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Hybrid Vigour
"Hybrid Vigour" is thought to occur because the
occurrence of many
genetic
diseases
are dramatically reduced in the first generation.
This is because
both parents
have to have the disease or
carry
the
gene for that disease in order for their puppies
to be
affected
by
it. It's vitally important to recognise that an
F1 (Labrador x Poodle) puppy may still be a
carrier for a
disease, but not outwardly show it.
However, if
there is a shared gene for a genetic disease,
which present in both parent breeds, even an F1
puppy can be affected.
Where we know that a
disease-causing gene is present in both parent
breeds we have coloured the disease in red text,
in the following
table. These tests are vital and those dogs that
fail them should be castrated or spayed -
certainly never used as breeding stock!
In the second and subsequent generations, all
the offspring can show any of the diseases that
their ancestors were susceptible to ... It is
therefore vital that any F2 or higher (multigen)
breeding stock is fully
health checked.
As you all know, Labradoodles are the
intentional cross between a Labrador and a
Poodle. What you may not have realised is that
in an F1 cross either
the
Standard Poodle or the Miniature
Poodle may be used. In the F2 generation all
three breeds could be present!
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What do the various health tests mean? The health tests that are
carried out by responsible breeders are done to
preserve offspring and of course to minimise any
suffering to an adult dog. Some health tests
such as some forms of PRA can be tested for soon
after a puppy is born and the result lasts for
life. Other tests are carried out once a dog
reaches maturity at one year of age such as the
Hip and Elbow tests, which also are
one-time-only tests lasting for a dog’s
lifetime.
Health Tests By Breed
* At least one parent must be Optigen tested as being an A = Normal/Clear so that he or she can be bred to any dog without producing the PRCD form of PRA Please note that the red text indicates a shared genetic fault on both sides and therefore it is vitally important that these tests are done!
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Hip/Elbows
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PRA Pro Retinal Atrophy This is an inherited disease which can affect Labradors, Poodles and therefore the Labradoodle - other breeds of dogs also can inherit the disease. There is a DNA based test for the gene mutation and this enables accurate identification of clear, carrier and affected animals.
Symptoms can include loss
of night vision, especially when the dog is
disorientated or in unfamiliar surroundings, and
the condition progresses to produce a loss of
vision under all lighting conditions. |
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Von Willebrands
Disease
Von Willebrand's Disease is a common inherited leeding disorder. Clotting is a complex mechanism. In addition to platelets, clot formation is the result of a long chain of chemical reactions carried out by individual molecules called 'clotting factors.' Each factor is numbered such that factor I leads to a reaction with factor II forming a new substance. This then reacts with factor III and so on to factor XII.
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Coat Color VetGen DNA CHROMAGENE Coat Colour Testing For many years geneticists and breeders have been aware of several "loci" that are responsible for the colour patterns we see in dogs and other mammals. Each of these loci are known to be responsible for one or more traits either independently, or in conjunction with another locus. All of them act on the pathways that produce the two major pigments, phaeomelanin and eumelanin, or affect the distribution of those pigments. The familiar examples are B (brown), E (extension), D (dilution), A (agouti), M (merle), C (chinchilla) and so on. Over the past several years, scientists at VetGen and elsewhere have determined the actual genes associated with many of these loci, and identified the mutations responsible for the different versions (alleles) of these genes. Due to the complex interactions of these genes, it is possible for dogs to carry hidden colours. The fruit of this work are the tests available for many of the common coat colours and traits.
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Thyroid Test
A thyroid test is a blood test to evaluate the function of the thyroid gland. This gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormone, an important hormone in the regulation and maintenance of body functions. A thyroid test is indicated in any ill animal. Normal animals, especially the elderly, will benefit from thyroid test results and this test is often used as a screening test for underlying illness or disease. Normal results help determine health or exclude certain diseases. There are no real contraindications to performing this test but care should be taken if the animal has a tendency toward excessive bleeding. After obtaining the sample, extra care should be taken to make sure there is no haemorrhaging from the site where the sample was obtained. What Does a Thyroid Test Reveal?
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Vaccine Titre
Testing An Alternative to Revaccination The routine use of vaccines has contributed dramatically to a reduction in many serious illnesses in animals. In recent years, however, a debate has emerged about the need of mandatory annual vaccination. Issues of concern include vaccine efficacy, duration of immunity, and the risks of adverse side effects such as liver disease, seizures and injection-site fibrosarcoma in cats. There have been several studies involving viral diseases that indicate immunity persists in the majority of animals for at least 3 to 5 years, and likely longer, after the initial vaccination series given to a puppy or kitten. Vaccine titre tests provide an alternative for pet owners who have concerns regarding the potential for adverse side effects associated with annual vaccination. Vaccine titres determine the need for revaccination in healthy pets. A simple blood test allows serum antibody titres to be measured in dogs and cats. This provides a way of establishing whether an animal has had an adequate antibody response to a specific disease agent. Interpretation of a Vaccine Titre Some clinics offers testing for the following titres: Canine Distemper Canine Parvovirus Canine Distemper & Parvovirus Feline Panleukopenia In general, a titre of 1:5 or greater, in a pet without clinical signs of disease, indicates there's been an immunological response to vaccination, and revaccination may be unnecessary. A titre of less than 1:5 indicates poor immunological response to vaccination, and revaccination should be considered, unless the pet has a history for adverse vaccine reactions. Please note that like a vaccination, an adequate titre does not guarantee protection, but is only an indication of immunological memory response. We recommend having a vaccine titre test done annually.
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