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Location: U K
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,588
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Research re: Boxer congenital kidney disease
As some of you may know, there are ongoing problems with Some Boxers & congenital kidney disease. In this type the dog rarely survives beyond 2 years & usually dies much younger. A Genealogist is undertaking research to try & find the gene responsible for this awful problem working in conjunction with a specialist Vet (Professor in Glasgow)
We were approached through Dogsey by another Boxer owner/breeder who is friends with the Genealogist carrying out the research & asked if we would consider Katie taking part in the research. You had to supply the dogs pedigree & blood samples & send off to the Genealogist. Initially the Vet in Glasgow said Katie was not suitable as at 6 she was too old & it was some other kind of kidney disease that she had, this was despite the fact she has had problems from we got her. Her breeder was very helpful & said he would help in any way he could.
We were disappointed initially as we had hoped to help by taking part in this research to try & make sure dogs of the future didnt have to go through what was happening to Katie & also to make *some sense out of this awful disease. So we have just got on with it & try to make life as easy & comfortable for Katie as we can. It isnt always easy as she can be so sick at times. She gets frightened & chokes being sick & it totally exhausts her - there isnt that much of her
Earlier this week we heard from the Genealogist, he has since come across another *Boxer with congenital kidney disease who has survived well beyond expectancy at 4 years. He thought they may have been too quick to rule Katie out of the research
We talked it over with the vet we now use since we moved. *He pointed out it wouldn't help Katie & we said we knew that but it was to try & help others in the future. So today Katie got blood taken & the vet is very kindly sending it off to the Genealogist for us. I also have to commend the vet as he only charged us a standard Consultant fee to do it.
On the way home my poor little poppet was very very sick in the car - she is sensitive in the fact having blood drawn frightens her. Unfortunately to monitor her condition she will need bloodwork done every six months
If you have a Boxer with kidney disease or know someone who has, please ask them to contact the Genealogist doing the research *- Dr Cattanach can be contacted by email or telephone
bcattanach@steynmere.freeserve.co.uk
01235 835410