Questionnaire for Italian spinone owners
Italian spinone owners have been asked to participate in a survey to help understand and treat common health defects in the breed.
Specialists at the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) are looking into cancer, epilepsy and gastric dilation/torsion (bloat) to help them treat such conditions in future patients.
Owners of Kennel Club (KC) registered Italian spinones that were born between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2011 are urged to complete a questionnaire.
The questionnaire forms part of a genetics study. By understanding these health defects, it is hoped that breeders will be able to rear healthier Italian spinone generations in the future.
The AHT and KC have already worked together to develop DNA tests for various other breeds in a similar way, including beagles and cavalier King Charles spaniels.
KC Secretary Caroline Kisco said: "Breeders and breed clubs all want to understand, treat and ultimately eliminate conditions that can affect their beloved breed. The Kennel Club registers around 250,000 puppies each year and these vast pedigree records and our contact with breeders are vital to helping us improve the health of all dogs in the future.
"We are grateful to the Italian Spinone Breed Club of Great Britain for supporting this study and look forward to working with breeders and the Animal Health Trust on this important project.”
Cathryn Mellersh, head of genetics at the centre, added: “At the moment we don’t have a clear picture about the incidence of cancer, epilepsy and bloat in the Italian Spinone. By working with the breeders of Kennel Club registered dogs, we hope to considerably increase our understanding of these diseases, so that we can find treatments and develop tools that will help breeders to breed future generation of Spinones that are less likely to be affected.”
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
