Health
The Silken Windsprite is a relatively healthy breed. Through breeding we try to prevent the few defects from occurring or to counteract them.
The breeding males and females of the Windsprite Friends are examined for genetic diseases, heart diseases and bone diseases before being used for breeding.
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Many diseases are not obvious at first glance.
"He who does not test has no knowledge."
Heart disease
Ultrasound examination of the heart (echocardiography/sonography) is the most reliable method for making an accurate diagnosis. No anesthesia is required for this examination. The dog only has to lie or stand still for a while.
Greyhounds have different cardiac parameters compared to other dogs. For example, the size and dimensions of the heart differ from the cardiac conditions of other dog breeds.
However, a veterinary cardiologist can detect these supposed abnormalities.
A detailed echocardiography enables the assessment of heart chambers, heart valves and vessels. Precise information about the internal structure of the heart is necessary when assessing congenital and hereditary heart diseases.
Every breeding dog at Windsprite Friends is required to have a heart ultrasound.
Genetic diseases
Because of one of the original breeds, the Sheltie, the Silken Windsprite carries two genetic defects that occur in the Collie family: the genetically inherited diseases CEA and MDR1. The Windsprite friends test the parents for both diseases and mate accordingly so that no puppies can suffer from these two diseases.
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CEA
(Collie Eye Anomaly)
CEA is a hereditary disease that occurs primarily in the Collie family.
Dogs with a hereditary condition show changes to the retina of the eye, which can vary in severity. In CEA, blood vessel changes lead to bleeding in the retina. This can result in retinal detachment, which leads to the dog going blind.
In CEA, the severity of the disease cannot be changed over the course of a person's life, so an affected dog does not go blind until old age.
Inheritance: autosomal recessive
There are three genotypes:
1. Genotype N/N +/+ or N/N (genetically free)
2. Genotype N/CEA +/- or N/CEA (carrier)
3. Genotype CEA/CEA -/- or CEA/CEA (affected)
A DNA test allows direct detection of whether a dog is affected. DNA analysis is possible regardless of the animal's age and can be carried out on puppies. Not only can affected and free animals be distinguished, but clinically unremarkable carriers can also be identified, which is of great importance for breeding.
One might think that a breeding ban for all CEA carriers would be a good solution to eradicate this hereditary disease as quickly as possible. However, the CEA gene is so widespread that it would lead to a rapidly increasing inbreeding rate and it would be very difficult to preserve the breed.
MDR1
(Drug intolerance)
Not only the Silken Windsprit is affected by this hereditary disease, but also many other dog breeds, such as Australian Shepherds, Shelties, Collies, Windhounds, White German Shepherds, Bobtails, Border Collies or German Shepherds.
The MDR 1 defect is a hypersensitivity to certain drugs. Even small amounts can cause neurotoxic symptoms such as movement and coordination disorders, tremors, dizziness, vomiting, disorientation and increased salivation. Higher doses can lead to coma and death of the dog.
If a drug tries to penetrate the brain through the blood-brain barrier, it is recognized by MDR1 and transported back into the blood. A mutation in the MDR1 gene causes it to lose its protective function and drugs can pass through the blood-brain barrier unhindered. Fortunately, many drugs are known that should not be used on dogs affected by MDR1.
As with CEA, it is possible to determine whether a dog is ill using a genetic test.
The MDR 1 defect is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
The three genotypes:
MDR1 +/+ does not carry the mutation and cannot pass it on to its offspring.
MDR 1 +/- carries a copy of the mutated gene and can pass this on to its offspring at 50%. Such a Windsprite should only be mated with a +/+ Windsprite so that no -/- puppies can be born.
MDR1 -/- carries two copies of the mutated gene and is affected. He will always pass a mutated gene to his offspring and should only be bred to a +/+ Windsprite so that no puppies with -/- can be born.
Avoid diseases
To avoid diseases in the offspring, breeders test their dogs for genetic diseases. There is a possibility that a dog is free, a carrier or affected by a genetic defect.
Genetics is a large field and not all genetic diseases have been identified or limited to a few breeds.
Research is constantly progressing and developing new tests so that we can learn more and incorporate this into our breeding planning.
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The term hereditary defect refers to the totality of hereditary deviations, disorders and genetically caused defects.
There are currently around 450 hereditary defects in dogs. This high number is probably due to the fact that genetically caused changes have become increasingly evident in recent years. Thanks to advanced technology and efficient diagnostic procedures, it is now possible to identify and classify this type of health problem.
Today, a genetic defect is known to exist in about two dozen hereditary diseases in dogs. However, in about half of all hereditary diseases, which are suspected to be genetically based on breed predispositions (breed-related predisposition to the disease), the mode of inheritance is still a mystery.
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Bone diseases
LÜW
(Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae)
The dog's spine is made up of approximately 50 vertebrae and is divided into five sections.
Most dogs have 7 cervical vertebrae, 13 thoracic vertebrae, 7 lumbar vertebrae, 3 sacral vertebrae and about 20 caudal vertebrae.
The vertebrae of one section differ from the neighboring sections due to anatomical characteristics.
Transitional vertebrae or switching vertebrae are the vertebrae that lie at the transition between two sections.
It has been proven that in dogs with a transitional vertebra between the lumbar and sacral regions, the last intervertebral disc is often damaged, which can lead to compression and inflammation of the nerves in the spinal canal. Transitional vertebrae can also cause the pelvis to tilt, which can result in severe unilateral or bilateral hip dysplasia (HD).
Although it is not proven whether and how the transitional vertebra is inherited, the Windsprite Friends have decided to only breed dogs with type 0 and type 1.
Type 2 and Type 3 are excluded from breeding.
Type 0a normal lumbosacral junction
Type 1Failure to fuse the spinous processes of the first and second sacral vertebrae
Type 2symmetrical malformation of the transverse processes
Type 3differently shaped transverse processes, i.e. an asymmetrical lumbosacral transitional vertebra
Intestinal disease
IBD
(Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
IBD is a chronic inflammation of the intestines. The exact causes for the development of IBD have not yet been determined with certainty. It is assumed that it is an interaction of several factors.
- genetic factors
- unfavorable bacterial flora in the intestine
- Excess of histamines
- psychological problems such as anxiety or stress
- Medicines
- excessive immune reaction
To trigger IBD, several factors must come together, which ultimately creates a vicious circle. This can only be broken by addressing several issues at the same time.
In principle, all dogs can suffer from chronic intestinal inflammation. It is not a disease that only affects Silken Windsprite.
It has not yet been researched exactly how the disease breaks out, but a genetic component is suspected. In German Shepherds, for example, it has been proven that 16 genes, so-called single nucleotide polymorphisms, are associated with the occurrence of IBD.
IBD can only be diagnosed with absolute certainty by taking a tissue sample from the intestine.
