HEALTHGENE´S CANINE BULLETIN (01.19.2005)
IN BRIEF
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CANINE DISTEMPER OUTBREAK IN LOS ANGELES
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According to the Los Angeles Daily News, canine distemper
outbreak was reported last month by Los Angeles Animal Services.
The outbreak was announced after approximately six infected
dogs were brought into the city's shelters. Canine distemper
is a highly contagious airborne virus that attacks the respiratory,
gastrointestinal and nervous system of dogs and puppies,
according to the American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA). Symptoms include fever, eye inflammation and discharge,
nasal discharge, reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and
lack of energy. Officials are urging pet owners to get their
dogs vaccinated.
Source: VetPractiveNews.com
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SIX MORE BREEDS ADDED TO AKC REGISTRY IN 2004
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The American Kennel Club announced six new breeds to be
added to the club's Foundation Stock Service registry. These
breeds are: Estrela Mountain Dog, Grand Basset Griffon,
Vendeen, Kooikerhondje, Mudi, Portuguese Podengo, Rat Terrier.
Source: American Kennel Club (www.akc.org)
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FIRST DOG EPILEPSY GENE IDENTIFIED
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Researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto,
Canada) in collaboration with veterinary neurologists in
England have identified the gene that may be responsible
for a rare form of epilepsy in dogs - progressive myoclonic
epilepsy. While numerous genes associated with human epilepsy
have already been found, this is the first gene associated
with canine epilepsy to be discovered. Statistically, 5-10
percent of dogs have epilepsy compared to about 1 percent
of humans.
According to the study, the dogs most commonly affected
by this form are purebred dogs, such as basset hounds, miniature
and standard poodles, pointers, corgis, beagles and daschunds,
according to the study.
Source: Forbes.com
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HEALTHGENE'S HIGHLIGHTS
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
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HealthGene Laboratory has entered into the final stage of
preparation with a new DNA test for Canine Progressive Myoclonic
Epilepsy (PME). The mutation has recently been discovered
at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, and
has been confirmed in two breeds - miniature wirehaired
dachshunds and basset hounds. HealthGene Laboratory invites
breeders and pet owners to submit samples from purebreed
dogs with confirmed epilepsy. HealthGene will attempt to
identify the presence of the mutation in other breeds.
For more information, please contact us at 1-877-371-1551
or cpme-research@healthgene.com
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CANINE BLASTOMYCOSIS
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Blastomycosis is a serious fungal infection caused by the
pathogen Blastomyces dermatitidis. In nature, this organism
is present in two forms: a thread-like one that lives in
soil and forms spores, and a rounded, thick-walled yeast
form that lives inside the body. With regard to these two
forms, only the spores are infectious, and, when inhaled
infect the respiratory tract and usually cause pneumonia.
If undetected or untreated, the infection can spread to
other parts of
the body including joints, bones, and the nervous system.
Blastomyces dermatitidis can also enter the body through
open wounds causing skin infections.
Blastomyces grows as a mold in moist soil and has been reportedly widespread
in some areas of the United States and Canada. Even though
blastomycosis is not a reportable disease at the national
level, certain states require that cases of the disease
be reported to the state health officials. For example,
in Wisconsin there are approximately 50-60 reported human
cases, and probably 10 to 100 fold
more cases in dogs each year. Even these rates are likely
underestimated as many pet owners seek veterinary assistance
only when their dogs develop significant respiratory problems.
Currently, the diagnosis of blastomycosis is most frequently
based on analyzing clinical signs of suspicious animals.
Available serological tests based on antibody response are
not always reliable due to many false positive results,
especially if the animal lives in the area where blastomyces
dermatitidis is widespread. DNA technology offers the only
accurate and specific identification of the organism. This
type of testing also allows for very early detection of
the infection. Infected tissue, lung wash, and blood should
be submitted for DNA analysis.
While it is possible to cure the disease, the treatment is often
intensive and may be very long. Common antibiotics are ineffective
against fungal infections as these organisms have morphological
and biochemical characteristics far different from the bacteria.
The availability of the antifungal drugs is limited in number,
and
furthermore, its application should be carefully supervised
by a veterinarian because of possible hormonal disturbances
in the host animal. It is advisable to repeat a DNA test
in two weeks after the treatment to confirm the removal
of the infection.
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HealthGene offers lectures for kennel clubs in Ontario, Canada. For more information,
call 416-658-2040 or e-mail info@healthgene.com
If you would like to use any information available on www.healthgene.com
or in this bulletin for your club's newsletter, please contact
us by e-mail at info@healthgene.com
or by phone – 416-658-2040.
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