Staffordshire Terrier Club of America - Health Committee
STCA Health Awards- Health Committee Fundraisers
IMPORTANT - Current Health Survey- Submitting Blood Samples for Ataxia Research
- Ataxia Update (Jan 2008)
Dr. Olby's Cerebellar Ataxia Presentation (2006)- Wobbly Dogs (2006)
- Amstaff Ataxia FAQs (2004)
- Spinocerebellar/Hereditary Ataxia (2004)
- Ataxia Update (2003)
Signs of Ataxia Video- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
Chairperson: Faith Beiser
Members: Sharon Gregory, Sandy Underwood, Heidi McClure, Linn Cabral
Contact: health@amstaff.org
The mission of the STCA health committee is to:
- Identify diseases and ailments of the American Staffordshire Terrier
- Provide funding for health research projects beneficial to our breed
- Provide support and information for owners needing help in a health crisis situation
- Educate breeders and owners on diseases of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the importance of utilizing available health tests
- Acknowledge breeders and owners participating in health screenings
New Update on Genetic Test for Cerebellar Ataxia in American Staffordshire Terriers - September 12th 2008
I do have some more information I can share with you all about this test. The burning questions people are asking are "How good is the test?" and "Will it become available in the US?"
Taking the first question first - How good is the test? Scientific work is evaluated when data is submitted in a manuscript for publication by a journal. Following submission, the journal editors send the manuscript to external reviewers who read it and give their opinion on its value. The editors' decision on whether to publish the work is based on these reviews and once published, of course everyone can read it and judge for themselves. This has not yet taken place for this work but will in the near future. Until that time the French group have asked me not to reveal specifics of the research, and it is fair to say that the external review process has not yet occurred. However, there are a few things I can say. Firstly, working independently, both my group and the French group identified the same chromosomal region, and narrowed the disease down to the same handful of genes. It seems unlikely that two separate research groups would reach that same point if the research was incorrect. Secondly, the data they have shared with me suggests the test is very sensitive and specific.
The second question is very pertinent to you all - (Will a test become available in the US?) and the answer to that question is yes, it is possible that the test will become available right here in the US. When I get more specific information on this I will pass it on. Crossing the Atlantic is not a limiting step in DNA testing: for instance, Labrador breeders have been used to have their dogs tested in France for 3 years -- for a myopathy called CNM - with no problem or additional delays.
Natasha Olby
IMPORTANT NEW UPDATE!
Update on Genetic Test for Cerebellar Ataxia in American Staffordshire Terriers - September 8th 2008
Update on Genetic Test for Cerebellar Ataxia in American Staffordshire Terriers - September 8th 2008
Exciting news! Antagene has announced that there is now a genetic test available to detect affected dogs and carriers of cerebellar ataxia in American Staffordshire terriers. A group in France led by Dr. Marie Abitbol has developed this test and I started working with them recently when we both realized we were looking at the same chromosomal region for the underlying problem. We have shared DNA samples, and we do know the American dogs have the same genetic marker of the disease as the French dogs. We don't know how reliable this test is yet because it is very new and this type of specific information has not been made available. We do know that dogs with the genetic mutation can exhibit very different severities of signs with onset at very different ages. As we get more information on this, we will be sure to share it with you all so keep watching the website for updates. For now, you can go to the website below to find information on the test. This text is in French and it is a news release by the company on the test.
If you go to http://www.antagene.com you will reach the main web page of the company and you can click on a link at the top of the page for English. You can navigate through their pages and see for example how a sample is submitted for the other diseases they test for. The test is not yet listed as being available under the English subheading. Again I would note that this is a very recent development and we will continue to post new information as it becomes available. Keep watching the health web page because we will post all updates there.
Thank you to everyone for your support of my work on this devastating disease. I am so glad that we may now have a test that will help the breed to eliminate this problem from these fine dogs.
Natasha Olby
Update on Research into the Genetic Cause of Hereditary Ataxia in American Staffordshire Terriers
August 2008
This is a brief update to let you know that we are continuing to make good progress with our research into Hereditary Ataxia in American Staffordshire Terriers. Since our last update in January, we have closed in on the cause and I am optimistic that the cause and a genetic test will be available by the end of the year. We are collaborating with a group in France led by Dr Marie Abitbol to achieve this end. Please keep watching the Amstaff Health Webpage for updates.
Over the last 3 years we have followed many dogs as their signs have progressed and we now have a much more complete picture of the range of signs that can be shown. As we have stated before, the initial signs are usually subtle loss of balance, difficulty cornering, falling when shaking the head, and when the head is lifted up. However, we can also see whole body jerks, particularly when resting, and approximately 5% of dogs do have generalized seizures, in addition to the other signs of loss of balance. As the signs progress, most dogs seem to have difficulty initiating movement, and might topple over as they try to move. They also develop a gentle body sway when at rest. Many people have contacted me over the years to ask me whether I think their dogÕs signs might fit with this devastating disease. Please continue to do this and if possible, send me a videotape of their signs. I might be slow to reply, because I get many e mails, but I will reply eventually. Thank you all for your continued dedication to this research and the health of your dogs.
Natasha Olby (natasha_olby@ncsu.edu)
