AKC CHF Parent Club Health Conference
SCOA Newsletter, Fall 2007
In October I will be attending the 2007 AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference as a representative of Saluki Health Research, Inc. At this conference, scientists present their research studies to dog breed club representatives. A focus of previous meetings was the importance of breed health surveys. Without documenting what health conditions occur in different breeds, researchers have little idea of where to focus their investigations.
Without breeder/owner input, what is available to researchers is AVAR's Guide to Genetic Diseases in Dogs. It lists the following conditions as occurring in Salukis: anesthetic idiosyncracy, behavorial abnormalities, Cataract, Corneal Dystrophy, Entropion, Hemolytic Anemia, Hypothyroidism, Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, Persistent pupillary membrane, Progressive retinal atrophy, Retinal detachment, Retinal dysplasia, Thrombocytopenia and von Willebrand's disease. What is the incidence of these in our Salukis? What other conditions occur?
The SCOA Health Committee has put a lot of effort into formulating a comprehensive health survey intended to identify health problems in the Saluki. It is available on the SCOA website or I can mail copies. The resulting data will help the SCOA and SHR, Inc. set priorities for future health related research through the CHF and other organizations.
The Saluki Health Survey is long and quite inclusive. If you don't have time to fill out information on diet, litters, or don't want to remember a death, etc., please consider at least completing the Disease Information section. Part V, question 10 just needs to be checked if your dog has had any of the listed conditions and should not take long. Questions 10 and 11 (What do you think are the top 5 current health related issues in the Saluki?) will yield the most useful information.
Please take the time to fill out the health survey or at least questions 10 and 11 and return it to me. Completing this survey shows your concern for the health and future welfare of our special breed.
MaryDee Sist, DVM for SHR, Inc. salukihealth@aol.com