News about Boxer cardiomyopathy

[DiverDiva]

I think this is exciting news. WSU veterinary cardiologist Kathryn M. Meurs discovered a mutant gene in the Boxer breed that causes the type of heart disease that has caused so much heartache (no pun intended) for some board members.

http://www.wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=14446&TypeID=1

I am hoping that in the future, there may be a test for tis gene.

 

[j'adoreboxer]

I also heard that she is going to be speaking at ABC 2009 and that there should be a DNA swab test for it in about 1-2 months.

I think that this is fantastic new and I am so excited, it brought a tear to my eye.

 

[EAO76]

Meurs’ laboratory is now near obtaining a patent on her discovery and is perfecting a genetic testing probe for the gene mutation that will be used as a clinical screening device. Shortly, Boxer owners will have the ability to take a simple cheek swab of their dog and know whether or not it carries the mutant gene. Cost of the screening is expected to be about $70 and available within the next 1-2 months.

So just to help me understand…if your dog has the gene does that mean he has the disease? Or can he be a carrier of the gene without having the disease?

In other words if my dog was tested & they found the mutant gene is that a diagnoses of heart disease? Or will the test just be used to determine quality of breeding stock?

 

[auntthelm]

That is wonderful news. It seems that the test and meds would help a dog that has the problem, but it can also help to eliminate the problem by not breeding dogs who have the mutant gene.
Thanks for sharing this important info.

 

[GoCougs]

I think this is exciting news. WSU veterinary cardiologist Kathryn M. Meurs discovered a mutant gene in the Boxer breed[/url]

I had just seen Dr. Meurs at the beginning of April for an SAS screening for one of my dogs, and she very confidently assured me that she was very close to a breakthrough. I never dreamed she was THIS close.

So just to help me understand…if your dog has the gene does that mean he has the disease? Or can he be a carrier of the gene without having the disease?

I wouldn't think so. Something like ARVC would be a symptomatic disease. Being genetically predisposed to a disease doesn't mean you have it, no more than a human who has family history of heart disease actually has it.

I think any test they come up with is just another way way for breeders to screen their dogs before breeding them. Identifying a mutant gene hopefully means we can work to eliminate it altogether. That means, however, that it's becomes increasingly important that people get their puppies from reputable breeders.

 

[DiverDiva]

BoxerWorld member and advisor Draymia, aka Cheryl, is showing at ABC nationals. From the Show Boxer Forums:

It is show time! appicon

...I have three of mine entered. My Striker is in the very special Top Twenty of US Show Boxers and in the Best of Breed Competition. My old girl, Keebler is entered in the Veteran Class and the youngest in my household is Christy, is in the 9-12 month puppy class and 9-12 Futurity.

I am looking forward to the Health Report meeting. Hopefully, there will be some promising updates on all of the various research projects that are ongoing. The American Boxer Club and Charitable Trust contribute to many different research projects for the health of the Boxer.

Maybe she will honor us with a little summary her experiences at the show, plus another little summary of the Health Report meeting. I am hoping...

 

[dlcenters]

That is wonderful. If only there were laws that everyone had to get their dogs health tested before breeding.
BTW, I just found out my vet was Dr. Meurs lab assistant when he was in vet school...I knew there was something special about him when it came to boxers.

 

[gmacleod]

If only there were laws that everyone had to get their dogs health tested before breeding.

Or that all puppy buyers would accept their share of responsibility and buy only from breeders who do test... It would achieve the same effect, only probably faster

 

[Draymia]

Hi everyone,

I just arrived home a few hours ago and will give a brief update. More to follow after I get some sleep. Boy, is that a LONG drive. 2253 miles!

Dr. Meurs talk was the "talk" of the entire week. Here is a brief explanation of her finding. It is important to keep in mind that this is just a start. At this time we will have to be very careful in our future breeding practices. This research is still very new and we have no idea what the numbers of clear animals will be. But, what a fantastic ABC and what a fantastic start to make our beloved breed healthier! appicon appicon

Snippets from Dr. Meurs presentation:

-First, as you know, ARVC is not an easy condition to diagnose definitively,
and especially it is hard to rule it out definitively, as our only test so
far has a very high false negative rate. As you will see below, it may also
have a fairly high false positive rate.

-She (Dr. Meurs) knew that chromosome 17 was an "area of interest", but after laborious checking none of the genes on that chromosome previously known to be involved with hearts were found to be associated with ARVC. She finally had to "walk it in", with the help of Kirstin Lindblade-Toh at the Broad, checking each gene one by one in the "area of interest" until she found it. The gene is on chromosome 17. It has NEVER been known to have anything to do with hearts before, though it has been known to be involved with brain. They have not found this particular mutation in ANY other breed, or any other SPECIES so far. It has been found ONLY in Boxers, despite some pretty concerted looking at this point. So, it appears to have been a brand new mutation, in one of the foundation Boxers, and has been passed on accidentally as time has passed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmosome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_muscle

The mutation of this gene found in Boxers is VERY large. For those who know
about DNA, it is a 7 base deletion, which means that the protein produced by
the mutated gene is extremely dysfunctional.

Boxers with one copy of the gene (heterozygotes) will code for at least SOME
normal protein, but will still be affected to some extent. Boxers with 2
copies of the gene (homozygous abnormal) will be more severely affected.

Recommendations:

-AT THIS TIME, she believes that the gene is not as wide spread as the gene
for DM. Therefore, she believes it may be possible to eliminate homozygous
abnormal Boxers without adversely affecting our gene pool. However, of
course, this may all change as we begin testing the wider population of
Boxers.

The gene codes for "desmosomes" which are proteins that help tissue hold
together:

 

[j'adoreboxer]

Cheryl

Would you mind if I cross posted your reply so others might be able to benefit from this wonderful information?