Health Survey Results - 1997

Reported by Melinda Cumming, DVM

REPORT (May 1997)

The current number of surveys totals 45 - a very small sample on which to base any predictions or evaluations. Screening for potential health problems is a necessity in potential breeding pairs. If we don’t look for known health problems, we can not assume it is not in the gene pool. In any breed, documenting the health of potential sires and dams is critical to prevent one or two pre potent sires from passing along a genetic health time bomb along with hunting prowess, excellent temperament, and conformation.

Recommendations:

• Continue to require documentation of normal hips in all breeding animals.
• Adopt OFA breeding principals (below) to reduce hip dysplasia in the breed.
• Do not breed before full maturity of the animal (2 years minimum for this breed).
• Authorize the Breed Health Committee to submit the breed standard to CERF, and require all breeding animals to be screened.
• Continue breed health survey via mailings to non-responding members.

Comments:

1) Congenital versus Hereditary

Congenital problems occur through developmental problems, occur on a random basis, and generally are not considered to be mutations which are passed to any progeny.

2) Hip Dysplasia - an expensive problem for every potential owner of a Spinone

OFA Breeding Principles:

• Breed normal to normal
• Breed normal with normal ancestry
• Breed normal from litters with low incidence of HD
• Select a sire that produces a low incidence of HD
• Replace dogs with dogs that are better than the breed average

3) Eyes - What is CERF

Canine Eye Registry Foundation is a non-profit registry for eye disease. Registration is through evaluation by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist (CVO). When a breed standard is submitted by the parent club it is sent to all CVO’s to use as a guideline for the breed.

4) Allergies

Skin problems, flea and food allergies, ear infections (otitis) are statistically correlated in this survey. Food allergies and diarrhea were also highly correlated. These tendencies are hereditary. This is an area for great vigilance - these are financially and emotionally draining health problems, and inconsistent with a vigorous hunting breed.

5) No reports of bloat

3 anecdotal reports of this problem (medical lingo: Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus Syndrome)

6) No reports of Lyme Disease

A large portion of the survey animals are resident in areas where the Lyme tick is endemic. Most are vaccinated against Lyme disease

P.S. to the SCOA list subscribers....I am happy to report I have received about 20 more surveys since this report was formulated for the annual meeting. Between the folks at the meeting, and the electronic version we’re doing better on getting more representative data! Thanks everybody!
Melinda Cummings, DVM

Survey Statistics:

Sex: 44% Female, 56% Male

Height: Female 21-26" (measured at the withers), average height 24" +/- 1.5"
Male 19.5-29", average height 25.8" +/- 2"

Weight: Female 68.3 +/- 12 lbs., Male 78.7 +/- 9 lbs.

Age: Range 6 months to 9 years, 85% of females 5 years or younger, 96% of males 5 years or younger

Spay/Neuter: 44% yes, 56% no

Health History

Overall Health: (owner’s opinion) Poor 3%, Good 32%, Excellent 65%

Skin: 26% noted problems including flea allergy dermatitis, demodex (mites), acral lick granulomas ("hot spots"), dry skin

Neurologic: "Idiopathic epilepsy" 3 diagnosed cases, 1 anecdotal report

Musculoskeletal:

Hip Dysplasia

OFA: Ranked 23 of 107 evaluated breeds (1 is highest incidence of HD), 158 dogs evaluated. Normal score breakdown: Excellent 13.9%, Good 48.1%, Fair 17.1%. Dysplastic score breakdown: Mild 8.9%, Moderate 10.1%, Severe 1.3%

PennHIP: Less than 20 dogs evaluated, no report generated.

1 anecdotal report of elbow dysplasia

Vision: Drooping lids, ectropion 15.5%

Conjunctivitis 4%
FCI standard states "The eyelids should adhere perfectly to the ocular bulb in a semi lateral position...the eyelid is rounded."

Ears and Hearing: Recurrent otitis 8.8%

Endocrine: Hypothyroidism (low functioning thyroid) 2%

Respiratory/Heart: No reported problems

Digestive: Food allergies, diarrhea, special diets 22%

Urinary: Incontinence (reported in females only) 4%

Tumors: Lipomas (age weighted) and benign dermal cysts are normal. One reported case of malignant cancer.

Reproductive: Average litter size 7, surviving pups 6-7.

Mastitis: 2%, false/"hysterical" pregnancies 6%

Temperament: Overall friendly, calm, outgoing

Issues: fearful, timid, separation anxiety 6%

Reported Causes of Death: Uncontrollable seizures, leukemia, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), congenital liver disease. ALL OCCURRED IN DOGS 5 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER

Other:

Conformation Faults: Bite, coat (soft, long, woolly)

Hunting/Field Work: 26% reported scores from average to excellent instincts

Other training activities: obedience 33%, therapy 6%

This page was last modified: 03/08/05