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A DNA test for Copper Toxicosis in Bedlington Terriers
Copper Toxicosis.
A DNA-test for CT in the Bedlington Terrier.
Copper Toxicosis (CT) is a so-called "late-onset-disease". By the time it is
noticed that an animal suffers from the disease it is often three years or older; there have
been even animals with CT that where not detected before the age of seven. Up to a few
years ago, dogs could only be tested for CT by taking liver biopsy samples when they
were one year or older. The liver biopsy technique makes it possible to identify CT
-affected dogs but there is no way to identify CT carriers with this technique.
With the DNA-test we can identify all three genotypes. The disorder is inherited as an autosomal
recessive trait. In other words, affected animals have two mutant genes, one inherited from
each parent. Carriers have only one mutant gene and do not show clinical signs. Applying the
DNA test allows breeders to classify their potential breeding animals at a young age as
genetically healthy ("clear"), "carrier" or "affected" in order to select effectively against
the genetic disorder.
The CT DNA test yields three possible outcomes:
-
Your dog is clear (and has two healthy alleles: CT/CT), it will not suffer
from the complications of Copper Toxicosis and, just as important, it will not pass on
the defect (the defective allele) to the next generation.
-
Your dog is a carrier (and has one healthy allele and one defective one: CT/ct),
it will not suffer from Copper Toxicosis but it will pass on the defective allele to
half of its offspring.
-
Your dog is affected (and has two defective alleles: ct/ct), it will pass
on the defective allele to all of its offspring in the next generation and it will be expected
to experience the disadvantages of the disease at a few years of age. So it is one of the
animals that will suffer from Copper Toxicosis.
Breeds at risk.
Breeding policy.
Testing for CT.
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