IW Health Talk
Leukodystrophy of unknown type in I.W.
I need to start of by saying I have been lucky enough to finally be able to share my life with a companion of my dreams, I have waited for an I.W. for over 20 years!
Now for the heavy hitting questions...Is there or has there been a study done on Leukodystrophy of any type in the I.W. I have read the studies on the Australian Kelpie and Krabbe disease however I can not find anything relating to the I.W. I realize this is a VERY rare disorder in both humans and animals but completely devastating nonetheless. I guess my question is geared to genetic testing and if this disorder has been identified, diagnosed or even mentioned enough to have researchers look into it with regards to the I.W. My concern is that it could be proliferated within lines when it could easily enough be eradicated within a generation or two.
Please don't think I am questioning the motive or breeder's program/lines etc. I am just a concerned owner of a beloved Wolfie companion and have seen the shattering effects of this disease, I have worked in the animal medical field for nearly 25 years and have only seen this once, thankfully, but once has been enough for me and has brought this disease to the forefront of my animal health campaigns.
I would greatly appreciate any information on starting points or anything from this I.W. community.
Thank you
Tammy
Tammy, as far as I am aware this is not prevelant in the Irish Wolfhound breed. I have not come across anything in my medical search that links the two together. I am not a breeder and do not show so maybe there's somebody else out there that may have more information than me.
Do you currently have a wolfhound with the disease?
Sincerely,
Alice Timmerman, DVM
Thank you for your reply Dr. Timmerman,
No I do not have a wolfhound with this disease however I do know someone that does, well I should say did, as she was euthanized shortly after the diagnosis. I do know a necropsy was performed and CNS samples were harvested as well as sent for further study. I was just really curious as to if anyone has heard of it in a wolfhound. I have, since the posting, found that the condition is all most always considered congenital not hereditary.
Once again thank you
