• Breeders learn in Benchmarks of the dangers of canine brucellosis and the need to test before breeding.
• SCWTCA recommends using CERF as a registry for eye diseases and that breeding stock be examined for eye defects annually. Elaine Azerolo chairs this committee.

• SCWTCA appoints first Health Committee, chaired by Gay Dunlap and charged with being a clearinghouse for any type of skin problem. Information requested was sex and age of the dog; history of the problem: diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and recurrence.

• SCWTCA adopts a Code of Ethics which suggest health checks for breeding stock.

• SCWTCA establishes an Eye Registry committee to serve as another option to the CERF registry. The committee chaired by Lynn Carothers.

• SCWTCA begins publishing OFA listings in Wavelengths.

• SCWTCA sends out an eye health survey to all licensed veterinary ophthalmologists in the US and results are published in Benchmarks. The first Eye Registry list is published, listing Wheatens who have submitted their results. Elaine Azerolo chairs this committee.

• SCWTCA funds an epidemiological survey of urological and nephrologic diseases in Wheatens conducted by Dr. Timothy Allen at Colorado State University. In addition to funding, SCWTCA supports with the distribution of questionnaires to Wheatens owners. Denise Cronin Kerby chairs this effort.

• Because of his work on PLE in Basenjis, Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt at the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University was contacted by SCWTCA in regards to a research study on PLE/PLN in Wheatens.
• Dr. Meryl Littman begins testing and collecting lab results, pedigrees, and histories of dogs related to cases of suspected protein-losing disease. There was no cost associated with testing. This was the beginning of her data collection and the basis for the development of the Open Registry. Dr. Littman and Dr. Breitschwerdt agree to share data. Dr. Littman sees her first case of protein-losing disease in 1985, at the same time as Dr. Wilcock at the University of Guelph sees his.
• SCWTCA appoints a Renal Dysplasia committee chaired by Jackie Gottlieb and Pam Donahue and a Protein Wasting Syndrome committee chaired by Emily Holden.
• SCWTCA becomes a breed club supporting member of CERF.
• Dr. Donald Patterson, Professor of Medicine and Chief, Section of Medical Genetics, U of Penn, speaks at the Annual Meeting about “Genetic Diseases in the Dog and Determining Genetically Caused Diseases,” chaired by Sue Poulin.

• A protein-losing disease symposium was conducted by SCWTCA during its national specialty weekend. Wheaten breeders speak about their experiences with protein-losing diseases to raise awareness.

• Dr. Meryl Littman and Dr. Urs Giger publish an abstract in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine, “Familial protein-losing enteropathy and/or nephropathy in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers”.
• Dr. Theresa Possum at Texas A & M begins work on a method to measure intestinal protein loss through assaying feces. Wheaten owners in Texas are asked to cooperate in research. SCWTCA creates a Health Committee to replace the Renal Dysplasia and Protein Wasting Syndrome Committees. Richard Tomlinson is appointed Chair.

• Dr. Fossum and Dr. Margaret Slater at Texas A & M conduct the first Wheaten health survey to assess prevalence of various health problems in the breed.

• As a result of his experiences with his own affected Wheaten, Dr. Jody Lulich, a urologist from the University of Minnesota, enlists the assistance of local Wheaten owners and starts semi-annual screening clinics for RD. SCWTCA members Kathy Eichman and Cindy Stokvis organize these events.

• SCWTCA Health Committee goes on the road to present Health Reports to local clubs. Emily Holden and Richard Tomlinson go on the road to present the health report to the local clubs.

• George Jeitles, DVM is appointed Health Chair. Dr. Littman and Dr. Shelly Vaden present research at the Annual Meeting. SCWTCA approves post mortem protocols written by Dr. Vaden.

• SCWTCA and SCWT Association of Canada join in announcing the formation of an Open Registry for PLE/PLN and RD. The intent is to learn about the mode of inheritance, the incidence of disease in the breed, and to provide a channel for open communication while bringing information to the public.
• SCWTCA sets up alphabetical OFA listing from Jan 1974 to March of 1995.
• SCWTCA Health Fund is established, segregating money donated for health from the general fund.
• Dr. Meryl Littman and Dr. Brian Wilcock present a seminar on Protein-Losing Disease in the SCWT in Ontario, Canada.
• In perhaps the most significant milestone to date, AKC CHF approves Dr. Vaden’s grant to study PLE/PLN in SCWTs and establish a colony of Wheatens at NC State. This approval is for a two year study and represents $50,000 in funding directly from CHF.

• As required by the AKC CHF grant to Dr. Vaden, SCWTCA embarks on a program to raise $25,000 in matching funds. In an incredibly successful campaign, chaired by Jackie Gottlieb and Carol Carlson, later cited by the AKC CHF to other clubs, SCWTCA raises $45,000 in 18 months for this Donor Advised Fund.

