Gordon Setter Breed Council - Index :

2010

Canine Genetics Progress Report : February 2010

PRA AHT Research Update : June 2010

PRA AHT Research Update : August 2010

2009

Gordon Setter Breed Council - Annual General Meeting (AGM)

PRA Breed Council Statement - March 2009

Funding for PRA Research

Link to the Animal Health Trust's Website

Gordon Setter Breed Council - Constitution & Rules

Minutes of the Breed Council Seminar on late onset PRA in Gordon Setters held on Sunday 19th April 2009

Recessive Inheritance Pattern

PRA Affected List

PRA Flyer

Gordon Setter Breed Council AGM Report

PRA AHT Research Update

Gordon Setter Breed Council - Annual General Meeting

Notice of Annual General Meeting Sunday 16th May 2010 at Harewood Village Hall following the ordinary meeting.

PRA Breed Council Statement

The Gordon Setter Breed Council represents 3 of the 4 Gordon Setter Breed Clubs in the UK: The Gordon Setter Association, The Gordon Setter Club of Scotland and the Gordon Setter Field Trial Society.

The Health Committee of the Gordon Setter Breed Council, has recently received a communication from a breeder regarding Gordon Setters being diagnosed with late onset PRA. The communication is supported by a health document supported by Dr Malcolm Willis and Dr Cathryn Mellersh of the Animal Health Trust.

It is part of the Breed Council’s remit to look closely at any potential health issues affecting the breed and to take appropriate action.

To this end the 3 member clubs are now working closely together to find out how widespread this is and to pass on accurate information.

We are in the process of trying to set up eye testing at our forthcoming Breed Shows.

We also intend to send out a Health Survey to the members of our Breed Clubs to try and get some sense of the extent of the problem.

One of the problems with late onset PRA is that to date it has been impossible to detect until the dog has actually started to lose his sight at around 8 years of age. Total blindness will occur around 9/10 years of age. Affected dogs may have been tested at an earlier age and gone clear. This means that these dogs could have been used in a breeding programme with the best of intentions but nonetheless have been spreading the disease.

On a positive note it is hoped that a gene test will be available in the not too distant future

which will be able to identify the “carriers” and “clears” in young puppies so that sensible breeding plans can be worked out.

For the moment we advise that all breeders have their dogs tested regularly.

Anyone with older blind dogs should have an eye test done as soon as possible by an ophthalmologist and, if a dog is tested positive, a blood sample taken and sent to Optigen USA and the Animal Health Trust UK.

There is no doubt that we face a difficult time ahead of us in getting to grips with this disease. But there can equally be no doubt that this must be faced head on and that nothing should be swept under the carpet. It will inevitably take some time to devise surveys and to get results from eye testing but we will proceed as quickly as we possibly can.

The Gordon Setter Breed Council will do everything within its power to deal with this in an active and positive way and to that end we would welcome any well documented comments from anywhere in the world regarding PRA in British bred dogs.

However this is not a time to be looking to lay blame at anyone’s door and we must be wary of jumping to unfounded conclusions. We must not assume that any old dog that is blind is suffering from PRA; there are many other causes.

We will make more information available as soon as we have it.

Elaine Roberts
Chairman - Gordon Setter Breed Council
March 2009

Funding for PRA Research

The Animal Health Trust is working on research to identify the marker gene for late onset PRA in Gordon Setters. Once this has been achieved a simple test will be devised to identify which Gordons are Affected / Carriers / Clear.

This will mean that we need never again breed a Gordon which will go blind.

The Breed Clubs will be contributing toward this research and the Breed Council is applying for a grant from the Kennel Club's Charitable Trust.

All donations can be ringfenced to be used solely for this purpose.

Anyone else wishing to make a contribution can do so directly to:-

Cathryn Mellersh
Animal Health Trust
Lanwades Park
Kentforfd
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 7UU

Please make sure you do a covering letter saying what it is for.

It would be helpful if you could also inform me so that I have a record for the Breed Council of support given within the bred when applying for Charitable Trust money.

Elaine Roberts

If you wish this can remain completely confidential.

Gordon Setter Breed Council - Constitution & Rules

1. NAME & OBJECTIVES

a) The title of the Council shall be 'The Gordon Setter Breed Council', hereinafter referred to as the 'Council'.

b) The objectives shall be as follows:

Minutes of the Breed Council Seminar on late onset PRA in Gordon Setters held on Sunday 19th April 2009

Stoneleigh Village Hall, Stoneleigh

Speakers :

Dr Jeff Sampson BSc DPhil
Wendy Smith (Kewstoke)
Kathryne Wrigley RVN, MBVNA  

Mrs Roberts, Chairman of the Breed Council welcomed everyone and thanked the Gordon Setter Association for hosting the event.

