Ichthyosis in Goldens

[hotel4dogs]

So very, very well said.

SO TRUE along with BREEDERS UNDERSTANDING GENETICS.
The DNA tests for Ichthyosis, PRA, etc are not about culling dogs from breeding programs! It is about KNOWING WHAT YOU HAVE."Old Trigger sometimes had dandruff, he won a million Opens though and was a great dog, if we knew about DNA tests back then we probably wouldn't have bred him, good thing we didn't know!"
That's NOT THE POINT of the DNA tests!
If you KNOW what old Trigger's status is, regardless of genotype you can breed him, you just have the KNOWLEDGE and POWER to never produce another AFFECTED dog again!

[John Robinson]

SO TRUE along with BREEDERS UNDERSTANDING GENETICS.
The DNA tests for Ichthyosis, PRA, etc are not about culling dogs from breeding programs! It is about KNOWING WHAT YOU HAVE.
"Old Trigger sometimes had dandruff, he won a million Opens though and was a great dog, if we knew about DNA tests back then we probably wouldn't have bred him, good thing we didn't know!"
That's NOT THE POINT of the DNA tests!
If you KNOW what old Trigger's status is, regardless of genotype you can breed him, you just have the KNOWLEDGE and POWER to never produce another AFFECTED dog again!

Isn't it? Pandora's box has been opened and there is no going back, I think the point some are making is the question of "would we have bred some of these wonderful dogs such as Trigger and my Yoda if we knew up front they could well be affected?" I realize having the knowledge DNA provides doesn't preculude you from going ahead with the breeding regardless, but I believe that those breedings will become less likely. Whether that is a good thing or bad thing is thup for debate.

John

[Sue Kiefer]

John,
While yes Pandora's box is open..............
I think that with the knowledge that we have now and the wonderful technology that will continue to be available to us in the future will help us make better decisions with breeding our Goldens.
I can't look into the past. Would I have bred to so and so knowing what I know now?
I look at some of the great ones now I think OMG would I love to have one of his puppies now.
Would I?, knowing what I know now. Yes.
John,
You will always have some folks that point fingers and sigh and make large comments about so and so's dog having this or that genetic disease and thank their lucky stars they didn't take a puppy or breed to that dog.
As I get older I laugh at the stupidity of it all and thank my lucky stars that I'm NOT that shallow.
Sue

[Gerry Clinchy]

I realize having the knowledge DNA provides doesn't preculude you from going ahead with the breeding regardless, but I believe that those breedings will become less likely.

It is up to those who understand to continue to educate those who may not be clear on this. We will have more tests in the future, not less ... we really must use the tools wisely and keep the gene pool diverse.

It's daunting to us right now because we are the "first generation" to have these tools. It is also going to be up to us to make sure we keep educating the next generation.

Sue also raises a good point, the more of us who share the information we gather openly, the more it encourages others to do the same. With the forthright data, we can all benefit.

[John Robinson]

It is up to those who understand to continue to educate those who may not be clear on this. We will have more tests in the future, not less ... we really must use the tools wisely and keep the gene pool diverse.

It's daunting to us right now because we are the "first generation" to have these tools. It is also going to be up to us to make sure we keep educating the next generation.

Sue also raises a good point, the more of us who share the information we gather openly, the more it encourages others to do the same. With the forthright data, we can all benefit.

Good points Gerry, the best approach is to use all the tools, new and old to educate yourself, then weigh everything wisely as you make a breeding decision.

[hotel4dogs]

this has been a great thread. Thanks to all who have posted!

[Mary Shillabeer]

Earlier on in this thread, someone asked if anyone had any pictures. I have a friend who is a groomer. She has a client dog, with very severe Ichthyosis. This may be an extreme case, but I think we have to take this seriously, and breed to not produce more "affecteds". With the number of carriers (including my own girl) I wonder if there will be any clears in 10-15 years?

This is from Leanne Tucker (she joined the group, but can't post a URL yet):


I groom an English line Golden that is affected with Ichthyosis. I took pictures of him last year. His skin condition was finally diagnosed via a skin biopsy as their regular vet had no idea what was going on with him. Back then I didn't have a clue either! Once I did some research I had the owners submit blood for the DNA test ... of course it confirmed his skin biopsy results. Sammy is a happy guy, but for his owners it is VERY bothersome. He leaves skin flakes everywhere he goes. These pictures show how he is all the time. He is in for grooming every three weeks with a special shampoo to re-hydrate his skin. Thyroid is clear and he doesn't seem to have allergies. He is on all sorts of fish oils etc. He is not itchy at all, but if he has any skin irritation ie: hotspot, it takes weeks to heal.


http://sammyskin.imgur.com/69PR2#mbHq9

These were taken after his bath and high velocity blow dry. I start blow drying him in the tub, I should have taken a picture of the bath tub and the flakes too. I think there is a huge variance in how it affects dogs, this dog seems to be quite the extreme.

[Furball]

Here is another ichthyosis picture, a grooming client of mine 11 year old neutered male "pet pedigree"
This is his left back leg. His WHOLE BODY was covered in this extraordinary dandruff.

[Carol]

Carol, do you have to submit them to OFA or is Optigen doing it?
Thanks

ETA---LORFIELD'S I GET AROUND SR63736205 GOLDEN RETRIEVER M GOLDEN Jun 19 2012 23 GR-ICH63/23M-VPI-CAR ICHTHYOSIS

does that mean carrier?

Hi Barb,
Yes you have to submit them to OFA, the cost to record is $15.00 and yes the CAR means carrier. By the way, you can do a search on OFA for the Ichthyosis test and find all the dogs that have their results recorded. Currently only 76 dogs have their results recorded.

[hotel4dogs]

Thanks Carol!