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MBTCA HEALTH
REPORT - September 2001
There is not much to report at
this time on the research projects our club has been supporting through the
AKC Canine Health Foundation. Dr. Johnson's project on lens luxation ended
last year. He is starting an expanded project this fall. "Molecular Genetics
Causes for Canine Lens Luxation and Glaucoma". His grant proposal to the
AKCCHF suggested ten breeds to be included in the study. I do not know
exactly how many breeds have agreed to participate in this project. The
MBTCA does plan to continue supporting Dr. Johnson's research, but has not
yet agreed to the sum of money requested ($3200 per year for two years).
This will be finalized at the October board meeting. I agree that this is a
sizeable sum for a small club. Yet if you think of it in terms of donations
by individual club members. $100 from thirty-two members or $200 from 16
members would give us the total for this year. Any donations to the AKC
Canine Health Foundation designated for the MBTCA Donor Advised Fund are tax
deductible.
Dr. Eggleston from the
University of California, Davis, submitted her 12-month progress report to
the AKCCHF on July 16th. Since the report is stamped "CONFIDENTIAL, NOT FOR
DISTRIBUTION," I will not quote from it. However, she does seem pleased to
have sufficient samples from the eight breeds involved. She must be using
the cheek swab samples, which Kevin Welch asked us to send in about three
years ago. Through our participation in this study (I think the cost is
$2500 for this year), we are hoping that further details of the DNA map will
make it possible to recognize differences in Mini Bull DNA samples which in
turn will make it possible to identify dogs carrying hereditary defects and
also, of course, dogs NOT carrying defects. We tend to forget the importance
of the latter.
The Health Committee has been
looking over a simplified health questionnaire. The AKCCHF sent a new
questionnaire, which I assume they are recommending. But it is still three
or four pages long and goes into much greater detail than we need at this
time.
There are a few very basic
things we need to learn:
1. What is the average
lifespan of a Miniature Bull Terrier?
2. What are our Minis dying
from and at what age?
3. What are the major health
problems in the breed? (Some of these may be lethal orb
potentially lethal, while others
may less life-threatening but yet of real concern.)
Valid results require a really
good response. So, when your questionnaire arrives, please fill it out and
return it promptly to the address indicated on the form.
The AKCCHF is holding its fourth
symposium in St. Louis over the weekend of October 19-21. I am hoping to
attend as the representative of our breed club.
Health Committee
Chair |
