Founded 1973
HEALTH ISSUES
FOR MORE DETAILED EXPLANATIONS ABOUT THESE CONDITIONS AND THE GENETIC TESTING
CLICK HERE
In
general, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a healthy, robust breed. There are,
however, a couple of hereditary health issues which need to be considered when you are
buying a new puppy or if you are planning to breed from your dog/bitch. L-2 HGA Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria |
| NEUROLOGICALCONDITION–
L-2-HGA (L-2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria) In the past few years a small number of Staffords
have been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder; its
clinical title is L-2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria or L-2 HGA. This condition has manifested
itself in varied ways with dogs exhibiting
behaviour changes and dementia (staring at walls, getting stuck under tables and in
corners, loss of obedience and house training),anxiety states, having full blown seizures,
as well as exercise intolerance, ataxia (unsteady gait), tremors and muscular stiffness.
Dogs from differing 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 the families affected by
it. The disorder has an autosomal recessive method of inheritance, meaning that both
parents must be carriers of the defective gene to produce affected offspring. Research into the disorder as it affects canines was undertaken at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, as well as at universities in Holland and USA. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) shows changes in the grey matter of the brain in all the dogs.There is NOW a
genetic screening test to determine which dogs are carriers of the gene that causes
L2. It is recommended that ALL BREEDING STOCK should be screened in order to
eradicate this condition in the future. TESTING CAN TAKE UP TO 6 WEEKS FOR RESULTS TO COME BACK SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SUBMITTED BLOOD SAMPLES LONG BEFORE YOU PLAN YOUR MATINGInformation about the testing can be found at http://www.aht.org.uk/sci_diag_disc_genetic_l2.html |
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For details of testing sessions arranged around the country for PHPV/HC or L-2-HGA testing please click here
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EYE CONDITIONS - HC , PHPV & PPSC
For
many years now the breed has been aware of two hereditary eye conditions, HC
(Hereditary Cataract)
and
PHPV
(Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitroeus) You
may already have seen elsewhere on the site reference to this.
It
is known that HC is inherited by an autosomal
recessive path (i.e. that both parents
must be carriers of the defective gene to produce affected offspring). HC is a
progressive condition and this means that although the puppy is not born with cataracts
they will start to develop at a juvenile stage (maybe from 8 months onwards) and will
progress until the dog is totally blind. The condition is bi-lateral, meaning that
it will affect both eyes equally.
The mode of
inheritance for PHPV is not so clear, but it is known that it is a congenital condition
(present at birth) and that it is not progressive. This means that if a puppy is
born with PHPV it can be detected by ophthalmic screening from 6 weeks of age and if it is
affected, whatever the condition of the problem at that stage it will not change
throughout the dog’s life.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AHT IS NOW ASKING FOR BLOOD SAMPLES FROM PHPV AFFECTED SBTs, THEIR SIBLINGS, PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS TO ENABLE THEM TO PROGRESS THEIR RESEARCH
Either condition
can be operated on but it is a serious operation, obviously quite traumatic and expensive.
It is not always covered by pet insurance due to the hereditary nature.
It is important
that dogs are screened and either DNA tested for HC or certified ‘unaffected’
for PHPV before being bred from. Also check out our 'Eyes' page.
The Animal Health Trust offers the DNA test for HEREDITARY CATARACT You can download the form here
Posterior
Polar Subcapsular Cataract (PPSC)
This type of
cataract is found in other breeds, particularly the Labrador & Golden Retriever. It
usually remains as a small , punctate cataract & doesn't usually lead to sight
problems in the Lab.& Golden. It has been placed on Schedule 3 of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye
Scheme because a number of Staffords that have been through the Scheme have been found to
have this type of cataract. It is advised that as this type of cataract can't be
detected through litter screening, the mode of inheritance is not known and has a variable
age of onset, breeding stock should be tested annually to determine that the dog is
certified clear at the time of mating.
There
is also a screening scheme for Hip Dysplasia overseen by the BVA/KC. Results are
published in the Breeds Records Supplement.
To contact the
British Veterinary Association to find the nearest vet able to carry out testing for
either eye conditions or hip dysplasia go to http://www.bva.co.uk/public/chs/
Any queries contact
our club secretary Lesley