ISSR, INC. HEALTH SURVEY UPDATE 2001by Tina M. Barber PART III
In our last update we shared some sample (generic) trait worksheets, just to give you an idea of what we were working toward. Since Homecoming, we now have the complete reports prepared by Dr. Padgett, just for our dogs!! However, since George was only able to work with the facts that were presented to him (and they certainly paint a very close picture) I would like to go even deeper into the results, because I know about things that were NOT presented to him. After all, our main goal is to get as clear a picture of where we were (our past), where we are (our present), and where we are going (our future), so take some time to follow those titles as presented here. To begin with, during Homecoming Dr. Padgett presented us with an in-depth seminar that I feel everyone should watch! It is available on tape thanks to our friends Peter, Virginia and crew, the Canadian film makers ;-) The entire tape is 6 hours long and includes a lot more charts and information then I can possibly present here, but this should give you a small idea of what we have been working on over the past year! After explaining how these figures are tabulated (please see part 1 and 2 of our reports) he presented us with our own chart!!
GENETIC DISEASES AND GUESSTIMATED CARRIER
FREQUENCY
During this seminar, he also provided us with copies of some of the articles he had written for Dog World back in 1994. At the end of his four- part series he highly praised what he called the Trail-Blazing Breed Clubs, that were "deeply involved in educating their members about controlling, preventing or eliminating genetic disease"! Of course, by next year we hope to be added to that list ;-) Those of you that know me, should also be aware of the fact that I don’t like to do things "half way." Although the above chart has done a great job of documenting our situation as closely as data permitted, I know we can go above and beyond that!! When I set up the ISSR data collection system, the only thing I missed was a line for specific genetic diseases. We did list, randomly, things like SAS, Elbow dysplasia, Mega Esophagus, etc. but did not list each and every one of the things that have now been reported. Yes, we are planning to correct this oversight, by starting a collection data base on our VIB list, so that we can continue to collect this information via our Licensed Breeders, as well as working with the TCCP to possibly adjust our present system to also include this data, by adding another line of information!! During my "fireside" discussion with Dr. Padgett I showed him one of our TCCP pedigrees, and to say that he was impressed would be an understatement! <VBG> Now, let’s take another look at the chart listed above. This consists of all 3 groups (A – B – C) compiled together. That is why I felt it did not show an accurate picture of where we stand at this moment ;( I will explain below, but I do want you to read the chart carefully, and understand the MOST important part …(CF) Carrier Frequency. As per this chart, the statistics show that our dogs (for example) have a CF of 20.8% and that 1.4 pups (per 100 dogs) could be born with Subaortic Stenosis! Worse yet, if you combine all of the various heart defects, like Pulmonic Stenosis, etc. those figures rise drastically!! Just examine the chart and add up the numbers! Now, for the good news! Despite club splits,
politics, etc. I have been privately documenting SAS carefully, and have
narrowed the potential carriers down drastically! This is an advantage
that only a "breeder" can have, since they receive
"inside" info that is often not present any other way!
Although a few cases about which I was informed (via the splinters)
cannot be honestly documented, and have certainly NOT been added to the
above reports, nevertheless ... they too tell a story that we can use to
improve what we are doing for the future welfare of this breed! Also,
knowing some "inside" information that has never been made
public, has helped me to trace back the lines responsible for this
problem ... then following the incidence has enabled me to better close
in on the specific carriers! I feel strongly that within the next four
generations, we can completely eliminate SAS (as well as some of the
other diseases listed) from our entire gene pool! If you take some time to look at the charts listed below, you should note that in GROUP "A" (dogs that turned one year of age between ’91-92-93) we had a very Large percentage of Normals and only 28% Affected, compared to group B (dogs turning one year in ’94-95-96) and Group C (dogs turning 1 year in ’97-98-99) that only reported 18% and 19% Normals, respectively ;( Another thing that you should also note is that we had much better ‘co-operation’ in group A (the old timers ;-) than we did in group B (riddled with splinters) while Group C seems to be "coming back" home to provide data! This is a good trend, because I honestly feel that by the time we are ready to release data from Group D, things will look much better again ;-)
OUR PRESENT Now take a moment to look at the next 3 charts that actually list the diseases reported! You may notice that it appears as if genetic diseases are becoming more prevalent since additional diseases are being added to the pie ... but in reality, many of the dogs that have been producing these problems have already gone "over" to the splinters and will NOT be effecting our gene pool any longer!! Nevertheless, if we are not careful, we could be looking at charts that are MUCH worse than these!! So please take some time to ponder the individual groups, as you keep in mind that many of those that should have submitted their information to this study did NOT do so ;(
OUR FUTURE: Now that we have spent nearly 2 years researching and working with these formulas, we are all confident that we can improve our odds drastically. The next survey, of dogs turning 1 year between 2000 – 2001 and 2002 will tell us how good of a job we have done. But I would like to give all of you my prediction, based on several facts, listed below.
B) Now if you take some time to look at the Matador chart listed below, you can note that we have been very busy adding "New Blood" to our gene pool in order to offset some of the above problems! As of this time Artus has sired a total of 14 litters, and his son Zorro has already produced 10!! Orbit has also produced a fantastic litter that has just turned one year of age, and one of his sons has already been bred, with more waiting their turns!! This influx of FRESH blood will certainly help to clean up the "pollution" that has been created by previous over inbreeding practices!
Click on the chart to view in greater detail.
Together .. united in our goals to produce the best dogs we possibly can, so that we can expand this gene pool and preserve this breed for generations to come .. WE SHALL SUCCEED!!! But we also need YOUR help!! If your dog is over one year of age, and falls into the Group D category, don’t wait .. send in your survey report now!! If you can’t download a copy, call a member of the Genetic Task Force, and I am sure they will be happy to send you one ;-) If we all do our part, we CAN greatly reduce the incidence of Genetic Diseases in our dogs!!! Thanks again to our Genetic Task Force! Pam DymondWeed
One of the original members of the Genetic Task Force, Mynde Bunker, passed away on Oct. 3, 2002. She will be greatly missed.
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