurologists,which gives a different picture .
At the moment it is not known how wide-spread the Problem is in the Cavalier ,and probably won’t be till 2010 ,when Dr Blott has concluded her Research into the Problem.
It should also be emphasised that Syringomyelia is not confined to the Cavalier Breed ,it is known as a Small Breed Disease.
The question has to be being asked ,why is it in other Small Breeds ,what is the Link.
Bet Hargreaves
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I should have mentioned that for a full MRI Scan a Cavalier will have a General Anaesthetic ,which will last for around one hour .
I am glad I am not a Cavalier Breeder ,I know when any of our Cavaliers had to have their Teeth removed ,and that was only a GE for a limited time, because of the Heart Trouble in the Breed I was very worried .
Finally ,there has been quite a number of Reports of Cavalier Bitches whelping Dead and Deformed Litters recently, could this be a result of MRI Scanning .
I wonder has there been any Research carried out to discover if MRI Scanning could be causing problems.?
Bet Hargreaves
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There are very few risks associated with MRI scans and it is important, vital, that breeders begin to realise that whilst the scanning technology exists, they need to start using it - all of them. A refusal to be dragged in to the 21st century is tantamount to animal abuse in my book. I really do see it in very black and white terms.
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“A refusal to be dragged in to the 21st century is tantamount to animal abuse in my book.”
Ryan, I wish you would bring your black and white thinking to the all the human atrocities and human suffering that happen in the world every day. There are people living in inhumane conditions in this world without clean safe water or sufficint food who could benefit from your tenacity. The plight of Cavaliers and their dedicated owners, while important, pales in comparison to the life and death situations many people face everyday. To suggest that not MRI’ing a dog is “tantamount to animal abuse” is despicable. Be resaonable.
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But this is an obscure logic, weird even. This is a dog magazine discussing dog issues, in particular this is a health feature on the CKCS - so what human atrocities has to do with anything in relation to this, I do not know. I stand by what I said unreservedly. If a person is going to breed their dog and their are health testing options available and it is is well known about the genetic conditions in that breed which can lead to INCREDIBLE suffering in the affected off spring, by not testing that is absolutely tantamount to abuse. There are some dogs who’ve been deliberately produced who have had to endure the most astonishing suffering - suffering that could have been avoided. I’m not nor ever have said health testing holds all the answers but for those who flippantly choose to carry on regardless and ignore the science that is available to them, they are animal abusers in my mind.
Really has no bearing at all on human issues and, as I came in with, this is an obscure line of thinking. It’s like saying anyone who works with disadvantaged children should, on a scale of suffering, not be wasting their time on that but should instead be putting their efforts in to schemes tackling genocides. Life doesn’t work this way.
When I see a dog that has been indiscriminately bred by someone who opted not to even bother using the screening tools available to them, I have no distinction between that type of person and someone else who neglects their animals. They are as bad as each other.
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Your tenacity would not go to waste with disadvantaged children either. Rather than denigrating breeders and the KC (heard your rado interview online), why not be proactive? Clearly you have the energy and drive. Maybe you could encourage rather than criticize, maybe even help out with fundraising for Cavalier owners to be able to afford to get their dogs MRI’s? BTW, no animal should ever have to suffer as we have always had the means to end the life of an animal that is suffering, as unpleasant as that is. The Cavalier community has embraced Dr. Rusbridge’s work and she has established breeding guidelines. One either works with the problem or stop breeding and let the breed die out. There is some black and white thinking for you. This site is about research efforts that are in place to try to find out more about the inheritance and hopefully in time how to avoid the problem. Couldn’t you have just come on here and shown some genuine enthusiam that the problem is being addressed rather than assuming folk won’t participate? Change takes time and it doesn’t happen any faster by badgering people. Much better to encourage and ease people into new things, than assume they won’t adapt.
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Ryan,
Thank you for understanding my point of view.
I am not a Cavalier Breeder ,never have been ,a Broken Hearted Cavalier Pet Owner though,who has had many,many tears because of the Heart Trouble afflicting the Cavalier Breed.
