Genetic Welfare Problems of Companion Animals
An overview
What is the problem?
The problem of health issues related to unsuitable breeding was listed as the top welfare concern of vets and vet nurses in the PDSA’s Animal Wellbeing Report 2011: www.pdsa.org.uk/pawreport
Many genetic diseases occur in companion animals (eg see Lindblad-Toh et al 2005). Some of these diseases arose due to random mutations that became established in some breeds, but in other cases, adverse welfare impacts have arisen as direct consequences of the features being selected for. So, respiratory difficulties occur in some breeds because of selection for shortened noses, and others are predisposed to bacterial skin infections as a result of breeding for excess, deeply folded skin. Although efforts by responsible breeders, veterinarians and geneticists to try to tackle some of these diseases are gathering momentum, it is surprising that there has been rather little concern about these matters until very recently in view of their very significant welfare impact (CAWC 2006). ‘The idea for this website was stimulated by the CAWC Report on Breeding and Welfare in Companion Animals (CAWC, 2006).
What is this site about?
Science for Animal Welfare started this website to help reduce the severity and incidence of breed-related welfare problems in companion animals by providing information for prospective pet owners, breeders and others.
If you are thinking of buying a dog, cat, rabbit or any other other companion animal of a particular strain or breed, you will find information on what inherited welfare problems may occur, and what checks to make with breeders or suppliers to avoid buying affected or carrier animals and, in so doing, unintentionally perpetuating the problem.
What is the particular role of this website among other efforts being made to tackle genetic welfare problems?
Tackling genetic welfare problems requires the concerted efforts of breeders, geneticists, vets, pet owners and others. A team approach is needed and the particular role of this website is to provide information on the welfare aspects of genetic diseases and conditions – to explain what they are and why they cause pain or discomfort.
Science for Animal Welfare believes this is a key component of efforts to tackle these problems but there are other crucial aspects also and others are currently working on these. Some of the main initiatives in the UK are listed below. As is apparent from the information at this website, these efforts are by no means limited to the UK – research is being undertaken, and breeding strategies developed to tackle these diseases in many countries. Here we list some UK organisations only so as to provide a brief overview of the shape of part of one nation’s ‘team’ as an example. Many individuals and organisations are involved – a complete list would be far too extensive to present here.
The Independent Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding (https://www.dogadvisorycouncil.org.uk/) is working to develop coordinated strategies to tackle priority diseases.
The Inherited Diseases in Dogs website (http://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/idid/) contains a guide to diseases/conditions of pure-bred dogs which are likely to be transmitted wholly or partly through a genetic mechanism.
Scientists, for example, at the Animal Health Trust, are working to identify the genes involved and to develop tests so that carrier animals can be detected (http://www.aht.org.uk/cms-display/genetics.html).
The British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF) and the RSPCA have developed a ‘puppy contract’ scheme so that prospective puppy buyers are given information relevant to genetic health before making a purchase (http://puppycontract.rspca.org.uk/home).
The British Veterinary Association works with the Kennel Club to develop screening tests for genetic diseases/conditions based on clinical findings (eg aimed at tackling hip dysplasia in various breeds and syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (http://www.bva.co.uk/atoz/1392.aspx; http://www.bva.co.uk/news/2742.aspx)
The Kennel Club funds and promotes research into tackling genetic diseases in dogs and works to develop strategies to tackle them (http://www.doggenetichealth.org/). Under its umbrella, many of the specific breed clubs have genetic health schemes.
The Dog Breed Health website is a user-friendly source of information, providing advice for prospective puppy buyers on what diseases can occur and how to avoid them (http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/).
There is searchable on-line database on genetic (DNA) tests available for canine and feline hereditary diseases and which provides contact details of laboratories that provide these tests at: http://research.vet.upenn.edu/DNAGeneticsTestingLaboratorySearch/tabid/7620/Default.aspx