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Can you help us with…..DNA sampling?
Progress towards a genetic test for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Animal Charities: Dogs Trust
Fireworks night
Can you help us with…..DNA sampling?
As part of Dogslife’s on-going growth and development, we would now like to collect DNA samples from some of the dogs taking part in the study. We plan to use these to look at a number of interesting aspects identified in the project so far, such as looking for genetic risks for common problems (such as diarrhoea) and uncommon problems (such as limber tail), and surveying the genes associated with coat colour in Dogslife Labrador Retrievers.
Over the coming weeks, we will be contacting some of our members to see if they would be willing to provide a DNA sample from their dog. Obtaining dogs’ DNA is simple- it just requires you to put a soft sponge swab in your dog's mouth for a minute. The swab will provide us with saliva containing your dog’s DNA which we can analyse. We would also like to gather some faecal (stool) samples from dogs to look at which microbes are normally in their intestines, and how this affects their health (an easy-to-use kit will be provided for collecting these samples too).
Dogslife would greatly appreciate members’ help to obtain these samples. Thank you to everyone who supports the project and helps us find out what keeps dogs healthy!
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Progress towards a genetic test for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
In November 2011 we published a newsletter article on the Labrador Retriever Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Study, which is a nationwide project run by the Roslin Institute and the Animal Health Trust which is aiming to develop a DNA-based test for genetic risk of hip and elbow dysplasia. The project was launched in 2010, when the UK Kennel Club sent out a questionnaire to over 12,000 owners of Labrador Retrievers (born between 2004 and 2007) with a Hip Score in the British Veterinary Association / Kennel Club database.
The response was incredible, with over 3,000 completed questionnaires being returned by owners and with nearly all of the responding owners consenting to the collection of DNA from their Labrador Retriever using a mouth swab (which was sent to them by post). Over 2,000 swabs were returned to the project team, who are now in the process of analysing the DNA changes in each dog. The team use a special laboratory chip which allows them to measure changes at approximately 200,000 chromosomal positions in the DNA of each dog (also called “markers”)… which means that by the end of the project they will have nearly half a billion markers to analyse! By comparing the changes in each dog and their hip and elbow scores they will identify markers which are more common in dogs with higher or lower scores. It is anticipated that many markers will be identified, and that these can then be used to develop a DNA test which accurately predicts the genetic risk a dog is carrying for hip and/or elbow dysplasia.
For more information on the study please click here.
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Animal Charities: Dogs Trust
Dogs Trust (formerly known as the National Canine Defence League) is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK. Since its creation in 1891, Dogs Trust has been working for over 120 years to protect dogs from mistreatment and neglect. The charity aims to treat and care for dogs that are sick, injured or unwanted, and provide a permanent home for them to live a happy life, free from any suffering.
Dogs Trust have 19 rehoming centres around the UK and Ireland where approximately 16,000 dogs are cared for each year. Dogs are handed over by the public, local authorities, and other charities. Those wishing to give a dog a home are asked to visit one of the Dogs Trust’s rehoming centres where they can meet the dogs and receive help and advice from the staff on rehoming. Dogs Trust’s policy is not to destroy a physically or mentally healthy dog. If some dogs prove difficult to rehome they go to the Dogs Trust’s STAR unit where they will be given extra training, and to the Dogs Trust’s sanctuary if they are happier living with other dogs rather than people. For dogs that are rehomed, Dogs Trust provides advice to owners for the rest of the dog’s life.
Dogs Trust has set up various schemes to educate the public on dog welfare and help dog owners with limited means to provide care for their dog. These schemes aim to reduce the number of dogs that are mistreated, abandoned or destroyed. For example, in the north of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Dogs Trust have organised campaigns to give information on responsible dog ownership, and provide neutering and microchipping at a subsidised rate to those on benefits. The campaign is hoped to reduce the number of strays in these areas.
Dogs Trust also has Education Officers operating around the UK delivering free workshops to schools to provide children with more information on safety around dogs and dog care.
The Hope Project was set up by Dogs Trust in 1994 to help dogs whose owners are in a housing crisis or homeless. The project provides advice on dog welfare and helps owners to find dog friendly accommodation, as well as subsidised or free veterinary care. Dogs Trust has also set up a project called the Freedom Project which helps victims of domestic violence by fostering their pet until they are able to look after them again.
Dogs Trust also work in other countries (e.g. India, Malta, The Philippines, and Sri Lanka) alongside other organisations to help provide education and training in dog welfare including disease prevention and neutering programmes.
For more information on Dogs Trust, please click here.
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Fireworks night
As fireworks night is approaching, you may wish to read the Dogs Trust’s factsheet on how to help your dog in case they become frightened (please click here to view).
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Don't forget to come back to Dogslife to update your dog's record www.dogslife.ac.uk
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