DNA test for Episodic Falling in Cavaliers

[mark ellis]

I seem to have failed myself here. I thought I posted this a while ago, so apologise for that

The Animal Health Trust have developed a DNA test for the genetic conditions of Episodic Falling and also for Dry Eye and Curly Coat in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

The Animal Health Trust’s website is www.aht.org.uk


The Animal Health Trust DNA Genetic tests web page is here http://www.aht.org.uk/cms-display/dna-testing.html

The Episodic Falling, Curly Coat and Dry Eye information is here  http://www.aht.org.uk/cms-display/genetics_curleycoat.html

Both of these tests will provide you with serial numbered test certificates, which is more than can be said for the current heart and eye certificates.

[little brambles]

Thank you for the link.

I've just adopted an ex breeding Cav called Tilly. I'm keen to learn about some of the dreadful health issues these lovely dogs are plagued with.

I am wondering if Tilly has a mild form of EFS as she has shown to do some strange stiffening of her back leg but it's early days yet and when she's settled a little more we'll be popping in to introduce her to our vet.

Of course i hope she hasn't but it makes me sad that she has been used for breeding and may well have passed it onto her pups.

[mark ellis]

Please, please order an EF genetic DNA test from aht.org.uk. It only costs £48.00

Get your vet to take the two swabs (to positively identify the dog and its microchip to the result) and then post the swabs back to AHT. Whilst it takes a while for the kits to arrive, you will get the results back within days. The Lab technician emailed the certificates to me as PDF's.
It is probable that your vet will not know anything about EF. Alfie has had EF since 2007 but I have only recently been able to confirm it with the DNA test.

If you know who the breeder is then you can write to them advising that their breeding stock has EF. If they test all their stock then they can remove the condition entirely from their stock

For advice and discussions on health issues please take a look at Cavalier Chat.
http://www.cavaliers.co.uk/forums/  Whilst a number of them are breeders they do have years of health experience and years of looking after cavaliers.

Alfie has a mild case of EF, and so long as I don’t let him get over excited then he is absolutely fine. But I know of other people whose dogs are on medication for this condition

[little brambles]

Thanks for the concern.

I'm unsure whether getting her tested would be of any benefit really. I have taken her on from a rescue and as far as I'm aware she came from a puppy farm so have no idea exactly where or whom. That information of course is always confidential, which I respect, it allows the rescue to do what they have to do.

I will discuss it with the rescue to see if they are in a position to pass on that information back to the breeder if indeed she should prove positive. I wouldn't want to jeopardise any of their future rescue work of course.

I'm fortunate to have a most marvellous vet too and I know he would be only too happy to assist with this, so that's another avenue to explore.

Tilly is settling in right now and it's important to me that we give her time to be herself. I'll take a look at the cav site too, so thanks for the link to that.

Cheers 

[mark ellis]

It's not concern for your dog so much. This DNA test is rather new and gives a golden opportunity to get puppy farmers to test their stock and bring a very quick end to the conditions of Episodic Falling and Dry Eye/Curly Coat. To rid the breed of these conditions would be absolutly wonderous.

Condition of puppies with Dry Eye / Curly Coat can be so bad that the puppies are PTS shortly after birth to stop the suffering.

Here's some more info on EF for you  http://episodicfalling.com/