• Dr Sampson opened the meeting describing how as the form of PRA affecting Gordon Setters was late onset it was more difficult to cope with as dogs would have already been used for breeding.
• Owners needed to have their dogs eyes tested even beyond when they had stopped breeding from them and that they should be vigilant.
• There is a wide range of ages when clinical signs can be found. Clinical signs usually start at around 8 years.
• Some affected dogs my go blind earlier than others, some may never go blind. However, dependent upon the clinical expression of the parents and other genes in the dogs make up PRA could manifest itself from the age of 2 or 3.
• Dogs who are diagnosed as having late onset PRA and have been bred from may produce stock that goes blind at any earlier age
• The AHT need 12 samples from affected dogs and 12 samples from unaffected older dogs.
• Blood samples are preferred but mouth swabs can be used.
• It is going to be hard to predict how long it will take to find a test; it could be months possibly longer.
• The initial costs could start in the region of £10 à £15K
• The Breed Council can approach the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for additional funding.
• There will be a time lag between identifying the marker for late onset PRA and finding a solution. Meantime breeders need to be careful not to overreact and reduce the genetic pool by taking too many dogs out of the breeding programme. You could be left with dogs that have more problems and lose breed type . Many breed clubs are using genotype testing pre-mating to assist with selection of a compatible mate. Known carriers may be mated but with restrictions, i.e. not to untested dogs; not to other carriers but to normal dogs (see attached diagram).
• In Irish Setters Clad was found in 2000 to be a single recessive mutant gene. Over five years with responsible breeding with carriers only being mated to normal dogs and having all puppies tested the problem had been addressed and had gone away.
• During this period of research to identify the gene lines which are known as producers should be considered very carefully before being used as clinically affected dogs will produce carriers and therefore the problem will be exacerbated.
• Therefore the Breed requires openness. The Breed Council and Clubs should support open Breeders who share information. The KC/BVA Scheme results will be available through the Breed Record supplement and Breeds are encouraged to produce open registers.
• Since the late 80’s/early 90’s development of mutant gene testing has led to the 2005 Canine Genotype plan. The result of this is that AHT can now locate a chromosome area within 4-6 weeks.
• This experimental (not linear) development of technology will hopefully assist in rapid progress towards identification of the mutant gene. The Holy Grail will be 100% accuracy in testing. However we could be looking at a 99% accurate test.
• PRA is a progressive disease. Opthalmic observation is essential in monitoring dogs throughout their lifetime.
• PRA has a cumulative effect on the retinal cells. At an early stage only a small number of cells die and therefore rods and cones are affected slowly.
• An ophthalmologist will see the effect of cell death prior to blindness in the dog.
• Repeat testing may be required to identify if abnormal cell conditions are PRA.
• In the human form there are approximately 50 recessive gene mutations but as it is not normal to breed aunt/uncle, brother/sister then the risk of the passing on of the recessive mutant gene is considerably reduced.
• If you look at what percentage of dogs are used for breeding it is in the region of 20% therefore you are already losing 80% of your gene pool.
• When a test is established you can test puppies as young as 2 weeks old.
• In the interim work needs to start on research.
• The AHT will try to identify an area of the canine chromosome and then look for the gene within that area.
• Dr Sampson tried to simplify this by using the analogy of a motorway going from Land’s End to John o’Groats and on that road you would find a mile long stretch (this would equate to the area) and on that stretch you would then have to find something the size of a 50 pence piece (this would be the marker).
• There is the hope that a test that would be available quite quickly by identifying the area which would be fairly accurate but not 100%.

QUESTION

• Would you breed from the siblings of affected dogs?
• Only in exceptional circumstances; you would need to look at the level of risk. Affected dogs should not be bred from
• There is a need to keep a track of affected and carriers, possibly by putting the dog’s details on the internet. If there are 13 known affected dogs there will be 26 parent carriers and without a current test, siblings of affected dogs and parents could also be affected but not yet demonstrating ophthalmic signs. Prior to a test being available people should be careful in breeding and ask relevant questions.
• Siblings of affected dogs have a 2/3rds chance of being affected. Therefore do not mate siblings of two affected dogs, or potential affected dogs. However, type and temperament are also important.
• Take time in selection for a breeding programme.
• Breeders need to work together no one should be vilified, it is better to make detailed judgements on breeding by knowing who the affected dogs are.
• Testing at shows – the KC can give special permission to bring non entered dogs to show where eye testing is taking place.
• Once a test is developed pups from 2 weeks of age can be tested and normal dogs retained for breeding programmes.

QUESTION

• How do you raise this issue with puppy buyers?
• You have to be honest with them this is as much about educating them, although some people will have a problem even with the thought of a dog being a carrier.

QUESTION

• Do we need to approach the KC to have PRA on the list of problems that Gordon Setters have?
• A letter needs to go to the BVA/KC panel ensuring Gordons are registered as Schedule A or B . KC panel opthalmologists are aware of this issue. By being on the register other general veterinary practitioners will become aware. Once the issue is listed under Schedule A tested animals results will appear in the Breed Record Supplement.

