Overview
A number of tests are available for the Irish Red and White Setter. Two or more of these tests purchased as part of this bundle will be discounted.
- Degenerative Myelopathy associated with the SOD1 gene
- Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type I associated with the ITGB2 gene
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD4-type) associated with the PCARE gene
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD1 type) associated with the PDE6B gene
- Von Willebrand Disease Type I associated with the VWD gene
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.
Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type I
Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD) is an immunodeficiency disorder in dogs, caused by a defect of the white blood cells (leucoctyes). This defect means that the immune system cannot respond appropriately to infections. The disease is characterised by severe, recurrent bacterial infections. The first signs of CLAD DNA test at Canine Genetic Testing appear in puppies, around the age of 13 weeks. Signs include recurrent infections, fever, poor appetite, poor growth, impaired would healing and enlarged lymph nodes. Clinical signs progress and affected dogs generally die by the age of six months.
This form of the disease has been identified in Iris Setters, Irish Red and White Setters and cross breed dogs.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD4-type)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is the most common form of inherited disease affecting the retina in dogs; the retina detects light and sends images to the brain. Progressive degeneration of the retina at the back of the eye is characteristic of PRA and leads to vision loss and blindness. PRA is not painful to dogs, and the first signs of the disease tend to be bumping in to objects, such as a piece of furniture that has been moved. Mutations in different genes cause genetically different forms of PRA. It affects many different breeds of dog , but each genetically distinct form usually affects one or a small number of breeds.
This form of progressive retinal atrophy in the Irish setter is caused by a mutation in a gene called PCARE (previously known as C2ORF71) and is indistinguishable from other forms of PRA in other breeds. It is also found in a number of other breeds. 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.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD1 type)
This specific form of PRA is caused by a mutation in a gene called PDE6B and is indistinguishable from other forms of PRA in other breeds. The average age of onset of clinical signs is very early, around one month, and by 5 months of ages dogs are completely blind. In humans, mutations in PDE6B are associated with a condition known as Retinitis Pigmentosa and congenital stationary night blindness, 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 PDE6B 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.
