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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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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.