CERTAIN breeds have genetic diseases – and the Mini Schnauzer is no exception. Some individuals have a defect in the SPNK1 gene, which means that sometime after the age of one, the liver is no longer to pull trigylcerides, a type of fat, out of the blood. Levels of TG get higher and higher, and in time, can cause:
· Pancreatitis – a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreatic gland · Diabetes – a metabolic disorder of insulin and glucose – can occur after pancreatitis · Arteriosclerosis – clots and narrowing of blood vessels in the
skin and brain in particular
In a study, one
in three American schnauz
ers had elevated triglycerides; in dogs nine years or older, 75% had high TG.
Generally this condition has been managed with special low-fat diets or medications, but we are uncertain as to what works best.
For this reason I am running a free clinical trial, supported by IDEXX laboratories and Champion Petfoods.
Purebred mini schnauzers get a free blood TG and pancreas blood test. Positive dogs are randomised to either start with four weeks of low fat diet or four weeks of TG-lowering medication; they are then retested, and switched to the alternate (meds or food) for four weeks.
With this we hope to establish: (a) what proportion of South African schnauzers are positive, and (b) which works best – foods or meds. Please volunteer and tell your friends.
For more info, go tohttp://www.inandavets.com/page/research-trials or contact our nurses 031 762 1816. - Supplied.
