This publication is important because the author sites reasons that have
impeded progress towards the elimination of renal disease.
"Breeder/owner factors
(a) In the past, some breeders have been reluctant to disclose possible
problems for fear of losing their reputation, reducing puppy sales and
alienation from the breed society. However, persistence in this attitude
eventually has the same effects, for the very reason they wished to
conceal. By this time the disease has become more widely disseminated.
(b) Simple kidney function tests do not reveal the presence of renal
failure until it is fairly advanced and clinical signs may not develop
until the animal is over six months of age. Therefore, in most cases,
affected animals are not recognised until after dispersal and are only
identified when the disease is relatively far advanced.
(c) It is much more difficult to monitor a disease once litters have
been dispersed. Even when breeders make strenuous efforts to follow-up
their puppies they are not always successful. Owners move house without
trace; puppies change hands without the knowledge of the breeder; and
animals die or are euthanased for a variety of reasons unconnected with
the disease in question, but their kidneys are not made available for
examination. Moreover, even when renal failure is recognised, an owner
may be far less motivated than the breeder to suffer the additional
stress and expense of a post mortem examination, so valuable information
is lost.
Other factors sited in this article include:
Animal factors
(a) In the diseases described, to date, carriers cannot be identified
unless affected offspring are produced.
(b) Simple kidney function tests do not reveal the presence of renal
failure until it is fairly advanced and clinical signs may not develop
until the animal is over six months of age. Therefore, in most cases,
affected animals are not recognised until after dispersal and are only
identified when the disease is relatively far advanced.
(c) Renal failure may be due to a variety of underlying causes and not
every animal with renal failure, however young, is necessarily affected
by the familial problem in that particular breed, thus underlining the
need for detailed investigations, including post mortem
examinations, both to confirm the suspected renal failure
Veterinary factors
(a) Breeders should inform their veterinary surgeon of the problem as it
is likely that information will be available through breed society
communications long before it reaches the veterinary literature. Even
then, there is no guarantee that individual veterinary surgeons will
read it or retain the information if they do.
(b) Breeders should encourage their veterinary surgeons to find out what
tests can be done and where to send material for testing. Reliance on
results from practice and commercial laboratories may not assist the
central collation of data.
(c) Breeders should encourage purchasers of puppies to ensure that their
veterinary surgeon is aware of the problem and adequately informed as to
diagnostic and database services available. It will only be as the links
already established between dog breeders, owners, veterinary surgeons
and geneticists are maintained and strengthened that there can be any
hope for eventual control and possible eradication of these conditions.
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