• The first Open Registry is published and distributed to Open Registry members.
• At the AKC Molecular Genetics and Canine Genetic Health Conference, Dr. Vaden presents her findings, “Early manifestations of protein-losing enteropathy and nephropathy in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.

• Dr. Meryl Littman publishes “Wheaten Terrier PLE/PLN in the ACVIM Proceedings.
• Dr. Shelly Vaden presents “Do Food Allergies Cause PLE/PLN in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?” at the National Parent Club Canine Health Conference.
• CH Carlinayer’s Brendon Murdock, ROM is diagnosed with PLE & PLN. Dockers is a frequently used sire with over 400 puppies on the ground in the United States alone. It was a sad day for our breed. Dr. Urs Giger is the guest speaker at the SCWTCA Annual Meeting and answers questions about modes of inheritance arising from his diagnoses.

• Second Wheaten health survey is conducted by Dr. Margaret Slater.
• Janet Petros and Emily Holden are named Co-Chairs of the Health Committee.
• Dr. George Padgett presents a seminar, “Control of Canine Genetic Disease,” during the National Specialty weekend at MCKC.

• SCWTCA’s Eye Registry is discontinued and replaced by CERF certification.
• SCWTCA names Janet Petros the Health Chair
• Recommended health screening for PLE, PLN, RD and/or Addison’s disease is published.
• Protocol for the Fecal API Collection Screening Test is announced.
• Revised Protocol for Post-Mortem Examination of SCWTs suspected with PLE, PLN, RD and/or Addition’s disease is published.
• SCWTCA Endowment fund is established.
• The SCWTCA Health Committee completes “The Dockers Project,” an identification of all the dams to which CH Carlinayer’s Brendon Murdock was bred.

• The Health Committee develops and distributes the SCWT Health Notebook Seminar to 12 local/regional clubs in the US and Canada, as well as at the Canadian National Specialty.
• The SCWTCA board recommends not breeding a dog with a Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio over 0.3 as recommended by Drs. Littman and Vaden.
• AKC CHF Approves Dr. Littman’s grant in the amount of $51,000 over a 2 year period for a Longitudinal Field Study of Families of SCWTs affected with PLE/PLN and the establishment of a DNA Bank (SCWT Family Study). This project is also known as the Informative Family Study
• Fecal API Testing kits program begins.
• Micro-Albumin Test is announced.
• Cancer survey mailed.
• Revised Code of Ethics is overwhelmingly approved by the SCWTCA membership, containing required health testing for breeding stock, including eye and hip testing, as well as a requirement for all SCWTCA members to belong to the Open Registry. Open Registry membership requires mandatory placement of affected animals on the Open Registry.

• Keystone Health Conference, a two day privately funded SCWT Health Conference, endorsed by SCWTCA, is held in Keystone, CO.
  • Presenters: Wendy Beers, DVM, Introduction to Canine Anatomy
  • Meryl Littman, DVM, UPenn, “PLE & PLN in SCWTs”
  • Paula Henthorn, PhD UPenn, “Genetics Primer”
  • Shelly Vaden, DVM PhD NCSU, “PLE & PLN of SCWTs – Clinical Evaluation & Mode of Inheritance”
  • Anna Marzolino, SCWTCA member, “SCWT Record Keeping”
• One day health conference Montgomery Weekend with the same speakers as above and
  • Dr. Urs Giger, PD,
  • David Williams, VetMD
• Adopt A Colony Dog fundraiser begins.
• SCWTCA is recognized by the AKC CHF as a Foundation Builder.

