Overview
A number of test are available for the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. Two or more of these tests purchased as part of this bundle will be discounted.
- Degenerative Myelopathy associated with the SOD1 gene
- Exercise Induced Collapse associated with the DNM1 gene
- Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy associated with the CNTNAP1 gene
- Macular Corneal Dystrophy associated with the CHST6 gene
- Obesity and food motivation associated with the POMC gene
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy associated with the SLC4A3 gene (also known as PRA1)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy associated with the TTC8 gene (also known as PRA2)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy associated with the PRCD gene
- Stargardt Disease associated with the ABCA4 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.
Exercise Induced Collapse
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) is an inherited condition that primarily affects Labrador Retrievers and their related breeds – mainly Labrador crosses. The variant responsible has also been found in other breeds, including Curly-coated Retrievers, Boykin spaniels and Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The signs of EIC typically become noticeable when dogs undergo rigorous training. The initial symptoms usually manifest between the ages of 5 months and 3 years, although there have been cases where affected dogs didn’t experience collapse episodes until as late as age 10. Dogs with this condition can tolerate mild to moderate exercise, but after engaging in heavy exercise for a duration of 5 to 20 minutes, they experience weakness and collapse. While some dogs may only exhibit collapse episodes sporadically, severely affected dogs can collapse whenever they are exercised to this extent. The condition can be exacerbated by excitement and high temperatures.
Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy
Laryngeal paralysis and Polyneuropathy (LPPN) in an inherited neuropathy in dogs. Laryngeal paralysis (LP) results in loss of function of the larynx leads to breathing difficulties, reduced exercise and heat tolerance, and increased risk aspiration pneumonia. In addition, atrophy of laryngeal muscles and the decreased movement of the attendant laryngeal cartilages result in the airway remaining open during swallowing of food and water. Laryngeal paralysis is often reported as part of a more generalized length-dependent polyneuropathy (PN), which manifests with additional signs that include proprioceptive and motor abnormalities, slowly progressing pelvic limb weakness, and loss of limb muscle mass.
Macular Corneal Dystrophy
Macular Corneal Dystrophy is an inherited and progressive eye disease. Initial clinical signs are cloudy corneas and/or visual impairment, first observed between four and six years of age. In addition, white/grey opacities are also observed. The cloudiness and opacities are caused by an abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the cornea. MCD is progressive; as the density of the corneal haze increases, increased vascularization is observed and vision is increasingly impaired.
Obesity and food motivation
In developed countries the rate of canine obesity ranges between 34% and 59%. Obesity is associated with reduced lifespan and several other comorbidities, as it is in humans. Labrador retrievers have among the highest prevalence of obesity and are particularly food motivated. The POMC gene is known to be important in regulating how the brain recognises hunger and the feeling of being full after a meal. A variant in the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene has been associated with increased body weight, adiposity (body fat) and food motivation in Labrador and Flat-coat retrievers.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA1)
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. At least two genetically distinct forms of progressive retinal atrophy are found in Golden Retrievers. Research suggests that there may be at least one form that has not yet been identified.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (SLC4A3-type)
This specific form of PRA (also known as PRA1) is caused by a mutation in a gene called SLC4A3 and is indistinguishable from other forms of PRA in other breeds. The average age of onset of clinical signs is quite late, around 6 years, but can be variable.
Progressive retinal atrophy (TTC8-type)
A mutation in a gene called TTC8 causes this specific form of PRA (also known as PRA2). In humans TTC8 is also known as BBS8 and is associated with Bardet Biedl Syndrome and with non-syndromic Retinitis Pigmentosa. PRA is the primary feature in dogs homozygous with the mutation in TTC8, but they can also present with other characteristic such as obesity, renal anomalies, sperm defects and anosmia. The average age of onset of ophthalmic clinical signs is around 5 years, but can be variable.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRCD type)
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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.
Stargardt Disease
Stargart disease is an inherited eye disease that affects dogs, primarily Labrador Retrievers. Onset of significant clinical signs is late in life, with affected dogs presenting with observable visual problems around 10 years of age. As with other retinal degenerations, such as progressive retinal atrophy, Stargardt disease is characterised by the degeneration of the rod and cone photoreceptor cells of the retina. Dog therefore experience visual deficits in bright and low light conditions. It is a progressive disease and symptoms will get worse as the dog ages.
