Page 105 - The Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi Worldwide Magazine

help to detect this condition before it causes
significant problems, though it's rare in Corgis. 6. Hereditary Deafness:

3. Von Willebrand Disease: Deafness can be hereditary in some lines of
Welsh Corgis. Genetic tests can help identify

This is a blood clotting disorder that can dogs carrying the mutation related to deafness.
cause excessive bleeding. Genetic testing can This might be linked to issues related to the
determine if a dog carries the gene responsible merle coat in Cardigans.
for this disease. This is a case where genetics
are crucial as a tool for avoiding breeding with
affected individuals and eliminating the disease 7. Hereditary Eye Problems:
from the breed's gene pool or at least keeping
it under control, preventing the possibility of Some eye problems, like retinal dysplasia or
producing affected dogs easy way. primary lens luxation, can be hereditary in this
breed. Genetic tests can detect these conditions
before they cause serious visual problems.
4. Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): Progressive retinal atrophy is the most common
of the eye diseases tested, with rapid detection
This is a neuromuscular disease that affects and, more importantly, quick solutions. But
Welsh Corgis and some other breeds. Genetic there are also other eye problems specifically
tests can theoretically identify carriers and associated with the merle gene in Cardigans.
help prevent breeding affected individuals.
However, the genetics of the disease are not It's important to note that genetic tests can
straightforward, and it seems to be more about identify the predisposition to these diseases,
predisposition or the possibility of having it. but they don't guarantee that a dog will develop
Given that it's a disease typically seen in older them. Working with a veterinarian and a
animals, some doubt the accuracy of genetic responsible breeder who conducts appropriate
tests in this case. An animal can be genetically genetic tests can help reduce the risk of
affected and not suffer from the disease due to hereditary diseases in Welsh Corgis.
other gene interactions. So, the need for this test
and its application to the breed as a whole is not In general, genetic testing allows breeders to
definitive, as it seems to be highly prevalent in reduce the spread of hereditary diseases and work
Corgis without significant clinical presentation. towards better health and longer lifespans for the
breed. Breeders and Corgi owners can receive
specific genetic advice to make informed decisions
5. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): about breeding and caring for their dogs.

Welsh Corgis are theoretically prone to spine Continuing research is crucial to improve the
problems due to their body length and structure. understanding and management of genetic
Genetic tests can help identify if a dog has a diseases, so it's important to stay informed
higher risk of developing intervertebral disc about the latest developments in this field.
problems. Premature disc degeneration and its However, veterinary and genetic research is an
association with specific dog breeds have been ever-evolving field, and new advances can occur
recognized for a long time. While preliminary anytime. Does this mean we'll never achieve a
data from studies implicate overexpression of breed that's healthy enough?
FGF4 as a major factor in IVDD, it also highlights
gaps in our understanding of this complex and In the context of Welsh Corgis and other breeds,
multifactorial disease. It's important to handle genetic testing has advanced significantly in
genetic information with caution in the face of recent years. Some of the new applications of
the natural confusion with purely mechanical or genetic testing, in addition to the specific tests
multifactorial causes. we've detailed earlier, include:

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