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Leaflet on ILPN - Inherited Leonberger Polyneuropathy Definition Symtomes
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Paralysis of the vocal ligaments =
larynx paralysis (LP)
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Intense respiratory noise, coughing
after eating or drinking, hoarse and changed barking, breathlessness.
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PN (Polyneuropathia)
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Uncoordinated hind leg, limping with
hind legs with trailing of the toenails, cock's treadle, weak hint leg,
amyotrophia. Appearance
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Before the first year of life =
early ILPN, fast worsening
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After five years = late ILPN, slowly
worsening Progress Degeneration of the nervus peronaeus of the hint leg and
caused by this the non adequate stimulation of the muscles which results in
minimized muscles of the hint leg. The
dog looses power and agility, stumbles and buckles. The dog does not suffer from pain, but from
the lesser quality of life. There is no
possibility to cure. The paralysis of the vocal cords
embeds the danger of swallowing and as a consequence aspiration pneumonia shows
up and finally suffocation! Distribution The Leonberger PN occurs in all
countries. Unfortunately the destructive
genes are not yet known and thus they way of the inheritance still lays in the
dark. Countries with a tight genetic
basis (inbreeding/line breeding), show more PN-cases. Research project USA/CH The USA started their breeding with
some dogs from Europe. Their genetic
basis was not as wide spread as in Europe.
Thus, it was there when die inheritance of the disease was first
detected. In the year 2000 Ms. Dr. D.
Shelton began her research on ILPN and published some articles. 2007 the Vetsuisse University of
Berne started the research, mainly with diseased Swiss Leonberger. Today the USA and Switzerland are jointly
researching for the causal gene or genes. The goal of their work is a DNA-test
that enables dog owners and breeders to detect bearers or PN-free dogs. Blood samples The blood and the anamnesis of dogs
with PN-symptoms are the basis for the research, but also the blood of healthy
dogs is helpful. The genome is analyzed
by latest means. Berne but also
Minnesota very urgently need blood samples.
The addresses of Berne and the USA are stated in the attachment. Biopsy The most secure diagnosis is only
possible from biopsies of the nervus
peronaeus and the musculus tibialis
cranialis. These biopsies can be
taken by experienced neurosurgeons from a vivid dog or post mortem (after the
death of the Leo). The neuropathological
institutes of Prof. Dr. D. Shelton, San Diego and Prof. Dr. Th. Bilzer,
Düsseldorf, can detect mutations of the sample.
For the purpose of comparison also samples of healthy dogs are very
important. Genetic test and breed planning
If
a DNA-test can
be developed, we will be able to detect whether
the Leo is a bearer or PN-free. The
moment we will have a reliable test, all dogs used for breeding will have to
pass this test before used for breeding.
In order to gain control over this disease it is necessary that in the
near future only PN-bearers and PN-free dogs may be mate. PN-ill dogs have to be excluded. The moment there will be enough PN-free Leos,
the breeding with PN-bearers will be forbidden.
Genetisists say that this is the way to
eliminate this disease within 2 - 3 generations. Since 2009, the Swiss breeding regulations require blood samples from all stud dogs and their offsprings. The time a reliable DNA-test will be available, all blood samples, stored in Berne, will be examined and the result announced to the dog owner. More info: http://leonbergerunion.com
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