Genetics
The Foundation in Canine Healthcare programme examines how your dog’s genes can affect his health, and also how husbandry can impact upon genetic inheritance. We also look at the ways in which we can reduce the effect of genetic faults.
We are all of us genetically defective in some way. In human families, some are predisposed to cancer, others to allergies, others to nervous conditions, and others to specific genetically-inherited diseases such a sickle cell anaemia or thyroid disease. The same applies to the canine world.
At a breed level, German Shepherds are known to have poor immune systems; Golden Retrievers are genetically pre-disposed to allergies and tumours; Shelties are genetically predisposed to be nervous; West Highland Terriers are predisposed to atopic dermatitis (inherited skin problems); Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known to suffer from heart conditions; Flat Coats are known as the ‘cancer dog’; Rottweilers suffer from neurological conditions . . . and so on.
Certain breeds of dogs tend to have increased susceptibility to specific diseases. Clearly, not every dog at risk for a disease actually develops the problem. Other factors in the environment probably play a role in the development of disease, and sometimes nutrition might influence this process.
More than 200 congenital or genetic disorders have been reported in dogs. Some of these affect the way the body processes nutrients. One example is inherited vitamin B12 deficiency (methymalonic aciduria), which is treated by injections of the vitamin. Other genetic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and copper storage disease, are treated with a combination of drugs and diet.
Cutting edge scientific research has been conducted at Purdue University, under the direction of Larry Glickman, VDM, PhD and his associate Dr. Harm HogenEsch. The study proposal was to investigate the autoimmune responses to vaccines in dogs. The study has produced some dramatic results, with concrete and clear evidence that there are adverse events elicited as a result of the use of vaccines following manufacturer’s recommendations.
In Dr. LaRosa’s (Trustee of the Hayward Foundation) article, he states that a number of autoantibodies to several critical proteins and DNA were identified in the vaccinated group. Identifying these autoimmune antibodies, and monitoring their titres may lead, in addition to the thyroiditis conditions, a better understanding of the role of vaccines in soliciting adverse events that contribute to so-called genetic conditions.
The Foundation in Canine Healthcare programme examines how your dog’s genes can affect his health, and also how husbandry can impact upon genetic inheritance. We also look at the ways in which we can reduce the effect of genetic faults.
We are all of us genetically defective in some way. In human families, some are predisposed to cancer, others to allergies, others to nervous conditions, and others to specific genetically-inherited diseases such a sickle cell anaemia or thyroid disease. The same applies to the canine world.
At a breed level, German Shepherds are known to have poor immune systems; Golden Retrievers are genetically pre-disposed to allergies and tumours; Shelties are genetically predisposed to be nervous; West Highland Terriers are predisposed to atopic dermatitis (inherited skin problems); Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known to suffer from heart conditions; Flat Coats are known as the ‘cancer dog’; Rottweilers suffer from neurological conditions . . . and so on.
Certain breeds of dogs tend to have increased susceptibility to specific diseases. Clearly, not every dog at risk for a disease actually develops the problem. Other factors in the environment probably play a role in the development of disease, and sometimes nutrition might influence this process.
More than 200 congenital or genetic disorders have been reported in dogs. Some of these affect the way the body processes nutrients. One example is inherited vitamin B12 deficiency (methymalonic aciduria), which is treated by injections of the vitamin. Other genetic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and copper storage disease, are treated with a combination of drugs and diet.
Cutting edge scientific research has been conducted at Purdue University, under the direction of Larry Glickman, VDM, PhD and his associate Dr. Harm HogenEsch. The study proposal was to investigate the autoimmune responses to vaccines in dogs. The study has produced some dramatic results, with concrete and clear evidence that there are adverse events elicited as a result of the use of vaccines following manufacturer’s recommendations.
In Dr. LaRosa’s (Trustee of the Hayward Foundation) article, he states that a number of autoantibodies to several critical proteins and DNA were identified in the vaccinated group. Identifying these autoimmune antibodies, and monitoring their titres may lead, in addition to the thyroiditis conditions, a better understanding of the role of vaccines in soliciting adverse events that contribute to so-called genetic conditions.