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New genetic test detects faulty shar pei gene
shar pei puppies
SPAID is a spontaneously occurring auto-inflammatory disease affecting the Chinese shar pei.
Hopes 'ITHACA' will reduce breeding of 'high risk' dogs

Immunologists and scientists at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) have developed a means of testing for the faulty gene responsible for shar pei auto-inflammatory disease (SPAID).

In collaboration with scientists in Sweden and a culmination of years of research, the equipment required for developing the test was bought with a $50,000 grant from the Chinese Shar-Pei Charitable Trust.

SPAID is a spontaneously occurring auto-inflammatory disease affecting the Chinese shar pei and is carried on a mutated gene first discovered by the team in 2011.

The droplet digital PCR test, ITHACA, measures the number of copies of the faulty gene, with dogs carrying mutations from both parents at extremely high risk. Symptoms include fever, swollen joints, ear problems, skin 'bubbles' and kidney failure.

With the majority of shar peis carrying the defective gene, it is hoped the test will decrease the chances of breeding high risk dogs.   

Long standing Cornell alumna Dr Linda Tintle first began researching SPAID in the 1980s, and explained a positive result could enable owners to watch carefully for signs of the disease. It would also be used "as a breeding tool, with the aim of reducing the presence SPAID in the worldwide shar pei population."

Currently the test is available at Cornell’s AHDC and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.