Hereditary Nephropathy  (FN)*

Breed

English Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel

FN-The disease

The Familial or Hereditary Nephropathy (FN) is a juvenile-onset fatal kidney disease in English Cocker Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels. The renal disease caused by FN invariably is progressive and ultimately fatal. Dogs with FN typically develop chronic renal failure between 6 month and 2 years of age, with eventual and sometimes rapid destruction of both kidneys. The first clinical signs are excessive water consumption, growth rate or loss in weight, reduced appetite, and vomiting.

The mutation and inheritance

FN in English Cocker and Springer Spaniel is caused by a type IV collagen defect, which can be detected by a mutation-based gene test.

FN is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. So there are three conditions a dog can be: it can be clear (genotype N/N or homozygous normal) meaning that it does not carry the mutation and will not develop FN. Since it also cannot pass the mutation onto its offspring, it can be mated to any other dog.

A dog which has one copy of the gene with the mutation and one copy without the mutation is called a carrier or heterozygous (genotype N/FN); while it will not be affected by FN, it can pass the mutation onto its offspring and should therefore only be mated to clear dogs.
Dogs that develop FN have two gene copies with the mutation (genotype FN/FN or homozygous affected); they will always pass the mutated gene onto their offspring and should also be mated only to clear dogs.

FN-The DNA test

By DNA testing, the responsible mutation can be shown directly. This method provides a test with a very high accuracy and can be done at any age. It offers the possibility to distinguish not only between affected and clear dogs, but also to identify clinically healthy carriers. This is an essential information for controlling the disease in the breed, as carriers are able to spread the disease in the population, but can not be identified by means of common laboratory diagnostic.

The DNA test does not provide informations about onset of clinical signs and the severity of disease symptoms. 

Requirements

The test is performed out of EDTA whole blood (0.5 ml) or special buccal swabs^*).  

Duration

1 week

For further information please contact

Dr. Petra Kühnlein or Frau Dr. Ines Langbein-Detsch
LABOKLIN GmbH und Co.KG
Steubenstraße 4
D-97688 Bad Kissingen/ german 
 
Phone: +49-971-72020 or Fax: +49-971-7202995
Email: labogenlaboklin.de  

*) buccal swabs are available upon request at labogenlaboklin.de 
* Partnerlab