 |
| Volume 4, Issue 3 |
International Parti Poodle Gazette |
July 2008 |
Hemoralopia (Day Blindness) – An UpdateAuthor: Heather Bryan It has been nearly a year since I first discovered that two puppies from a litter born at my home had difficulty seeing in full daylight. I have learned so much since then yet find that there is so much still to be learned about this horrible disease. Last March, Dr Kristina Narfstrom returned to Phoenix to re-examine the puppies with a follow-up ERG (Electroretinagram) to mark any significant changes in the puppies’ visual capabilities in different degrees of light and dark. Unfortunately, the results of the ERG’s were not uplifting. They showed significant loss of vision in dimmer light and no recordable retinal response to bright light. The prognosis is grim. More than likely both puppies will have total loss of vision. As disheartening as this news was, I still had to take a step back to remind myself how far we had come since the initial discovery of the vision problem. The University of Missouri Columbia will continue their research into the genes of these puppies, and they have great hope of locating a DNA marker for this disease. The bloodwork of all immediate relatives has now been submitted. The next step in the DNA search is to open up the research to Standard Poodles who have similar relatives in their pedigree. At this time, we are putting out the call to Standard Poodle owners who may have relatives of these dogs who would like to donate a sample of their dog’s blood to the University of Missouri Columbia. Here are the two
Poodles that produced the Hemoralpia Here are some simple instructions to follow to submit blood to the University. You can find the form they would like submitted at the following link. http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DNAtests/TESTSnow.htm Click on the link to the NEwS test for the Standard Poodle. This is the form they would like filled out when submitting blood work. Remember that this is a research project, so there is NO FEE. On the fifth line where it states: “Test Being Requested: NEwS – Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures,” cross out the NEwS and put in “Dayblind Study—Requested Blood.” Because this is still only a study, and they have not yet found the gene, you only have to answer the questions pertaining to your dog. If you have any questions on filling out the form, don’t hesitate to call the University as they will help you. They also want a pedigree submitted with the form. Click on the following link to find the instructions. http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DNAtests/TESTinst.pdf
click here for a copy
of the form SEND sample, form, and pedigree TO THIS ADDRESS: Dr. Gary Johnson - DNA Testing
If you need clarification, or have any questions about any of these procedures, please contact Liz Hansen by email (HansenL@missouri.edu) or phone (573-884-3712). It was a great opportunity to meet Dr Narfstrom in person and to get a better understanding of her insight into the research process. She truly is a wonderful, caring person who is doing everything she can to provide answers and possible cures for eye problems in animals around the world. One of the most important things that we as a society often take for granted is the great cost of research. There are grants that are made available through the government, corporations, and private contributors, but for the most part, smaller research projects—such as the project the U of M is taking with these puppies—are often under funded—if they are funded at all. We are taking decisive action to help better this situation. In April 2008 we teamed up with the International Parti Poodle Club to form a committee to help raise funds for this research. We are currently in the process of putting together a silent online auction with the proceeds donated to Dr. Narfstrom’s research fund. You can also make individual donations directly to Dr Narfstrom’s research fund. Mail checks to: Kristina Narfstrom
We are also in the process of putting together a website for these dogs and this project. It will be updated with any information that we have on the research, known facts of the disease, fundraisers, and other pertinent information available. |
