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"The Pathway for Future Generations"

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CURRENT EXPRESS ARTICLE

"The Pathway for Future Generations"

As you know, the Foundation has been a supporter of the Rabies Challenge since 2008. So far, we have contributed $3,500* to this effort. The rabies vaccine is one of the most deadly of veterinary immunizations. Since the Rabies Challenge began, several states have changed their laws and now allow the three year vaccine as opposed to the annual immunization. The Foundation received an invitation to attend the Safer Pet Vaccination and Health Care seminar given by Rabies Challenge founders, Dr. Dodds and Dr. Schultz, held near San Diego, CA. Since no one on the board lived close to the site of the seminar, we asked long time foundation supporter and former YTCA President, Janet Jackson, if she would attend in our behalf. Below is her report on the seminar which will also appear in the June AKC Gazette:

On March 28 I attended the Safer Pet Vaccination and Health Care seminar in Del Mar. California on behalf of the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 corporation benefiting Yorkshire Terriers. Speakers were Dr. Jean Dodds who consults nationally and internationally on hematology, immunology, endocrinology and holistic medicine along with Dr. Ron Schultz, US Representative of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group and Board Member of the 2003 and 2006 American Animal Hospital Association Task Forces and the AAFP Feline Task Force. Dr Shultz has been working on vaccines since the 1960’s and is currently in his fourth year working on the “Rabies Challenge” study.

This seminar and fund raiser was well attended with a diverse audience including veterinarians, breeders, rescue workers, and pet owners. Vets and vet techs were allowed 6 hours of continuing education credit. This is a worthwhile cause since it has now been proven that our dogs and cats do develop lasting immunity from puppy and young adult vaccinations but only through these scientific studies will we be able to have enough proof to change existing laws. Dr. Shultz also stressed that our veterinary colleges are behind on immunology teaching to new veterinarians and that this is an area that needs a lot of improvement. He also stressed that if one’s veterinarian is not open to discuss new vaccine protocols it might be time to find a new vet!

Some interesting highlights of the seminar would include: All puppies need their core vaccines, CDV, CDV-2,, CAV-2 plus the rabies vaccine. The rabies vaccine should not be given sooner than 2 weeks after the last puppy shot. The last puppy shot should be at around 16 weeks. The recommended protocol can be found at www.aahanet.org. A one year booster is recommended unless you do a titer test. Both Dr’s do not seem to recommend any extra vaccinations such as lepto or lyme disease unless it is a problem in your particular area. These killed vaccines do not provide permanent immunity as do the core vaccines. Our dogs also develop their own immunities as they grow older due to exposure. A dog can become infected and we might not even know it as there is a difference in becoming infected and actually having the disease. For instance, one might give the intranasal bordetella vaccine to young show dogs but they should develop their own immunity due to exposure as they mature.

A vaccine will not cause an autoimmune response but can trigger one in a genetically predisposed animal. These animals must be carefully monitored and any future vaccines may cause more reactions or further damage. They should not be bred. Interestingly though, neutered animals are more prone to vaccine reactions than those that are sexually intact.

*In light of the ‘challenge’ offered at the seminar to match any donations received, the Foundation has contributed an additional $500 to this worthwhile cause. Our contribution will be matched dollar for dollar increasing our total contribution to $4,000 (plus the matching $500) to equal $4,500. Thank you, Janet, for attending the seminar and so graciously agreeing to submit your report.

Please take the foundation ‘challenge’ and go visit our updated website at

www.yorkiehealthfoundation.org. We welcome your comments.

Sincerely,

Mary Trimble, VA, President	Linda Grimm, FL, Director
Doreen Hubbard, WA, Vice President	Suzette Heider, FL, Director
Sharon McCadam, WA, Secretary	LaDonna Reno, MO, Director
Deloras Maas, MI, Treasurer	Gloria Bloch Robinson, FL, Director
	Jacqueline Spencer, VA, Director

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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 under our education sub-heading or press here

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 see 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 this 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,

Mary Trimble, VA, President	Linda Grimm, FL, Director
Doreen Hubbard, WA, Vice President	Suzette Heider, FL, Director
Sharon McCadam, WA, Secretary	LaDonna Reno, MO, Director
Deloras Maas, MI, Treasurer	Gloria Bloch Robinson, FL, Director
	Jacqueline Spencer, VA, Di

The YTCA Foundation is a separate 501 C 3 charitable organization for the health and genetic concerns of the Yorkshire Terrier. Contributions are deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. It is NOT a breeder referral.

Please note that this web site is intended as a source of information only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional care. Always consult with your Veterinarian about health related matters. The information provided here is a brief outline only of some of the health issues which may be of concern for the Yorkshire Terrier breed and should not be considered as a complete listing.