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New genetic test detects faulty shar pei gene
shar pei puppies
SPAID is a spontaneously occurring auto-inflammatory disease affecting the Chinese shar pei.
Hopes 'ITHACA' will reduce breeding of 'high risk' dogs

Immunologists and scientists at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) have developed a means of testing for the faulty gene responsible for shar pei auto-inflammatory disease (SPAID).

In collaboration with scientists in Sweden and a culmination of years of research, the equipment required for developing the test was bought with a $50,000 grant from the Chinese Shar-Pei Charitable Trust.

SPAID is a spontaneously occurring auto-inflammatory disease affecting the Chinese shar pei and is carried on a mutated gene first discovered by the team in 2011.

The droplet digital PCR test, ITHACA, measures the number of copies of the faulty gene, with dogs carrying mutations from both parents at extremely high risk. Symptoms include fever, swollen joints, ear problems, skin 'bubbles' and kidney failure.

With the majority of shar peis carrying the defective gene, it is hoped the test will decrease the chances of breeding high risk dogs.   

Long standing Cornell alumna Dr Linda Tintle first began researching SPAID in the 1980s, and explained a positive result could enable owners to watch carefully for signs of the disease. It would also be used "as a breeding tool, with the aim of reducing the presence SPAID in the worldwide shar pei population."

Currently the test is available at Cornell’s AHDC and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.