BRACHYCEPHALIC OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY SYNDROME RESEARCH PROGRAM
Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding
The DAC advice on brachycephalic airway syndrome is as follows:
Short term:
1. Stop breeding from dogs with exaggerated/extreme conformational defects and do not breed from a sire and dam that share the same gross exaggeration;
2. Ensure that dogs with exaggerated conformational defects cannot be shown;
Intermediate term:
3. Promote gathering of data using tested research methods to generate an evidence base that will allow legitimate anatomical conformational limits to be recommended
4. Define healthy conformational limits using scientific data.
5. Make breed standards conform to healthy conformational limits.
6. Require judicious outcrossing programmes to restore some brachycephalic breeds to a phenotype that is truly fit for life.
The DAC advice on brachycephalic airway syndrome is as follows:
Short term:
1. Stop breeding from dogs with exaggerated/extreme conformational defects and do not breed from a sire and dam that share the same gross exaggeration;
2. Ensure that dogs with exaggerated conformational defects cannot be shown;
Intermediate term:
3. Promote gathering of data using tested research methods to generate an evidence base that will allow legitimate anatomical conformational limits to be recommended
4. Define healthy conformational limits using scientific data.
5. Make breed standards conform to healthy conformational limits.
6. Require judicious outcrossing programmes to restore some brachycephalic breeds to a phenotype that is truly fit for life.
SPINAL THERMAL IMAGING STUDY/RESEARCH
The FBCE initiated a study into the potential value of using Thermal Imaging to assess the health of French Bulldog’s spines and hips. This followed discussions with Veterinary Thermal Imaging UK. A small-scale pilot study was conducted in October 2012 in which 20 dogs were thermally imaged. Of these 20 dogs, 7 showed
increased thermal readings along the dorsal line.
A further robust study will commence this year in October at the Open Show. This study seeks to extend this preliminary work to a statistically significant population (imaging of 200 subjects is recommended) to ensure repeatability and accuracy of findings, in addition to determining the best practice screening protocol for thermal imaging.
French Bulldogs are predisposed to various congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae. These abnormalities are traditionally identified via X-ray and MRI screening, both of which are invasive and costly for the owner. There is a desire to reduce incidences of these conditions through screening breeding animals, to try to eliminate genetic factors .We hope the study may be able to identify the differences between healthy and unhealthy backs. If the study proves successful, it may provide us with a way of identifying “at risk” dogs and therefore influence whether or not they should be used in breeding programes.
Spinal Problems in Frenchies also include degenerative Spinal Mylophathy:
We hope to collect DNA samples from dogs taking part in the Thermal Imaging project for possible DNA research in the future. This DNA will be banked. We will need to explore the cost involved
The FBCE initiated a study into the potential value of using Thermal Imaging to assess the health of French Bulldog’s spines and hips. This followed discussions with Veterinary Thermal Imaging UK. A small-scale pilot study was conducted in October 2012 in which 20 dogs were thermally imaged. Of these 20 dogs, 7 showed
increased thermal readings along the dorsal line.
A further robust study will commence this year in October at the Open Show. This study seeks to extend this preliminary work to a statistically significant population (imaging of 200 subjects is recommended) to ensure repeatability and accuracy of findings, in addition to determining the best practice screening protocol for thermal imaging.
French Bulldogs are predisposed to various congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae. These abnormalities are traditionally identified via X-ray and MRI screening, both of which are invasive and costly for the owner. There is a desire to reduce incidences of these conditions through screening breeding animals, to try to eliminate genetic factors .We hope the study may be able to identify the differences between healthy and unhealthy backs. If the study proves successful, it may provide us with a way of identifying “at risk” dogs and therefore influence whether or not they should be used in breeding programes.
Spinal Problems in Frenchies also include degenerative Spinal Mylophathy:
We hope to collect DNA samples from dogs taking part in the Thermal Imaging project for possible DNA research in the future. This DNA will be banked. We will need to explore the cost involved
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Watch a recording of a webinair on spinal discs problems here
http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/recordings/risky-discs/ |
CLICK HERE TO READ
"THE HEATH REPORT FOR 2012 & PLANS FOR 2013" |