History of Juvenile Kidney Disease (JKD) in Boxers
Diseases causing the early onset of canine kidney failure in dogs have been recognised and are known to be inherited. These diseases have been found in several different breeds, notably the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Standard Poodles and several other breeds. Kidney disease in these breeds follows a recessive inheritance, but they are not caused by identical genetic mutations. The mutation that causes the early onset kidney disease in Cocker Spaniels has been identified and is known to be inherited as an autosomal recessive. In this case the gene involved is the COL4A4 gene and a single point mutation leads to dogs having the disease which is now called Autosomal Hereditary Recessive Nephropathy (AHRN). There is a genetic test for the mutation in Cocker Spaniels - click here
The gene mutation identified in AHRN is not the same as the genetic mutation responsible for Boxer JKD.
Summary of some of the known inherited kidney diseases in other breeds can be found at the this website
A small isolated family of Boxer JKD cases was identified in the United Kingdom in 1982. Immediate action was taken by the breeder and the family was withdrawn from breeding and no further cases from this source were subsequently found in the UK.
In Sweden, cases of what was called originally referred to as Progressive Nephropathy (PNP) were recognised in Boxers about 15 years ago. Some years later the name was changed to Renal Dysplasia (RD). Despite seemingly equivalent conditions being recognised in several other breeds in the same period, the condition was deduced to be an inherited one. Pedigrees of the cases were published and the Swedish Boxer Breed Club and Swedish Kennel Club advised that all dogs producing affected progeny should be withdrawn from all future breeding.
A group of Boxer JKD cases were found in America about 8 years ago, most of these cases were closely related and showed evidence of inbreeding. These cases were referred to Kerstin Lindblad-Toh at the Broad Institute who initiated a scan for the gene. The Broad Institute is still actively researching the cause of this disease see their website here
In the United Kingdom, only seemingly isolated cases of renal failure in Boxers were observed, including those detected in a survey conducted by Marge Chandler (see Publications). About 6 years ago a cluster of affected dogs was identified by a Scottish Boxer breeder (Sharon McCurdy, McRobs Boxers). This led to the identification of numerous related cases, notably in Scotland, but also elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Pedigree investigations by Dr Bruce Cattanach indicated that the condition was inherited and was widespread within the UK.
Subsequently, Boxer JKD has been found throughout Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, with further cases found in North America. The disease has appeared in breedings between Boxer JKD families from different countries; it can be concluded that only a single disease with a common genetic basis is involved.
Research presentation showing the familiar relationship between cases of Boxer JKD - see link here
The gene mutation identified in AHRN is not the same as the genetic mutation responsible for Boxer JKD.
Summary of some of the known inherited kidney diseases in other breeds can be found at the this website
A small isolated family of Boxer JKD cases was identified in the United Kingdom in 1982. Immediate action was taken by the breeder and the family was withdrawn from breeding and no further cases from this source were subsequently found in the UK.
In Sweden, cases of what was called originally referred to as Progressive Nephropathy (PNP) were recognised in Boxers about 15 years ago. Some years later the name was changed to Renal Dysplasia (RD). Despite seemingly equivalent conditions being recognised in several other breeds in the same period, the condition was deduced to be an inherited one. Pedigrees of the cases were published and the Swedish Boxer Breed Club and Swedish Kennel Club advised that all dogs producing affected progeny should be withdrawn from all future breeding.
A group of Boxer JKD cases were found in America about 8 years ago, most of these cases were closely related and showed evidence of inbreeding. These cases were referred to Kerstin Lindblad-Toh at the Broad Institute who initiated a scan for the gene. The Broad Institute is still actively researching the cause of this disease see their website here
In the United Kingdom, only seemingly isolated cases of renal failure in Boxers were observed, including those detected in a survey conducted by Marge Chandler (see Publications). About 6 years ago a cluster of affected dogs was identified by a Scottish Boxer breeder (Sharon McCurdy, McRobs Boxers). This led to the identification of numerous related cases, notably in Scotland, but also elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Pedigree investigations by Dr Bruce Cattanach indicated that the condition was inherited and was widespread within the UK.
Subsequently, Boxer JKD has been found throughout Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, with further cases found in North America. The disease has appeared in breedings between Boxer JKD families from different countries; it can be concluded that only a single disease with a common genetic basis is involved.
Research presentation showing the familiar relationship between cases of Boxer JKD - see link here
|
|
|
