KC’s New Health Program For Dalmatians

The Kennel Club has approved a new health programme, in collaboration with the Dalmatian breed clubs, which are collectively supportive of a DNA test for the SLC2A9 gene associated with Hyperuricosuria (HUU)/Urate Stone Disorder (USD).

Hyperuricosuria is an inherited condition which can affect Dalmatians.  Dogs with two copies of the SLC2A9 gene (one inherited from their mother and one inherited from their father) are predisposed to higher levels of uric acid in their urine.  These increased levels can lead to crystals and stone structures forming in the urinary tract, which may cause infections, blood in the urine and blockage of the urethra (the tube that takes urine out of the body from the bladder).

This DNA test is particularly relevant to Dalmatian outcrosses and subsequent generations of progeny derived from such outcrosses.

Acceptance of results for this test by the Kennel Club is conditional upon the following test protocols:

• that dogs to be tested are microchipped and registered before the test sample is taken;
• that the test sample (whether buccal swab or blood sample or other) is taken by a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse who first confirms the microchip identity of the test subject and records both the microchip number and registration name on the sample container/package;
• that the sample is sent directly  by the veterinary surgery to the testing laboratory; and
• that the testing laboratory is one which is approved by, or acceptable to, the Kennel Club.

Copies of all future test certificate results issued by the following laboratories will be recorded at this time, provided they comply with the above protocols:

• Animal Health Trust
• Animal DNA Diagnostics
• Animal Genetics
• Laboklin

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Kennel Club is constantly reviewing health programmes and testing schemes in conjunction with breed clubs to ensure that the tools are in place for breeders to be able to continue breeding healthy dogs.

“We are pleased to be announcing this new health programme for Dalmatians, which will help breeders make informed decisions when it comes to breeding, enable potential puppy buyers to be aware of issues which could affect their breed, and ultimately further protect and maintain the health of Dalmatians.

“The Kennel Club continues to work alongside breed clubs and breed health coordinators, in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs. We are happy to accommodate a club’s request to add a new DNA test to its lists and would normally need a formal request from the breed’s health coordinator or a majority request from the breed clubs.”

Test results will be added to the dog’s registration details which will trigger the publication of the result in the next available Breed Records Supplement. The result will appear on any new registration certificate issued for the dog and on the registration certificates of any future progeny of the dog, and also on the Health Test Results Finder on the Kennel Club website.

If the owner includes the original registration certificate for the dog (not a copy) then a new registration certificate will be issued, with the DNA result on it, free of charge.  Please send any DNA test certificates to Health & Breeder Services, The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London, W1J 8AB or scan and email copies of the certificates to hbs@thekennelclub.org.uk.

Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=97845

Posted by chesliepickett on Feb 8 2016. Filed under World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.