Wheaten Health Australia Project
A Genetic Research Program in Partnership with the University of Sydney & Supported By the Australian National Kennel Club
This project was officially launched in Sydney on 12 April 2009.
It is governed by a National Council designed in accordance with representation
of states and territories as consistent with ANKC structures.
WHAP is sponsored by the three official SCWT clubs in Australasia (New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria).
The SCWT Society of NSW is presently the only fully-affiliated club in Australasia.
Queensland and Victoria are moving towards similar status.
WHAP also involves one delegate from New Zealand.
Most contemporary pure dog breeds suffer from illnesses and diseases, some of which may be fatal.
The SCWT is not exception to this.
The most serious diseases affecting SCWTs in Australasia are Renal Dysplasia (RD), Protein Losing Entropathy (PLE)
and Protein Losing Neuropathy (PLN), which are all potentially fatal.
However, the incidence of these diseases over the past 30 years is around 1 to 2 % of the total population.
Less serious diseases include Hip Dysplasia (HD) and Ectopic Ureter.
In other parts of the world Addison’s Disease (AD) is problematic, but there have been no known incidences of
this disease in Australasia.
Our goal is to collect DNA blood and tissue samples of SCWTs, store and analyse them with a view to contributing
data to the SCWTCA Genome Project (USA) and the pANCA Project in the UK.
Australian breeders have also started “harvesting DNA tissue” from necropsies like our US colleagues.
This international collaboration seeks to identify a marker gene which will identify carriers of protein losing diseases in SCWTs.
These diseases are still a small in percent (< 2%) in the Australasian sub-population but are higher in other parts of the world.
At this stage genetic researchers have not been able to identify their mode of transmission.
Update: As of September 2009 the DNA from approximately 30 soft coated wheaten terriers has been collected. The next field days are to be held in Canberra on 22 November 2009 and in Melbourne on a date to be announced.
In addition to breeders and owners of SCWTs throughout Australasia, we are also keen to involve canine administrators, practicing vets and representatives of other official breed clubs who are struggling with or have resolved serious health problems in their breeds.
If you would like information about WHAP please contact the convenor using the form below.
|
