syringomyelia question

[lisajazz]

Oh wow I've only just caught this - this is the saddest news ever. The chihuahua breed like ckcs? I hope not.
Lets hope that breeders do listen to sense and spay EVERY dog affected with it.
You guys on here are so good, I wish every breeder were like you and breeded ethically.
Sad

[zaccodi]

:'(Have just heard that Graham Foote has had 20 dogs scanned, all of whom have CM and half of which have SM.

I am a hobby breeder and am in the process of having all my breeding Chihuahuas scanned. Three have been done so far and I am still awaiting the results. Two more have their scans booked tomorrow.

As so many dogs share ancesters with the Ballybroke bloodline (including one of mine four generations ago), I am taking this very seriously. Unless more breeders get their breeding stock scanned, we will not know the extent of the problem in this breed.

[Lucy]

I wouldn't hold your breath for that!

[Sarah]

My understanding is that CM isn't always related to SM.

I agree with Lucy I don't think a lot of people will scan sadly. None of mine are at age to be scanned which is a problem. The dogs diagnosed aren't all Graham's breeding anyway so it's pretty hard to pin point the lines it may originate from. I think it's probably worse than we think it is which is why more so we need a DNA test. That is going to be the only way to irradiate it from the breed

[Lucy]

I agree, DNA testing is the only sure way to be able to breed it out, seeing as bitches should really be bred before 2 and the MRI's don't show much until 2 & 1/2.

Its disgusting and irresponsible that so many breeders aren't going to do it. In fact, just talking about it gets me really angry.

[Lowenchi]

I'm not going to do it. Perry could test clear but still carry it. I'm waiting till there is some better instruction as to what we should be doing. We all carry cancer cells were not going to get our boobs removed just incase. No sense in us all panicking.

[Lucy]

But what if (heaven forbid) he didn't test clear? Sorry but to me everyone SHOULD be testing. Yes, dogs that are clear can still be carriers but at least you know you'd done everything you can until a DNA test is developed and available.

To me, any breeder who uses that as an excuse is irresponsible and either putting money or their name over the health of the breed, because really that's the only two reasons someone wouldn't do it.

And really, if everyone did it, you could build up some sort of database to trace the lines and possible carries of it.

[Lucy]

Btw, not to sound petty but breast cancer isn't really a good comparison seeing as we're told to check daily for lumps and you have to start having mamograms after a certain age. I once watched a programme about these women in their 20's/30's who had breast cancer running in their family (mums, aunts, sisters etc) and they actually opted to have mastectomy because the chances of them having it were high.

I'm not saying people should do something drastic like not breeding any dogs until there's a DNA test or anything, but not testing at all, is to me, irresponsible.

I'm sorry if my opinion offends anyone but that's how I feel.