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The following article written by Cynthia Stewart, details some current Mastiff health programs and research, as well as sharing past successes brought about by the Mastiff Club of America's Health Committee. |
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ONGOING MASTIFF HEALTH PROGRAMS Progressive Retinal Atrophy During late 1990’s, the MCOA established a Health Committee to address various health/genetic problems in the breed. One of the first health problems tackled was PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), which causes blindness. Working through several independent researchers over the course of several years, researchers were able to identify the specific gene that causes PRA in mastiffs and a commercial blood test is now available. The PRA research was conducted at Cornell University’s Baker Institute for Animal Health Dr. Gregory Acland, the primary researcher. A breeding study was undertaken by Dr. Acland to determine the mode of inheritance of PRA and Dr. Acland was successful in his research. A DNA test specifically for mastiffs for the PRA gene has been successfully commercialized and has been available since June, 2001.
At least 100,000 people in the U.S. suffer vision loss and blindness from this disease.
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The Mastiff Club of America (MCOA) was incorporated in New York in 1929. The primary objective of the Mastiff Club of America, Inc. is to promote and protect the mastiff dog breed. The Club is a member club of the America Kennel Club, who recognizes the MCOA as the breed’s parent club. As of January 1, 2004 the club had approximately 900 members.
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OTHER HEALTH RESEARCH
The MCOA Health Committee is currently supporting cancer, epilepsy, cruciate ligament and cystinuria research grants through the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. As funding allows, more grants will be supported either through the AKC CHF, the Morris Animal Foundation or privately.
Cancer
The MCOA is a co-sponsor of a grant by the Canine Health Foundation to Jaime F. Modiano, VDM, PhD, AMC Cancer Research Center for Heritable and Sporadic Genetic Lesions in Canine Lymphoma and Osteosarcoma.
Cruciate Ligament
The MCOA is a co-sponsor of a grant by the Canine Health Foundation to Peter Muir, PhD, University of Wisconsin for Inhibition of Collagenolysis in Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament During Rupture.
Cystinuria
The MCOA is a co-sponsor of a grant by the Canine Health Foundation to Paula Henthorn, PhD, University of Pennsylvania for Molecular Genetic Characterization of Canine Cystinuria for the Development of Carrier Tests.
Epilepsy
The MCOA is supporting the Canine Health Foundation Epilepsy Study conducted by primary researcher, Dr. Anita Oberbauer, at University of California at Davis. As of February, 2004, over 440 DNA samples were submitted to the UC Davis study.
As funding allows, more grants will be supported either through the AKC CHF, the Morris Animal Foundation or privately.
OTHER PROGRAMS
The MCOA at its National Specialty arranges and provides health testing to its members’ dogs and other mastiffs in a low-cost, convenient forum. This is an important part of the Health Program, but does not generate any profit or loss for the club. The MCOA also provides Health Awards to its members who have had passing scores on various health tests such as hip and elbow dysplasia tests, cardiac function tests, cystinuria, PRA DNA, CERF exam to encourage healthy mastiffs to be used in breeding programs.
The Mastiff Club of America has, in the past funded its grant obligations and health programs through its General Fund, sales of special health merchandise (art prints, tee-shirts and visors), a “Health Walk”, held at it National Specialty, whereby volunteers solicit sponsor donations, and solicitation from its members during its Membership Renewal.
~ Article Written By Cynthia Stewart