Dear Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breeders! Dear
Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners!
Responsible breeders do their best in planning their
litters and in terms of the health of the parents and
their puppies. But as long as there are no DNA
tests available for various diseases, there is
unfortunately no guarantee that the dog is immune from a
disease. Because EPILEPSY unfortunately
also occurs in the Staffordshire bull terrier, it is
important to the ÖSBC (Austrian Staffordshire
Bullterrier Club) to support the research into a DNA
test for EPILEPSY. Since the Institute of Genetics at
the University of Bern already has an ongoing research
project on "Epilepsy in different breeds",
this project is to be supported by the ÖSBC
(Austrian Staffordshire Bullterrier Club).
Research: Epilepsy in
different breeds - Institute of Genetics (unibe.ch)
For research, blood samples from staffies suffering
from epilepsy and their relatives are urgently needed.
Likewise, samples from dogs that are not sick
themselves, but are known as safe carriers of epilepsy,
and healthy animals are extremely helpful in finding the
gene markers for EPILEPSY.
According to Dr. med. Vet. Matthias Christen, this
means for a breed safely 100 samples each from safely
idiopathic epileptics, carriers and safely healthy
animals (more than 5 years old, never had seizures and
never seizures in litter siblings, parents, or direct
offspring). The reason for the effort is that
epilepsy is often not inherited from a single gene, but
is composed of various genetic factors and. The more
samples we can provide, the sooner there is a chance to
find these markers in the Staffordshire bull terrier and
to determine the loaded dogs. The aim is that in
breeding a selection program for the breeding animals
can be created via a DNA test and in
the future LESS STAFFIES MUST SUFFER FROM
IDIOPATHIC EPILEPSY!!! For this we absolutely need
the help of the breeders and also the Staffi owners!
The epilepsy project can of course also be supported by breeders and Staffi owners from other countries by sending blood samples of their dogs to the Institute of Genetics.
The breeders/owners of sick dogs, their relatives and
safe carriers of epilepsy who are known or reported to
the breeding warden, will receive a letter requesting
the submission of a blood sample and further
information.
The ÖSBC is well aware that this is associated
with veterinarian costs, so breeders/owners who show
responsibility towards our breed and make their
contribution to this project by sending in a blood
sample should also receive a corresponding reimbursement
of costs. For dogs registered in the ÖHZB and
kept in Austria, a copy will be provided upon
presentation of a copy
- 1) of the completed leaflet and questionnaire (only
for sick dogs)
- 2) the veterinarian's fee note on the blood sample
collection and dispatch of samples to the Institute of
Genetics, Univ. Bern
- 3) and the receipt of the postal item to the
Institute of Genetics, Univ. Bern (for self-dispatch)
Veterinarian costs for the blood sample (max. 20,--
€) reimbursed by the ÖSBC.
For further questions please contact our
breeding warden: Mr. Johann Raab, e-mail:
cheerstaff(at)aon.at or our office: Mrs.
Renate Raab, Tel. 0664 430 74 62, e-mail:
oesbc.office(at)aon.at very happy to help.
All data remain with the breeding warden of the
ÖSBC and will be treated confidentially!
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