Genetic welfare problems of companion animals
an information resource for prospective pet owners and breeders
The UFAW genetic welfare problems site has been produced with kind support in memory of Rosa Cliff Ward and her neice Barbarie Penelope Davies long-time supporters of UFAW |
`The Companion Animal Welfare Council (CAWC) welcomes this website'. Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior.
Select a group or species you are interested in: Dogs |
The collection of information and development of this site is a ‘work in progress’. Non-inclusion of a breed or condition at this time does not necessarily mean that the breed has no genetic disorders or that the condition is not a problem. If you are concerned about the health of an existing pet, please consult your veterinarian. |
Scroll down the page or click a link
- What this site is about
The role of prospective pet owners
UFAW's aim
How to find information on a particular species or breed
How you can help collect information for this site
In order to help towards improvements in breed-related welfare problems in companion animals, UFAW has started this website to provide information for prospective pet owners, breeders and others.
The idea is that if you are thinking of buying a dog, cat, rabbit or any other other companion animal of a particular strain or breed, you will be able to find information on what inherited welfare problems may occur, and what checks you may need to make with breeders or suppliers in order to avoid buying affected or carrier animals and, in so doing, unintentionally perpetuating the problem.
The problem of health issues related to unsuitable breeding was listed as the top welfare concern of vets and vet nurses in the PDSA's Animal Wellbeing Report 2011: www.pdsa.org.uk/pawreport
Many genetic diseases occur in companion animals (eg see Lindblad-Toh et al 2005). Some of these diseases arose due to random mutations that became established in some breeds, but in other cases, adverse welfare impacts have arisen as direct consequences of the features being selected for. So, respiratory difficulties occur in some breeds because of selection for shortened noses, and others are predisposed to bacterial skin infections as a result of breeding for excess, deeply folded skin. Although efforts by responsible breeders, veterinarians and geneticists to try to tackle some of these diseases are gathering momentum, it is surprising that there has been rather little concern about these matters until very recently in view of their very significant welfare impact (CAWC 2006). 'The idea for this website was stimulated by the CAWC Report on Breeding and Welfare in Companion Animals (CAWC, 2006).
The role of prospective pet owners
Prospective pet owners have a very important role to play in helping to eradicate genetic diseases and poor welfare traits. If people only bought animals from problem free breeds or lines, the disease-prone lines would be replaced by their healthier cousins.
For 10,000 years the selective breeding of dogs has been focused on aspects of performance, behaviour or appearance. This approach characterises the breeding of many other species of companion animals as well. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many genetic diseases. It is now time for priority to be given to breeding for the animals' welfare. To drive this change, prospective pet owners, and breeders need information on the welfare consequences of these diseases. This website includes information not just about the physical effects of genetic diseases but also assessments of their effects on the animal’s quality of life, for example through causing pain or discomfort, to inform prospective pet owners' choice of their new pet.
The aim of this project is to describe genetic conditions affecting companion animals and to explain their welfare consequences – their impacts on the animals’ quality of life – as clearly as possible.
How to find information on a particular group or species
To find information on a particular genetic disorder for a specific breed first select a species or group, eg dog. You will then see a list of breeds. Select a breed, eg Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and this will take you to a list of conditions for which information is available for that breed. Click on a condition.
The collection of information and development of this site is a ‘work in progress’.
Non-inclusion of a breed or condition at this time does not necessarily mean that the condition is not a problem or that the breed has no genetic disorders.
If you are concerned about the health of an existing pet, please consult your veterinarian.
Would you like to help us to develop this site?
Collecting and collating information for this website is a very large task but we have begun to make a start with this, and hope that the initiative will gather pace. We are keen to develop the site to cover a wide range of disease conditions and species, and to better present the information, and in a more user friendy way, by including illustrations and cross-links.
We are seeking funds to develop the site in these ways and would be pleased to discuss this with anyone who may be able to assist. Alternatively, if you would like to volunteer to collect information on a particular condition or breed for example, click here for details
The information contained in this site is provide by UFAW in good faith as being accurate. However, should you be aware of any inaccuracies or further information that you think might be valuable please let us know (ufaw@ufaw.org.uk). |
Acknowledgements
We are most grateful to all those who have helped in collecting information for, and with drafting, this site, and for comments on it, including David Godfrey, Rosie Godfrey, Carol Fowler, Hazel Bentall, Alex German, Lord Soulsby, Emma Goodman Milne, Claire Rusbridge, James Yeates, Sean Wensley, Sandra Webber, Daniel Mills and all those acknowledged at the description of each condition.
References
Companion Animal Welfare Council (2006) Welfare Aspects of Modifications, through Selective Breeding or Biotechnological Methods, to the Form, Function, or Behaviour of Companion Animals. CAWC. www.cawc.org.uk.
Lindblad-Toh K, Wade CM, Mikkelsen TS et al (2005) Genome sequence, comparative analysis and haplotype structure of the domestic dog. Nature 438: 803- 819.
© UFAW 2012
