DNA health tests for cockers

[Sgurr]

Even if people test living dogs, there is still the frozen semen issue. It would be possible to breed out a DNA problem only to have it re-introduced if untested frozen semen is used.

[Amberquest]

Well after a nervous 3 week wait I have just got the results back for one of the pups I have just bred; Amberquest Cookie Monster (FTCH Mallowdale Xfactor x FTAW Creechdale Phoebe of Amberquest). He was tested clear for both prcdPRA and FN, to say I am chuffed is an understatement, and I'm now happy to have a clear pup. Now it's time to test all my bitches.

I used Laboklin for both of the tests and cant fault their service.

[Teddy]

I think the DNA test for AMS is more important than FN.

[jeffiner]

It would help if the KC were more proactive in adding the test to the list. Having experienced AMS I would advocate testing for it whether listed or not. Antagene do all the tests.

[Alice]

Well after a nervous 3 week wait I have just got the results back for one of the pups I have just bred; Amberquest Cookie Monster (FTCH Mallowdale Xfactor x FTAW Creechdale Phoebe of Amberquest). He was tested clear for both prcdPRA and FN, to say I am chuffed is an understatement, and I'm now happy to have a clear pup. Now it's time to test all my bitches.

I used Laboklin for both of the tests and cant fault their service.

nice one Scott!

I tend would agree with the others that AMS is worth doing when you do the bitches, but it's great to know the results you do already too!

[Amberquest]

Cheers Alice. It's a lot to fork out but I see it as the way things are going whether we like it or not

[jeffiner]

Acral Mutilation Syndrome
There is another suspected case of AMS in working cocker spaniels. This pup is unrelated (in the first few generations) to the first two known cases.
Glasgow Vet School and the Cocker Spaniel Breed health Coordinator have obtained the following figures from Antagene who say that there have been 72 tested of which 5 are carriers and 1 affected. In fact that should read 73 and 5 carriers as the affected pup and his aunt (clear) were both tested as Springers. Add to this the fact that as he was affected then both his sire and dam were carriers and two litter sisters were also affected plus the original untested pup by the same sire means that there is another known carrier bitch totalling 8 known carriers and 4 known affected pups.
AMS “is a rare autosomal recessive genetic sensory neuropathy that results in mutilation of distal extremities” which affects about 50% of the offspring of carriers. Those of us who have bought or bred affected pups have had absolutely no idea of the condition and it is not something you would wish on your worst enemy. This is not to say that anyone is to blame (unless they knew about it and kept quiet). It is therefore important that everyone wishing to breed from their dogs should now test for AMS to avoid spreading this dreadful condition any further.
It would be of great help in trying to establish the source (probably way back in the pedigrees) and future prevention if anyone who has had a dog positively tested as a carrier could let me know (privately and in confidence). It would also help if they had the parents tested to see which line it came down.

[mickm1963]

Our dog Bailey was sadly put to sleep last week with AMS he was only 10 months old

[Amberquest]

Our dog Bailey was sadly put to sleep last week with AMS he was only 10 months old

Sorry to hear that Mick.

WHat was his kennel name?

[RAH]

Really really so sad to hear that, you must be devastated.