Shaking Puppy Syndrome/SLEM Results and Their Interpretation
With the launch of a new DNA test for SLEM we are now in a position to make better informed choices when mating our dogs. Knowing the genetic status of the proposed parents allows us to avoid the risk of producing puppies clinically affected by this distressing condition.
SLEM is caused by a recessive gene meaning that in order for a puppy to be clinically affected it has to inherit a copy of the gene from both parents.
There are three possible results to the DNA test:
AFFECTED
The animal has two copies of the gene mutation, one inherited from each parent. Current knowledge would suggest that these animals show clinical signs very early in life and most do not survive. Those which do should not be bred from.
CLEAR
The animal is free of the defective gene. The offspring of two clear parents will be automatically (hereditarily) clear.
A clear will not produce affected pups no matter what the genetic status of its mate but if mated to an untested dog or to a carrier the resulting pups must either be tested to ensure that they are not carriers or a KC breeding endorsement* placed on each sold puppy until the status of the dog is established.
CARRIER
The dog has one normal copy of the gene and one defective copy. It will, itself, be clinically normal but if mated to another carrier there is the risk of producing affected pups. On average, across many litters, 25% of the pups will be affected, 25% will be clear and 50% will appear normal but will be carriers of the gene.
With the advent of DNA testing, carriers may safely be bred from. If they are quality animals there is no need to remove them from a breeding programme and at this stage it would be unwise to do so to reduce the risk of adversely affecting genetic diversity and possibly increasing the prevalence of other inherited conditions.
Carriers should only be mated to animals which have tested clear, never to other carriers or those of unknown status. If mated to a clear, all the pups will be clinically normal but they must be tested to ascertain which are carriers or a KC breeding endorsement* placed on each sold puppy until the status of the dog is established.
Ideally both prospective parents should be tested but at a practical level we know that if one of them has tested clear no affected pups will be born. However, in those circumstances either testing of the second parent should be carried out later to ascertain its status or a KC breeding endorsement* placed on each sold puppy until the status of the dog is established. Either method will ensure the genetic status of the resulting progeny can be established before they are considered for breeding.
(*KC breeding endorsements can be placed on a dog by the breeder to prevent its progeny being KC registered. To be effective, the person placing the endorsement must still have the dog in his or her possession and the existence of the endorsement must be acknowledged in writing by the new owner, at a date on or before the dog is physically transferred.)
TEST RESULTS
Test results for UK Kennel Club Registered dogs can be found at :
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/for-breeders/dna-screening-schemes-and-results/dna-screening-for-breeds-a-b/border-terrier-dna-screening/
The following list of overseas dogs submitted to the UK Breed Health Co-ordinator has been reproduced with the permission of the animals’ owners:-
Please click here to view list of overseas dogs
SLEM is caused by a recessive gene meaning that in order for a puppy to be clinically affected it has to inherit a copy of the gene from both parents.
There are three possible results to the DNA test:
AFFECTED
The animal has two copies of the gene mutation, one inherited from each parent. Current knowledge would suggest that these animals show clinical signs very early in life and most do not survive. Those which do should not be bred from.
CLEAR
The animal is free of the defective gene. The offspring of two clear parents will be automatically (hereditarily) clear.
A clear will not produce affected pups no matter what the genetic status of its mate but if mated to an untested dog or to a carrier the resulting pups must either be tested to ensure that they are not carriers or a KC breeding endorsement* placed on each sold puppy until the status of the dog is established.
CARRIER
The dog has one normal copy of the gene and one defective copy. It will, itself, be clinically normal but if mated to another carrier there is the risk of producing affected pups. On average, across many litters, 25% of the pups will be affected, 25% will be clear and 50% will appear normal but will be carriers of the gene.
With the advent of DNA testing, carriers may safely be bred from. If they are quality animals there is no need to remove them from a breeding programme and at this stage it would be unwise to do so to reduce the risk of adversely affecting genetic diversity and possibly increasing the prevalence of other inherited conditions.
Carriers should only be mated to animals which have tested clear, never to other carriers or those of unknown status. If mated to a clear, all the pups will be clinically normal but they must be tested to ascertain which are carriers or a KC breeding endorsement* placed on each sold puppy until the status of the dog is established.
Ideally both prospective parents should be tested but at a practical level we know that if one of them has tested clear no affected pups will be born. However, in those circumstances either testing of the second parent should be carried out later to ascertain its status or a KC breeding endorsement* placed on each sold puppy until the status of the dog is established. Either method will ensure the genetic status of the resulting progeny can be established before they are considered for breeding.
(*KC breeding endorsements can be placed on a dog by the breeder to prevent its progeny being KC registered. To be effective, the person placing the endorsement must still have the dog in his or her possession and the existence of the endorsement must be acknowledged in writing by the new owner, at a date on or before the dog is physically transferred.)
TEST RESULTS
Test results for UK Kennel Club Registered dogs can be found at :
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/for-breeders/dna-screening-schemes-and-results/dna-screening-for-breeds-a-b/border-terrier-dna-screening/
The following list of overseas dogs submitted to the UK Breed Health Co-ordinator has been reproduced with the permission of the animals’ owners:-
Please click here to view list of overseas dogs