DNA health tests for cockers

[RAH]

I knew Sgurr would know the answer

Genomia are a Czech lab and they charge €87 + VAT for the combined test. You can submit either a blood sample from your vet or a cheek swab that you can do yourself. Here's the link for you Lee:

http://www.genomia.cz/en/test/fn-pra/#

[lee-kinsman]

Superb thanks Rah!

Lee

[Rookie]

Is anyone particulary bothered whether the test results are published by the kennel club or not?
There's such a vast difference in cost especially for the PRA.

I seem to remember someone saying that if progeny happened to be hereditary clear they would still publish that result as long as they had a copy of both parents certificates. Am I right or wrong in that?

[Matt]

I'm not bothered if the KC publish - as long as I can see a certificate when I visit the litter and get a copy if I take a pup. Having said that - the main advantage of it being published by the KC is that it ends up on myKC. Given it's so addictive it's a fun way to look for lines and makes it easier to start finding a litter in the first place...

I'll hopefully be properly looking for a cocker in a year or so - and even now I can't help checking out the dogs I like the look of. I do find it very odd - coming from Labradors which have been health tested up to the eyeballs - that spaniels aren't routinely screened. I know lots of people disagree on the subject, but my dogs are pets first and workers second, so I really want the reassurance that health testing provides.

[jeffiner]

AMS is a horrible, ultimately fatal condition and even though there is now a test for cockers the KC doesn't list it. Have tried breed health coordinator but it seems the wheels between them "grind exceedingly slow" - if at all! Any ideas of how to speed things up. More people are testing - but not the ones who really need to to get to the bottom of where it might strike next. Of course those that may have had/bred affected dogs are probably keeping quiet about it and we're only hearing about those few tested clear. For the record I bred the dam of the affected cocker that was the first to be tested positive and I subsequently found that her dam and grandam (can't go back further), both bred by me, are carriers - so what is the history of the parents of the dog used? No chance of finding that out!

[Sgurr]

Frank Macgiriaght who is the Gundog respresentative on the KC Assured Breeders committee (I may not have all the official names right) has already said that he will take the matter up with KC. But these things are always slow and as you say, although there are some people testing but not the ones who really need to get to the heart of the problem.
I think all one can do is take the attitude that unless a breeder can show Clear test results for a dog/bitch then just assume it is a Carrier.

[Strathcraig]

Frank Geraghty - his affix is Macgiriaght

[Teddy]

There are people out there who know where PRA and AMS is coming from, but fear for their reputation, they'd be shot down in flames and more besides! There's also no solid proof as these dogs are long gone and can't be tested, it's only through pouring over pedigrees for hours and hours that the same names are there every time.

[Sgurr]

Frank Geraghty - his affix is Macgiriaght

Thanks Craig - just a senior moment!

[jeffiner]

The frustrating thing is, as I see it - and I may be wrong - that there is 1 particular dog who is still around that if tested clear would potentially clear many, many others and at least point us in the right direction. OK so it could also open up a v large can of worms but what a result. It's the old story of £ signs being more important than welfare and I know which reputation I would rather have.