Health Tests
Even if you are only looking for a Siberian as a pet, and have no intention of working or showing him or her, you should make sure you buy a puppy from hip scored and eye tested parents. Not only for the future health of your dog, but the health of your bank balance too! ALL responsible breeders test their breeding stock. The only reason not to do so is either that it cuts (a tiny bit) into their profits, or that they already know they have a problem in their lines, and care so little for the puppies they produce and their new owners, that they continue to breed from dogs with genetic problems.
The Club Code of Ethics states ‘Copies of the results should be made available to the Breed Health Secretary and these may be made publicly available.’
HIP SCORING
Hip Dysplasia (HD) is a condition where the ball joint at the top of the femur doesn’t fit properly into its socket in the pelvis. As the puppy grows up, it will begin to have problems walking, which will become more and more painful. Depending on the degree of the problem, an expensive operation may be required, but many dogs with HD end up being put to sleep at a shockingly young age.
The hips of Siberians are still generally pretty good, due to the fact that, until the recent explosion in popularity, the majority of them in this country were working dogs, where soundness is hugely important. Even if they don’t work their dogs, every responsible breeder will have their dogs hip scored before they are first bred from. In the event of an “accidental” mating, both parents should be hip scored and eye tested before the puppies are sold, to give buyers the chance to make an informed choice, and insure the puppies if they still want to risk buying one.
Hip scoring is done by sending an x-ray off to the British Veterinary Association, for examination by a panel of experts. Points are given to 9 features of the hip, and these are added up to give a score – the lower the better. The average hip score for Siberians is 7, and this is the total for BOTH hips. The score is written as two figures – one for each hip – to be added together, such as 0/1 or 3/4 for example. If the parents hip scores are significantly higher than this, it is not a particularly good sign and you may want to look elsewhere for a puppy.
Environmental factors can worsen the condition but never cause it. Dogs that appear to have perfectly normal hips can still carry the genes for HD, but strict scoring of all dogs before breeding, and consistently using those who are below the breed average gives the best chance of avoiding this crippling and heartbreaking condition.
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EYE TESTING
It is essential that all Siberians are tested for several inherited eye diseases. Breeders should retest every year, or at least before each litter, as cataracts can sometimes develop later in life, after previously clear tests. If a breeder cannot show you a BVA or Club Scheme certificate showing a clear result from a recent test, for your own good, please walk away from that litter. Pets should also be eye tested – a failed test will allow you to be alert to the symptoms of whichever condition your dog is at risk of, and to get early treatment. The test is done by a BVA ophthalmologist, who will put drops into the dog’s eyes and examine them using a special scope or contact lens.
Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure of the fluid inside the eyeball becomes too high. There are drainage channels within the eye and if these are too narrow, or blocked, it means that it is much more likely that the fluid will be unable to circulate and the dog will develop glaucoma. A dog with abnormal drainage channels is said to be “predisposed” to glaucoma.
An attack of glaucoma may start with the pupil in the affected eye dilating – becoming much larger than the one in the other eye. The dog will be in great pain, crying and pawing at his eye. You need to get to a vet immediately, as the longer it takes to get treatment, the worse the outcome usually is. Eventually the eyeball may have to be removed.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM JANUARY 2018, THE SCORING FOR GLAUCOMA WILL CHANGE FROM AFFECTED /UNAFFECTED TO A SYSTEM OF GRADED SCORING. FULL DETAILS CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.
BREEDING ADVICE HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE KC/BVA. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR FULL
Hereditary Cataract Siberians can carry a gene which causes cataracts, a clouding of the lens which prevents light entering and seriously affects the eyesight, causing blindness in severe cases.
A typical eye examination certificate
SHCGB Eye Testing Results 2012
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BVA EYE SCHEME EXPLAINED
FIND A BVA APPROVED EYE PANELLIST
FIND AN APPROVED EUROPEAN EYE PANELLIST (ECVO Listing)
Note to all Members
2016 saw a change to the Code of Ethics with regards to eye testing voted on by a significant majority at the AGM. Members are now required to have a current clear eye test within 12 months prior to mating for a litter.
The Code of Ethics health section now reads as follows:
20) Will undertake to screen dogs prior to mating as follows:
a. Eye tested for hereditary cataracts (HC), primary glaucoma (PG), PPM and any other eye defects that should become included within Schedule A or B of the BVA/KC/ISDS eye scheme. A current annual eye certificate must be held prior to mating (i.e.: the test must have been conducted no more than 12 months prior to the date of mating.)
b. Examined for the control of Hip Dysplasia under the BVA/KC scheme for UK KC registered dogs. Non UK bred dogs must be examined under the approved relevant scheme in the country of residence or, if imported to the UK, should be tested under the BVA/KC scheme if not already tested in the country of origin.
c. Copies of the results should be made available to the Breed Health Secretary and these may be made publicly available.
21) Will not breed from stock that is affected by Hereditary Cataracts, pre-disposition to Primary Glaucoma or, where identified, PRA and will endeavour to ensure that all puppies produced through their breeding will be tested as identified in Item 20 before they are bred from. If another hereditary problem occurs in their bloodlines, they will be honest and open about it to ensure that it is not knowingly perpetuated in the Breed.
Although not currently included in the Code of Ethics, a recommendation has recently been publicised by the Kennel Club (September 2016, who now advise Gonioscopy testing to be carried out every 3 years.
AHT/KC GIVE A DOG A GENOME PROJECT
2016 saw an exciting step forward for Siberian Husky health with the SHCGB working together with the Animal Health Trust as we joined the AHT/KC Give a Dog A Genome Project. This project aims to sequence the DNA of 75 breeds of which with donation from the SHCGB, the Siberian Husky is 1 of those breeds.
The 3 health concerns that have been outlined to them were voted on by the SHCGB membership and were Hereditary Cataracts, Glaucoma and Lymphoma. Details of the project can be found on their website: http://www.aht.org.uk/gdg
The first health concern to be looked into by them will be Hereditary Cataracts. In addition to the full DNA sequencing of 1 dog they are also looking for further dogs to collect data from that meet one of the following criteria:
• Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies or Samoyed’s that have been diagnosed as AFFECTED with Hereditary Cataracts
• Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies or Samoyed’s that are over the age of 6 years and who hold a current eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist and are CLEAR of cataracts.
If you own a dog that you think might fit either of these criteria and would like to contribute to the study, please contact: chris.jenkins@aht.org.uk, or
Tel: 01638 751000 x1251 and he will send you a cheek swab collection kit free of charge.
Once received, all you need to do is follow the simple instructions for collecting DNA samples and return the cheek swab kit to them, along with a copy of your dog’s eye certificate.
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