February 2010 Express...

NEWS FROM THE YTCA FOUNDATION………                     

As we move into another decade, the Foundation continues to work for better health and a better future for our Yorkies.  In January, we provided funding support for a new Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) study being conducted by Dr. Keith Murphy, PhD., Chair of the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry and Dr. Alison Starr, PhD., Research Assistant Professor, both of Clemson University in South Carolina.

LCPD is a bone disease in which the head and neck of the femur (thigh bone) die due to lack of blood supply.  Either the left or right leg may be affected or both.  It is termed a developmental disease because it is usually seen in young dogs (4-11 months of age) and affected breeds are usually toys or miniatures.  Yorkshire Terriers are among the affected breeds.  The disease is thought to be caused in part by genetics with both parents contributing a recessive gene.  Since either sex may be affected, the mode of transmission is thought to be autosomal recessive.  The role of other environmental factors is as yet unclear.

Young dogs who are afflicted usually demonstrate pain, lameness and or wasting of the muscle at the hip joint.  Treatment requires costly surgical intervention via removal of the femoral head or total hip replacement ($1,000-$5,000 minimum cost).  LCPD is a condition that has proved difficult to either predict or prevent.  Thus finding the cause of LCPD will benefit breeders, owners and the affected dogs alike.

Drs. Murphy and Starr hope to identify the affected genes using DNA analysis and sequencing via 50 blood samples donated from affected pet (25) and normal (25) Yorkshire Terriers in the United States, Canada and other countries around the world.  Their ultimate goal is to develop a genetics test that would identify both affected individuals and carriers so that they could be excluded from breeding programs.

Purina made LCPD and the grant of Drs. Murphy and Starr the subject of their latest Yorkshire Terrier edition of the Purina Pro Newsletter.  Please read this informative information on our website, yorkiehealthfoundation.org under the education sub-heading.

The seminar that the Foundation sponsored in New York was outstanding.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and attendance was limited.  Dr. Bell's seminar reflected his study of over 35,000 Yorkshire Terriers in the Database and included an in depth analysis of some of the most influential Yorkshire Terrier Sires and Dams in our breed.  His research used 10 generations and beyond to find those dogs that are influencing much of what we wee in our Yorkshire Terriers of today.  His explanations found the attendees attentive to his discovery of how the popular sires of the past are apparent in the Yorkshire Terriers in the 21st Century.  This was an eye-opening seminar every serious student of the breed will find of great interest with fascinating information.  Health testing is lacking in our breed and Dr. Bell encouraged testing while our breed is relatively untouched as some breeds are with the popular sire syndrome that can devastate a breed when a disorder is ignored or goes undiscovered by lack of testing (eye Cerfs is an example, which are relatively inexpensive).  Since the seminar in New York, the response on ordering thiss video has been overwhelming.  Many people have already received this DVD.  We wanted to share with you one of the emails we just received from someone who order the video:

     Dr. Bell's seminar was packed with good information.  Anyone who takes the time to really study his

      seminar will undoubtedly become a better breeder.

Our website contains information on how to order this video or you can contact Dr. Krukenkamp directly at ibkmd@showdogvideos.com.

We are also pleased to announce that the board has unanimously reelected Jacqueline Spencer to a three year term as a member of the Board of Directors.  Jackie has proven to be a very valuable addition to our expanded board because of her education, on the job experience, and she is also a breeder of both Yorkies and Maltese.  Jackie is very familiar with the grant process and with many of the researchers and their credentials and veterinary affiliations.  We feel privileged that she has agreed to continue to serve on the Foundation Board.

Sincerely,