I am looking into Cruciate Ligament disease in the Leavitt Bulldog - It is a crippling diseases and will leave the dog unable to walk properly and in most cases need very invasive, painful surgery.
I have spent the last week or so thoroughly researching and speaking to specialists all over the world. As i believe this condition could possibly be genetic. The reason I say this is that there is increasing evidence that shows a genetic link to the problem, and the patterns that I have seen in our breed are pointing that way too .
There are a few studies at the moment that are trying to identify the gene that causes this particularly in Newfoundland dog, and i have spoken to some of the geneticists working on the gene mapping.
I can’t take it much further without other breeders coming forward and providing details of dogs that have suffered with this condition to see how prominent it is in our breed, if we can see any patterns and get some clue as to the lines affected, also to see if at this stage it is worth us investigating further .
The Leavitt Bulldog has always been ahead of the times when it comes to health testing, if we can help progress and potentially help find a test that can identify this condition I think it would be a really positive step for the breed.
What i am asking for at this point is just figures - I want to get an idea of the amount of dogs that have been effected by this condition.
If you can help please email me all the details of the dog, age when the condition started, breeding etc any information that you feel relevant.
i just looked into it jess! and from me this is very new to me in this breed as my dogs as yours do alot of running,jumping ect ect and my land is rather up hill or down hill they hav it each other at time that it hert me but they are all good but like laure said what you need just howler! happy to help in anything,dog ped with this would be intresting to compare how the dogs are breed (linebreed ect ect) and to compare my peds i know if i can point to the problem
I have had quite a good response from owners - I wanted to see how likely the chance of this condition being hereditary - It defiantly is in some breeds, but even though there are a few cases in the LB i don't think it is a much as a problem as other breeds...
I have found some interesting info about collagen deficiency which is easily avoided by supplementing with Vit c that will help strengthen ligaments and muscles.
Particularly if a young pup suffers a virus that effects the immune systems during the crucial growth period for example kennel cough... For a number of reason this can sometimes have a direct effect on collagen production in turn creating a potential weakness in ligaments - All this is avoidable with Vit C supplements.
I currently have a bedside table piled high with articles and studies on cruciate ligament disease - I think i have been dreaming about it lol.... I will continue to try and learn all i can, if anyone has any more info on the condition let me know :-)
on March 22, 2012, 3:06 pm