Since the initial bulletin sent out in March, some progress, albeit slower than we would like, has been made. This has been largely out with our control and it is disappointing that certain facts and figures are not as readily accessible as they should be. However the KC have supplied me with a list of all eye tests over the last five years which at least gives those that are HC and PHPV positive but does not give details of PPSC or any other conditions. In addition no information on litter testing for PHPV is available but Diana Brooks-Ward at the KC is looking into this. All we need to know is numbers of litters tested and numbers containing one or more positive. Diana is also looking into PPSC numbers but I am not over-optimistic for her success. The ophthalmologists are paid considerable sums by owners of many breeds, not just Staffords, and I do feel we need much better feedback and data.

On a positive note, I have had further discussion with Cathryn Mellersh, who is keen to pursue the PHPV genetics as mentioned before, and have made contact with Claudia Hartley an ophthalmologist at the AHT. We, in Staffords, enjoyed an excellent relationship with the eminent Keith Barnett who died suddenly at work a few days after Crufts. The debt we owe to Keith is enormous as he was involved with HC and PHPV from the very beginning. I am sure the good relations we had with Keith will continue with Claudia and her colleagues and she is keen that we try to pursue the PPSC question.
 

As pursuing such issues may take time and effort, including documentation, I am pleased to say that Lesley McFadyen (EASBTC), whose contribution with L-2-HGA was considerable, and Diane Taylor (NESBTC) are willing to help. I trust no one will have a problem with this as I said before it would be ideal if club co-ordinators took responsibility for individual projects. I would ask you to collaborate with Lesley and Diane as necessary please.
 

PHPV. Cathryn has supplied a list of research DNA samples stored at the AHT and these will be compared with the results list to see how many positives we have already. However I doubt if we shall have enough so more will be required. Consequently we need to get swabs from as many positive dogs as possible. Club co-ordinators will hopefully assist in getting owners to co-operate. Even if a dog was diagnosed some time ago, swabs may still be taken. If there is any doubt if a sample was taken previously, I would suggest it is repeated and a fresh specimen will do no harm. In the past taking samples from litters has been sadly neglected and not pursued on the grounds you could not link puppies with registrations. This is actually irrelevant scientifically as it would be ideal for whole litters containing one or more positives to be tested. Ideally it would be good if the testing vet would swab all the puppies, whether PHPV positive or negative, following eye examination. This may not be possible but breeders could do so themselves later, plus the dam and sire, if possible. If such litter samples can be linked with registered names all well and good, but if not, then they could be submitted as puppy 1,2,3, etc under the bitch’s name – the important thing is that swabs from positive puppies are clearly marked. One very important point is that puppies must have been weaned for at least two days before mouth swabs are collected. Also one should use the swabs supplied free by the AHT. Lesley, easbtc@thedoghouse89.freeserve.co.uk, can advise as she was involved with specimen collections for L-2. Once we have sufficient samples then Cathryn and her colleagues can plan the way to go.
 

PPSC. I have asked for any available figures but none have been forthcoming so far. I do know that the ophthalmologists meet annually to discuss results and interesting cases. I believe a composite list of tests covering all breeds is prepared for such meetings and something like this needs to be made available more widely. We need to know more about cases other than HC and PHPV. Consequently we can still only rely on owners volunteering information.

I emailed previously seeking owners to report any cases of PPSC they may have had and am grateful to the owners and breeders of one case for submitting details. How many more have actually been diagnosed? Can we continue to ask owners to submit the relevant details of PPSC cases, including age at diagnosis and a copy of the report, if available, please?

Although PPSC can develop at any time from six months of age upwards, cases may often develop in older dogs. As few Staffords are likely to be tested after 5yo, we simply cannot say how many cases are undiagnosed, resulting in the vets seeking us to continue testing over the years. However it would be interesting to know how many owners have had older dogs tested. Could owners perhaps let us know of any eye tests that have been done of dogs over five years of age, giving the findings and the age at the time of test? Unless we can get such information by one means or another, then making progress is impossible!

The causes of PPSC are unknown and may be genetic in origin. Although it is impossible to plan any research until further information about cases is forthcoming, it would be useful if specimens were submitted to the AHT for storage for future research. Cathryn is happy to extract the DNA and store them. Could the owners of any PPSC cases please collect swabs, or arrange collection, from affected dogs especially, but also from siblings and parents if possible, please?

EMSBTC Survey. Maureen Ward, zabarettsward@btinternet.com , is looking after this and I would encourage all who have been given questionnaires to respond. Some clubs may wish to become involved so may I suggest their co-ordinators contact Maureen to see how they may help by widening the catchment.

Although all this does tend to be UK oriented, I hope our overseas colleagues might consider conducting similar studies if appropriate in their own countries. You never know what differences may emerge.

It was not my intention to put out a second bulletin quite so soon but thought it might be better to do so before the summer show season is in full swing. Hopefully some progress will be made over the next few months and we can take stock in autumn.
 

Archie