Overview
A number of tests are available for the Cockapoo (English). Two or more of these tests purchased as part of this bundle will be discounted.
- Acral Mutilation Syndrome (GDNF-type)
- Degenerative Myelopathy associated with the SOD1 gene
- Familial Nephropathy associated with the COL4A4 gene
- Paradoxical pseudomyotonia associated with the SLC7A10 gene
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy associated with the PRCD gene
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy associated with the RCD4 gene
- Retinal Dysplasia associated with the NDP gene
- Von Willebrand Disease Type I associated with the VWD gene
Acral Mutilation Syndrome (GDNF-type)
Acral mutilation syndrome is a rare condition in some sporting dogs breeds. The hallmarks of the disease are loss of pain sensation, which results in dogs slowly but progressively over-grooming (licking) or biting their pads and paws leading to bleeding and ulceration. This in turn leads to bacterial and fungal infections and in many cases ulcers. Symptoms naturally occur in puppies around 4 months old.
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.
Familial Nephropathy
Familial Nephropathy (Cocker Type), is a hereditary kidney disorder that affects Cocker Spaniels and related breeds. This condition leads to the progressive and ultimately fatal deterioration of the kidneys. Dogs with FN typically develop chronic renal failure between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, resulting in the destruction of both kidneys.
The first signs of FN include increased water consumption, changes in growth rate or weight loss, reduced appetite, weakness, fatigue and vomiting. In affected dogs, there is a defect that allows protein from the blood to be filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, leading to abnormal levels of protein in the urine, usually detectable between 4-6 months of age. Subsequently, symptoms of chronic kidney disease manifest a few months after the presence of excessive protein in the urine is observed. Sadly, affected dogs typically succumb to chronic kidney failure by the age of one to two years.
Paradoxical pseudomyotonia
Paradoxical pseudomyotonia is a muscular disorder characterised by exercise-induced generalised myotonic-like episodes of variable severity – muscles take longer to relax (remain stiff) after voluntary contraction. When having an episode dogs experience the sudden onset of muscle stiffness, causing them look like they are “running in a computer game”, get “stuck” while climbing or performing small jumps. Signs of the condition are first observed between three months and 2 years of age. Episodes vary in frequency but can occur up to 15 times per day in some cases. They usually last for a few minutes and resolve with rest. Severity and frequency tend to remain stable or decrease with age, and episodes can be decreased or eliminated by avoiding triggers (usually strenuous exercise).
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.
Retinal Dysplasia
Retinal dysplasia (RD) is caused by abnormal development of the layer of cells at the back of the eye, the retina, which means that an affected dog’s vision can be affected from when the eyes first open. It has been described in multiple dog breeds and can be subdivided into focal, multifocal, geographic and total retinal dysplasia types. Total RD has been identified in English Cocker Spaniels.
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.
