End Wobblers Syndrome in Weimaraners
Donation protected
The Weimaraner Club of NSW is beginning to raise funds in order to fast track and prioritize research into Wobbler's Syndrome in Weimaraners ( spondylosis of the Spine )
We have engaged Orivet in Melbourne Victoria who are happy to conduct the research and adsorb a majority of the costs but this initial fund raiser will help prioritize and fast track what is quickly becoming a massive issue in the breed.
Anyone that has lived with a dog that has wobbler's disease will understand where we are coming from its a dreadful disease that really takes a dog downhill in its later stages of life.
Our aim is to introduce a screening program that will help identify and rule out potential carriers from breeding programs, this is where the problem starts as presently there is no genetic means of testing available, only X-ray which is not 100% effective and usually only done once physical signs begin to show in a middle aged dog.
Orivet will aim to identify a potential candidate gene or sequence of genes that are defective and causing this abnormality.
Orivet transcript:
Hello Gordon,
You are correct in that there currently is not genetic test for Spondylosis. We currently offer what is published and available – brain hypomyelination, spinal dysraphism, hypouricosuria, there is a genetic test for Epidermolysis Bullosa which we do not offer. I am hoping that breeders would screen for these disease to ensure no ‘confusion’ over whether Wobblers especially brain hypomyelination. As to potential research we are always open to look at research and currently have taken on 3 small research projects to try and find potential candidate genes. So what is involved in Orivet taking on potential research? Well the email below is a good start, mainly the breeders and breed as a whole recognising a disease in their breed that needs attention. From there we would look at screening (whole genome sequencing) and would screen a positive (symptomatic dog) and that includes a vet report and then a completely non symptomatic dog. From there we then look at whether we can find a potential candidate gene and this is when it becomes a challenge running and screening a number of positive and carriers and trying to screen a broad representation of pedigrees. To ensure that the candidate even is in fact correct. I realise that I am making this all seem so easy but it can be and most of time is not as we find most diseases are complex and involve a number of genes. Costs? We would run internally and absorb costs but again this would be based on what we see as a priority but if funding was available it would speed up and make it a priority and is anything from around $6ooo for the initial stage and then another $2000 at second stage. So the key for us is these control samples and ensuring that all samples are vet assessed and all the same symptoms. Let me know if this brief explanation helps and we are happy to discuss in more detail if required.
Regards,
George Sofronidis BSc (Hons)
Co-Founder & Managing Director |M + 61 408 679 994 |Skype caninegeorge
We have engaged Orivet in Melbourne Victoria who are happy to conduct the research and adsorb a majority of the costs but this initial fund raiser will help prioritize and fast track what is quickly becoming a massive issue in the breed.
Anyone that has lived with a dog that has wobbler's disease will understand where we are coming from its a dreadful disease that really takes a dog downhill in its later stages of life.
Our aim is to introduce a screening program that will help identify and rule out potential carriers from breeding programs, this is where the problem starts as presently there is no genetic means of testing available, only X-ray which is not 100% effective and usually only done once physical signs begin to show in a middle aged dog.
Orivet will aim to identify a potential candidate gene or sequence of genes that are defective and causing this abnormality.
Orivet transcript:
Hello Gordon,
You are correct in that there currently is not genetic test for Spondylosis. We currently offer what is published and available – brain hypomyelination, spinal dysraphism, hypouricosuria, there is a genetic test for Epidermolysis Bullosa which we do not offer. I am hoping that breeders would screen for these disease to ensure no ‘confusion’ over whether Wobblers especially brain hypomyelination. As to potential research we are always open to look at research and currently have taken on 3 small research projects to try and find potential candidate genes. So what is involved in Orivet taking on potential research? Well the email below is a good start, mainly the breeders and breed as a whole recognising a disease in their breed that needs attention. From there we would look at screening (whole genome sequencing) and would screen a positive (symptomatic dog) and that includes a vet report and then a completely non symptomatic dog. From there we then look at whether we can find a potential candidate gene and this is when it becomes a challenge running and screening a number of positive and carriers and trying to screen a broad representation of pedigrees. To ensure that the candidate even is in fact correct. I realise that I am making this all seem so easy but it can be and most of time is not as we find most diseases are complex and involve a number of genes. Costs? We would run internally and absorb costs but again this would be based on what we see as a priority but if funding was available it would speed up and make it a priority and is anything from around $6ooo for the initial stage and then another $2000 at second stage. So the key for us is these control samples and ensuring that all samples are vet assessed and all the same symptoms. Let me know if this brief explanation helps and we are happy to discuss in more detail if required.
Regards,
George Sofronidis BSc (Hons)
Co-Founder & Managing Director |M + 61 408 679 994 |Skype caninegeorge
Co-organizers (2)
Gordon Huskinson
Organizer
Canoelands, NSW
Narelle Goold
Co-organizer