Conditions Found In Staffords

[Guest Denise]

1. L-2-HGA Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria

In the past few years a small number of Staffords have been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder, its clinical name is L2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria or L-2-HGA. This condition manifests itself in varied ways with affected dogs displaying behavioural changes and dementia, anxiety attacks, having full blown seizures, as well as exercise intolerance and ataxia (unsteady gait), tremors and muscular stiffness. Dogs from totally different bloodlines have been found to be sufferers and the number of affected dogs diagnosed has risen. The disorder (and a similar linked disorder D-2 HGA) is found in humans, again very rare, but nevertheless devastating for those families affected by it. The disorder has an autosomal recessive method of inheritance, which means that both parents must be carriers of the affected gene to produce affected offspring.

 

 

 

Through excessive hard work not only on behalf of the Animal Health Trust at Newmarket and by people submitting blood and urine samples from the families of affected animals a genetic test has been determined to identify the carriers of the gene which causes L-2-HGA.

 

IT IS THEREFORE ADVISABLE THAT ALL BREEDING STOCK BE SCREENED IN ORDER TO ERADICATE THIS CONDITION IN THE FUTURE.

This can be done by submitting a blood sample to the AHT at Newmarket. For instructions on sample collection please download request for DNA testing form HERE

TESTING CAN TAKE UP TO 6 WEEKS FOR RESULTS SO PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THIS DONE IN PLENTY OF TIME BEFORE YOUR PLANNED MATING.

 

 

2. HC – HEREDITARY CATARACTS.

It is known that HC is inherited by and automal recessive path (i.e. both parents must be carriers of the defective gene to produce and affected offspring). HC is a progressive condition and this means that although a puppy is not born with cataracts they will start to develop at a juvenile age. (maybe from 8 months onwards), and will progress until the dog is totally blind. This condition is bilateral which means is affects both eyes equally. Thanks to the tireless research by the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket there is a now a DNA Test for Hereditary Cataracts.

 

CLEAR: the dog has 2 copies of the normal gene and will neither develop HC / L-2-HGA, nor pass a copy of the HC / L-2-HGA mutation to any of its offspring.

 

CARRIER: the dog has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutant gene that causes HC / L-2-HGA. It will not develop HC / L-2-HGA but will pass on the HC / L-2-HGA mutation to 50% (on average) of its offspring.

 

AFFECTED: the dog has two copies of the HC / L-2-HGA mutation and is affected with HC / L-2-HGAand will develop HC / L-2-HGA during its lifetime.

 

COST OF TESTING.

BOTH THE TEST FOR L2HGA AND HC ARE £60 EACH, HOWEVER IF YOU HAVE THE TWO TESTS DONE TOGETHER THIS WILL BE £100, A SAVING OF £20, PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS. THE AHT WILL SEND YOU THE SWABS FOR THE HC TEST UPON REQUEST, FREE OF CHARGE