• The Breed Council can make a major contribution to the health of Gordon Setters by having annual surveys. This would mean that the Health Co-ordinator would have a pivotal role between the breed and the Kennel Club.
• Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Roberts both thanked Dr Sampson for his time and advice.

Wendy Smith took the floor

• Asking breeders to contact all their puppy owners. Pet owners may not want to have their dogs eyes tested as there is nothing that can be done if they do have PRA. Breeders should explain to them the importance of the test in helping to try and find a marker.
• Some of the symptoms exhibited by Wendy’s dog were that he would not walk in heavily shaded areas or go out into the dark
• Other symptoms may include clumsiness, walking into things
• Some people may not even notice as dogs are creatures of habit and if nothing changes in their surroundings then it may not be obvious.
• Concerns have been raised about this all around the world and some overseas breed clubs have said they would donate to the AHT fund. The Breed Council are to contact them.
• Are there any other foreign lines involved in this or is it just UK dogs?
• There are dogs in Scandinavian countries and the USA
• Kathryne Wrigley will be writing an article for one of the veterinary magazines to try and bring this to the attention of vets.
• People with Gordons are asked to speak to their own vets and tell them about this and the AHT research
• Could we centralise the funding?
• The Breed Council could co-ordinate this.
• What are you going to do about contacting the owners of affected dogs?
• The Breed Council are going to do this.
• Mrs Upton Lovett asked Miss Wrigley if she would pass on the information about affected dogs and the BGSC would put them on their web site.
• Mrs Watson said the eye test results could also be put into the GSA results book as this was already done with hip scores.

The seminar closed with a vote of thanks from Judy Hartley to the Breed Council and the GSA for their support and reaction to the problem.

Recessive Inheritance Pattern

PRA Affected List

The owners of all these dogs have been contacted and have given their permission for their details to be published.

The parents of all “Affected” dogs are “Carriers” or “Affected” and at least one of the grandparents will be a “Carrier” or “ Affected”.

This list will be updated as information becomes available and permission is given from owners. We are aware that there are currently another 5 Affected dogs which were not bred from.

We are now trying to contact the owners of “unconfirmed but suspected PRA affected dogs” to seek permission to publish their details. These dogs are now deceased so cannot be tested and confirmed.

PRA Flyer

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 3 or higher to read and print the Gordon Setter Breed Council PRA Flyer from the GSA Website. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can Download it for Free from Adobe.

PRA Flyer (Acrobat PDF Format)

Gordon Setter Breed Council AGM Report

PRA : What the Breed Council has done so far:

On 7 th February the issue of late onset PRA in Gordons was brought to the attention of the Breed Council by Wendy Smith after it was diagnosed in her own dogs. Within days, after satisfying ourselves that Wendy’s research was well documented and supported by veterinary experts, all member of Breed Council committee had been informed and Wendy’s article circulated to them.

The owners of the dogs identified as being carriers were written to and asked for their comments.

Overseas Gordon Setter Breed Clubs were contacted and informed of the situation with advice to them to keep an eye on the GSA website for up to date information as it came to hand. A positive response was received from all those who replied.

An Eye Seminar was organised in conjunction with the GSA to follow their AGM.

As agreed at the Eye Seminar, all owners of known “affected” dogs have been contacted and asked to sign a release form, giving permission for that dog’s details to be published on the GSA website for the benefit of future breeding. We have had a good response.

* * Details of “Affected” dogs are now on the website * * (20.5.09)

All owners of breeding stock and Gordons over 7 are being encouraged to have their eyes tested and to send away blood tests / swabs to the Animal Health Trust.

We are in the process of setting up a Health Survey to go out to members of the constituent clubs. This is being done with the Animal Health Trust. A long term Health Survey is also being investigated.

Following the Breed Council’s request that the BVA place Gordon Setters on the appropriate schedule for PRA, this has now been done. Gordons are on schedule B i.e. “under investigation”. This means that all vets will be informed of their status and so be on the look out for it.

We have contacted the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to apply for a grant from them to go to the Animal Health Trust for research into finding the marker gene which will enable a DNA test to be developed which will identify “affected”, “carrier” and “clear” dogs from a very early age. All the Gordon Setter Breed Clubs are making a contribution towards this and in total we already have a sum approaching £10,000.

We are asking the Kennel Club’s Charitable Trust to match this and we are hopeful.

They meet on 1 st June.

All the paperwork will go from the Breed Council to the Kennel Club tomorrow following this meeting.

** Application has now gone and KC has confirmed it will be considered
at meeting on 1 st June ** (20.5.09)

We will continue to disseminate information as it becomes available through the GSA website and through mailings from our member clubs.

Updated : 8 August, 2010