As yet we have no DNA test for eye disease in the German Spitz but studies are ongoing for the following.
DNA Eye Testing
GPRA/PRA
There have been a couple of reported incidences of GPRA-like symptoms in Kleins and two so far in Mittels in the UK and owners of these have been advised to submit blood samples to Optigen for further study as they already have a test for this in several other breeds. Samples from affected dogs in Finland have also been sent. As yet, there has been no progress in developing a DNA test from these samples.
The Animal Health Trust in the UK was also looking at DNA samples from these dogs before it went into administration but the KC is still in possession of these samples that are now at Cambridge University.
Optigen (now Wisdom Panel), Labkolin, Animal DNA Diagnostics, Orivet and some other companies do offer a prcd-PRA test for German Spitz but this appears to have been developed from the Gross spitz dogs that have incorporated American Eskimo Dogs into their lines so is the same PRA variant that affects that breed and not that found in the affected German Spitz so please don't be fooled into thinking that if your dog has a clear DNA test for tprcd-PRA that it is clear for PRA in our breed as this is a different variant.
MRD/Retinal Dysplasia
The following info is from Eddie Andrew (Runfold GS), and it cannot be stressed how important it is that this opportunity to help ensure a healthy future for our German Spitz not be missed.
Eddie has been doing some work communicating with the University of Cambridge Vet School (thanks to Toni Jackson) to see if the German Spitz carries the same gene for MRD as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, the Mastiff, the Bullmastiff and the Coton de Tulear, the University are willing to do this research for FREE!!!
The only thing that the owner will have to pay for is to have the blood taken by their vet. If we can, as a breed, raise some funds, even this cost will be covered.
So please, if you have a dog affected with retinal folds, RD, MRD, or a dog who has produced this in a litter PLEASE contribute their blood to this study.
They would like "families" ie Sire and Dam, affected pup and siblings. If this gene is found to be the one affecting the GS then it will be the end of a lot of the secrecy, carriers can be used in breeding programmes as the puppies can then be screened and the carrier puppies used with clears in the future. We know there are other dogs with MRD out there, other litters with retinal folds, the more blood the university has the more likely they can find the gene.
Also if anyone has any ideas for raising funds to help the people good enough to put their dogs forward for this study then let us know.
Please crosspost this to other interested parties.