I am ,at the moment asking the Kennel Club,why they wont stop Registering Cavalier Puppies whose Sires and Dams have not been Heart Tested.This would also get the Puppy Farmers involved.
Now to MRI Scanning ,first of all an Important Cavalier Breeder in America ,has stated publicly ,that full MRI Scans must be being carried out ,Mini MRI Scans are not really of much use.
There have been MRI Scans done ,and the results showed the Cavaliers having no signs of SM,they were mated ,and the Off-Springs did have SM.
I just don’t know the answer to this,
Particularly now ,since it has just been announced a couple of days ago that Foetal Research,have discovered that there was not a single case of proper Cerebellar Herniation in any of the Still Born Pups submitted.
So is this one of the mysteries of SM discovered? .
Time will tell.
There is now a Neuropathologist involved in this Research Work.
As I mentioned ,I am glad that I am not a Cavalier Breeder ,
With this latest Foetal Research information ,I for sure don’t know, but could the SM problem be Environmental,and this is why it is involving other Small Breeds of Dogs.
Just maybe it is not a Genetic Problem after all.
So much needs to be being found out about the SM Disease .
Bet Hargreaves.
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Wendy
For tackling all the human suffering and atrocities in the world may I suggest you search for sites such as Amnesty International. They are a fantastic organisation and well worth supporting for addressing those important issues you raise. But just for your information it is my understanding that K9 Magazine is a publication that champions a wide range of causes in canine health and welfare reform. That is why this excellent piece by Carol Fowler would be published here.
And Ryan is correct in looking at it in black and white terms. Carol has mapped out a clear route through which Cavalier owners can try to address the health issues this breed now faces. It is up to you whether you support these best efforts or not. It seems to me, as so often is the case with many a breed ruined by the show world that standing round arguing the toss over the numbers of dogs affected is a complete waste of time and will only harm the dogs further. So please cavalier breeders and enthusiasts please do take up this call.
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This piece deserves to be here too:
http://www.doggenetichealth.org/cavalier_king_charles_spaniel_club.php
I am all for the championing of causes but not flogging dead horses. Obviously the Cavalier community have always recognized the challenges that have cropped up in their breed over the years, and have done the best they could to address them, just as most breed clubs do. Health problems are not easy issues and often little progress can be made until technology catches up and can shed light on the matter. There is plenty of room for energetic individuals interested in helping Cavaliers in the areas of fund-raising for research and disseminating information. I suggest people put their efforts into helping Cavaliers rather than bashing breeders. If you are not part of the solution than you are most definitely part of the problem. The Cavalier community is taking the necessary steps to address problems in the breed. I remain firm on my position that there are worldwide people problems which are far more pressing and for which there are no answers in sight. If one can’t find it in their heart to support the Cavalier community in their efforts than one is living too insular an existance. Go out and see the human misery that abounds in this world and get some perspective in life. Please let the Cavalier Community get on with their mission without the ongoing negativity and finger-pointing; far too much energy is being wasted in these non-productive activities.
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Philippa,
I just don’t want to be arguing with you.
I am just the facts as I have been told them.
As to the 30,000 of the Cavalier Population claimed to be suffering from SM, Dr M Willis,the World Renowned Geneticist,has said in his Book on Genetics ,that when a Health Problem appears in a Breed ,it is a Priority to discover how wide-spread the Problem is.
Since Dr Blott has mentioned in a recent CKCS CLUB News-Letter ,that it it is possible that the SM figures are Biased ,they were Based on Clinical Cases of SM seen by Neurologists,this is why she ,hopefully will have more of an idea how wide-spread the Problem is by 2010.
I do so hope that the EBV Research will help in the SM Problem, but because it has only been used for Cows to increase their Milk Yield,Pigs for Fat Content ,and Sheep to incease their Wool,this is really a new diection this type of Research is going .
Bet Hargreaves
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Don’t blame the breeders?Are you kidding?When a breeder has been informed that pups she has sold are afflicted with syringomyelia and she continues to breed those same parents,that is not only abusive but possibly criminal,get off your human affliction bandwagon we are speaking in a dog forum here,go to a human suffering forum if you want to save the world.
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