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L-2-HGA Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria
In the past few years a small
number of Staffords have been
diagnosed with a metabolic
disorder, its clinical name is
L2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria or
L-2-HGA. This condition
manifests itself in varied ways
with affected dogs displaying
behavioural changes and
dementia, anxiety attacks,
having full blown seizures, as
well as exercise intolerance and
ataxia (unsteady gait), tremors
and muscular stiffness. Dogs
from totally different
bloodlines have been found to be
sufferers and the number of
affected dogs diagnosed has
risen. The disorder (and a
similar linked disorder D-2 HGA)
is found in humans, again very
rare, but nevertheless
devastating for those families
affected by it. The disorder has
an autosomal recessive method of
inheritance, which means that
both parents must be carriers of
the affected gene to produce
affected offspring.
Through excessive hard work not
only on behalf of the Animal
Health Trust at Newmarket and by
people submitting blood and
urine samples from the families
of affected animals a genetic
test has been determined to
identify the carriers of the
gene which causes L-2-HGA.
IT IS THEREFORE ADVISABLE THAT
ALL BREEDING STOCK BE SCREENED
IN ORDER TO ERADICATE THIS
CONDITION IN THE FUTURE.
This can be done by submitting a
blood sample to the AHT at
Newmarket.
TESTING CAN TAKE UP TO 6 WEEKS
FOR RESULTS SO PLEASE MAKE SURE
YOU HAVE THIS DONE IN PLENTY OF
TIME BEFORE YOUR PLANNED MATING.
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