Overview
A number of test are available for the Cavapoo. Two or more of these tests purchased as part of this bundle will be discounted.
- Curly Coat Dry Eye Syndrome associated with the FAM83H gene
- Day Blindness/Retinal Degeneration (DB/RD)
- Degenerative Myelopathy associated with the SOD1 gene
- Episodic Falling associated with the BCAN gene
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy associated with the PRCD gene
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy associated with the RCD4 gene
- Von Willebrand Disease Type I associated with the VWD gene
Curly Coat Dry Eye Syndrome
Congenital keratoconjunctivitis sicca and ichthyosiform dermatosis (CKCSID) is more commonly referred to as ‘‘curly coat dry eye syndrome’’. The disease is congenital; puppies are born with an abnormally rough/curly coat and are usually smaller than littermates. Affected dogs have reduced production of aqueous tears (keratoconjuncitivits sicca commonly called “dry eye”), a tacky mucoid discharge around their eyes and ulceration of the cornea in severe cases. They also have persistent scaling of the skin (ichthyosiform dermatosis) causing them to scratch.
The disease is progressive and beings to affect footpads and teeth. It is difficult to manage, and many owners choose to euthanise affected dog’s due poor quality of life.
Day Blindness/Retinal Degeneration (DB/RD)
Day blindness, also known as achromatopsia, is characterised by a failure of cone cells in the retina to function properly. Cone cells are responsible for vision in bright light conditions and thus affected puppies have signs of poor vision in bright light but initially retain normal vision in low light levels.
Affected dogs lose vison in bright light conditions. However, unlike other forms of day blindness in other breeds, the DB/RD mutation eventually leads to a complete retinal degeneration and ultimately causes vision loss under all lighting conditions. Day blindness is present in puppyhood and general retinal degeneration develops around 4-5 years of age.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Important: Degenerative Myelopathy is a rare disease that presents most commonly in German Shepherd Dogs and Boxers, sporadically in Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Borzoi and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. It is rarely diagnosed in other breeds or mixed-breed dogs. DM is considered genetically complex and will have more than one contributing genetic variant. The variant targeted by this test is widespread and found in more than 120 breeds. However, association of the variant with the disease has only been shown in very few breeds and should never be used to inform breeding decisions, except where close relatives have been clinically diagnosed.
Canine degenerative myelopathy (previously also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. Most dogs are at least 8 years old before clinical become apparent. DM usually starts with a muscle weakness, loss of muscle and loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. Progression is generally quote slow, but dogs will eventually be crippled within approximately 3 years of the onset of disease.
Episodic Falling
Episodic Falling (EF) is a paroxysmal exertion-induced dyskinesia. It is usually exercise, excitement or stress-induced and episodes begin between three to seven months of age. EF is a disorder of the muscles that causes increased muscle tone and muscle spasticity (especially those of the limbs) resulting in limbs that appear “locked” in an extended position and dogs are unable to relax their muscles. This muscle spasticity results in a characteristic “praying” position and/or collapse. Episodes can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and dogs appear fully conscious throughout.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRCD)
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Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is the most common form of inherited disease affecting the retina in dogs. Genetically different forms of PRA, caused by mutations in different genes, affect many breeds of dog with each form usually affecting one or a small number of breeds. PRA is characterised by progressive degeneration of the retina at the back of the eye and leads to vision loss and blindness.
Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration (PRCD) is a form of PRA and was one of the first PRAs for which a genetic variant was identified. PRCD is different than most forms of PRA in that the variant has been found in a large number and diverse range of breeds.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD4)
The average age of onset of clinical signs is quite late, around 10 years, but can be anything between 5 and 12 years. In humans, mutations in PCARE are associated with a condition known as Retinitis Pigmentosa, symptoms of which include loss of peripheral vision and the ability to see at night. There is no cure for this form of PRA, but using the DNA test to identify dogs that carry the mutation in PCARE will prevent further spread of this blinding condition in this lovely breed.
Von Willebrand Disease Type I
Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by lack of von Willebrand factor protein (vWF). This protein circulates in the blood stream and must be present at the site of blood vessel injury in order to control bleeding from that vessel. Clinical signs of vWD ranged from mild to severe bleeding tendency.
There are three forms of vWD (types 1, 2 and 3) that are defined by the quantity and structure of VWF in the blood plasma. Type 1 is characterised by a low concentration of vWF, but it has a normal structure and clinical severity of the disease is variable. These dogs are unlikely to bleed spontaneously but may be prone to excessive bleeding when undergoing surgery or in injured.
