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An inevitable consequence of breeding is the occurrence of genetic
problems. No one wants to produce affected dogs, yet some breeders
and owners are quick to assign blame. There are no perfect dogs,
and all dogs carry some detrimental genes.
The emotional reaction to producing a dog with a genetic disorder
often follows what is called the grief cycle:
- Denial: This isn’t genetic. It was caused by something else.
- Anger: This isn’t right! Why is this happening to my dogs?
- Bargaining: My dog sired more than 100 other dogs that are
healthy. So this one doesn’t really count, right?
- Depression: My kennel name is ruined. No one will breed to my
dogs.
- And, finally, acceptance: My dog was dealt a bad genetic hand.
There are ways to manage genetic disorders, breed away from this,
and work toward a healthier breed.
Getting beyond denial
Unfortunately, many breeders can’t get beyond the denial stage.
Some will hold to increasingly improbable excuses, rather than
accept that a condition is genetic. They will falsely blame
relatively rare disorders on common viruses, bacteria, or
medications. The fact that these organisms or drugs are common to
millions of dogs annually that do not have these disorders is not
considered.
Some owners state that their veterinarian recommended not sending
in a hip radiograph because the dog would probably not get
certified. Then these owners lull themselves into believing that
since the dog wasn’t evaluated, it does not have hip dysplasia.
The fact that a dog does not have an official diagnosis does not
mean the dog is normal or “not affected.”
Reducing the stigma of genetic disease involves raising the
level of conversation from gossip to constructive communication.
Dealing with genetic disorders is a community effort.
It is important to confirm diagnoses of genetic disorders with
blood tests, radiographs, or pathology specimens. However, the
primary concern should always be for the individual dog. If an
affected dog is not suffering, it should not be euthanized simply
to obtain a pathological diagnosis. The increased availability of
non-invasive techniques has made diagnoses easier to obtain.
Once confirmation of a genetic disorder is made, denial sometimes
becomes deception, which is not acceptable. There are breeders who
actively seek to prevent diagnoses and later necropsies, but who
eventually realize that their actions are detrimental to their
breed, and in the long run to themselves.
Working together to improve our breeds
Reducing the stigma of genetic disease involves raising the level
of conversation from gossip to constructive communication. Dealing
with genetic disorders is a community effort. Each breeder and
owner will have a different level of risk or involvement for a
disorder. We do not get to choose the problems we have to deal
with. Breeders should be supportive of others who are making a
conscientious effort to continue breeding their dogs while
decreasing the risk of passing on defective genes.
Breeders ought to follow up on the puppies they have placed. They
should periodically contact their buyers and ask about the health
of the dogs. Some breeders fear they will be castigated if a dog
they placed develops a problem. However, the vast majority of
owners of affected dogs are pleased that their breeder is
interested in their dog, and in improving the health of the breed
so that other affected dogs are not produced.
A breeder cannot predict or prevent every health problem. If an
owner’s dog is discovered to have a problem, show your concern.
Breeders and breed clubs should be cooperative and supportive of
researchers studying genetic disorders in their breed. Through
research funded by breed clubs and by the AKC Canine Health
Foundation (CHF), new genetic tests for carriers of defective
genes are continually being developed.
The Canine Health Information Center (www.caninehealthinfo.org)
was established by the CHF and the Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals. CHIC is an online registry that works with the breed
parent clubs to establish a panel of testable genetic disorders
that should be screened for in each breed.
The beauty of the CHIC concept is that dogs achieve CHIC
certification by completing the health-checks. Passing each health
test is not a requirement for certification. CHIC is about being
health conscious, not about being faultless.
My hope for each breed is that there will eventually be so many
testable defective genes that it will not be possible for any dog
to be considered “perfect.” Then we can put emotions aside and all
work together on improving our breeds.
Breeders must lead the way to remove the stigma of genetic
disorders. The applications for both the OFA and CHIC health
registries include options that allow for open disclosure of all
healthtest results or semi-open disclosure listing only normal
results. It is up to breeders to show that we are ready to move
genetic disorders out of the shadows and check off the boxes for
full disclosure.
More national clubs are having health seminars and screening
clinics at their specialties. It was thought these events would
scare away potential owners. We now know that without addressing
the problems, in the long run, the breed may not be there for the
owners.
This article can be reprinted with the permission of the author:
jerold.bell@tufts.edu
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