CavalierCampaign.com
Campaign to improve the health of Pedigree Dogs
My Campaign - Kennel Club
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and I also visited the Kennel Club in 2006 and met with Dr Jeff Sampson and Caroline Kisko. Dr Sampson also later visited me at home. On both occasions it was very clear to me that my concern about Cavaliers and Syringomyelia was not taken seriously. Ms Kisko described Syringomyelia as a ‘newly emerging problem’ and did not believe it to be widespread. The Kennel Club representatives at that time did not support the MRI screening of breeding dogs.
It was implied that I did not understand science and similarly the Companion Animal Welfare Council’s Report on Breeding and Welfare (2006) was dismissed as ‘unscientific’. Dr Clare Rusbridge’s Syringomyelia DNA Research was also not fully acknowledged or supported. The Kennel Club’s Breed Health Survey conducted in 2004 was presented to me as ‘real’ science, although its findings were based on 306 returns mainly from breeders (not pet owners) and on its front cover was a warning that the survey ‘should be treated with caution’. Furthermore in 2004 there was widespread denial of the seriousness of Syringomyelia amongst Cavalier breeders.
However, since the Royal Veterinary College CKCS SM conference in 2006, and the Rugby International Symposium on Syringomyelia in 2007, the Kennel Club has supported further research into Syringomyelia and is funding Dr Sarah Blott and Dr Tom Lewis' Estimated breeding Values Research at the Animal Health Trust. This brings together Clare Rusbridge and Guy Rouleau's DNA research and the work of Sarah Blott.
Eventually, it is hoped that accurate estimated breeding values (EBVs) will be available for all Cavaliers. When the genes/gene markers for SM have been identified the EBVs can be converted to genetic breeding values (geBVs), but this depends of course on the full co-operation and disclosure of MRI and phenotypic data from breeders.
Much has happened since 2008. The KC has supported the creation of official BVA/KC screening schemes for CM/SM and Mitral Valve Disease (MVD). We are still waiting for any news at all about the Heart scheme, but the CM/SM is ready to be launched (Spring 2011). Unfortunately Cavalier breed clubs are protesting about the publication of the results of the CM/SM scheme and there will be further delay.
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