• Health Education – Cecily Skinner
  The Fall/Winter issue of “Wheaten Health News” was published in December. The next issue is planned for late February or early March. I made a brief presentation on the National Institutes of Health Project (NIH) at the SCWTCSC Wheaten Fun Day and also at the SCWTSC Annual Dinner Meeting.
  • Twenty-seven kits were sent to local Southern California Wheaten owners based on the people who signed up at the annual dinner. I enrolled one of my dogs and was very pleased by the response from the NIH. I was contacted the day the sample arrived to tell me that it had arrived in excellent condition and, again the following week, to let me know that they had already starting processing the sample. This is an exciting project and I look forward to watching it develop. We have a number of Fecal API Kits still in stock, and ordering has declined. Carol and I talked and Carol contacted Dr. Littman to see if she would like any of them, but she did not need them at this time. We will continue to have them available.
  • We are revising the format for the list of Health Research projects on the website. Projects will be listed under the headings “SCWTCA Supported or Endorsed Projects” and “Other Research Opportunities”. The titles are still a work in progress but we want to provide focus on SCWTCA Research and avoid confusion with all the various health projects. The list will also be updated with completed projects moved into an archive area.
• Health Research NIH – Helen Moreland
  The collection of samples for the NIH SCWT Lifetime Study was completed December 31, 2011. The response of SCWTCA members and SCWT owners nationally and internationally was outstanding. Dr Heidi Parker and Gretchen M. Carpintero-Ramirez of the National Institute of Health, Human Genome Institute, do not have an exact count yet but think they will end up with a very nice number. We are optimistic as to the outcome. Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) was eventually able to assist in the identification of eligible dogs with DNA on file at the University of Missouri Canine Phenome Project. CHIC subsequently contacted the owners regarding eligibility and interest in participating in the NIH SCWT Lifetime Study. San and Malcolm Jeffries from the United Kingdom were very supportive and instrumental in making the study available internationally through the Wheaten Health Initiative webpage. Carol Carlson and the SCWTCA Board helped throughout the process.
• Canine Phenome Project (CPP) – Elaine Azerolo
  • CPP Samples Available for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Lifetime Study – DNA samples stored at the Canine Phenome Project (CPP), University of Missouri, are available for use in the NIH Lifetime Study. Owners of eligible Wheatens received an email identifying the dog and describing the procedure for contacting NIH to participate in the study. The notices were generated from the CPP database managed by OFA. Dogs must have been enrolled online with CPP by their owners and have a current email address listed to receive the notice. Consent of the owner is required to participate in the NIH Lifetime Study. CPP identified 319 dogs eligible for the NIH study based on date of birth. However, not all of those dogs would be new additions to the NIH study. Some would be duplicates with samples sent directly to NIH earlier by individual owners or from collection clinics. Clinics held in 2008-2010 collected 193 samples sent directly to NIH. In most cases samples from the same dogs were also sent to CPP. Some samples sent directly to NIH may be from ineligible dogs. Some were collected prior to the formal Lifetime Study proposal and/or prior to establishment of the final date of birth range
  • Wheaten DNA Bank at CPP and Health Survey Results – Over 1050 DNA samples from Wheatens are stored at CPP. General health surveys have been completed for 758 dogs. Cumulative results of those surveys can be found at the Canine Phenome Project website. The results list numbers and percentages of dogs reporting a variety of health issues.
  • Committee Activity Since October 2011 Report – The Committee’s 2011 Annual Report as revised October 20, 2011 was published in Wheaten Health News, Fall 2011. Sibling Pairs Study results from October 2010 were repeated and amplified in that report. Inquiries and requests for assistance from individual owners were addressed.
• Universities – Carol Carlson
  • U of PA Project Goals
    1. Publish October additions to the Open Registry. Complete – The updated Open Registry was posted on the SCWTCA website October 20, 2011. There are 973 dogs: PLE/PLN= 113 cases; PLE = 366 cases; PLN= 675; Addison’s= 78 cases; IBD= 55 cases; RF= 46 cases; and RD= 49 cases. Leo Springer is working on adding current dogs to an Excel Spreadsheet.
    2. Get as much information as possible from the DNA samples we already have, including Informative and Cooperative Families, by SNP chip Genome-wide association (GWA) and gene sequencing. Ongoing.
    3. Continue giving consultations/advice, but ask for donations until a new fee is instituted for all but Informative Family members. Ongoing – On average 15-25 consultation requests are received each month. Donations do not keep pace with consultation requests.
    4. Replenish the Penn Wheaten fund with annual reimbursement from the SCWTCA Health Fund to cover histopathology costs. Also reimburse for shipping costs approved on a case by case basis for necropsy samples and/or Geriatric DNA samples that the owner cannot afford to cover. Ongoing – The cost probably won’t be too high since we are now asking owners to pay shipping charges. Additional reimbursement requests will be filed when work is complete.
    5. Facilitate SCWTCA Endowment reimbursement for kidney biopsies conducted pursuant to AKC CHF grant #01485. Ongoing – When subjects are available, $500 will be paid by the grant, $500 will be paid by WSAVA/TVRPS (provided the dog is a candidate), and remaining out-of-pocket veterinary expenses incurred by the owner will be reimbursed by SCWTCA Endowment.
    6. Study a second set of samples, mostly geriatric dogs and PLE affected dogs, for genome-wide association by SNP chip analysis. Ongoing – The second set of SNPs have been run and the results are now being analyzed and compared with the first set to hopefully find a PLE region of interest.
    7. Identify appropriate outlets to disseminate findings and submit a manuscript for publication in a peer reviewed journal. Ongoing – Journal abstracts were submitted to the Tufts Genetic Conference held September 2011 and to the ACVIM Forum planned for June 2012. Prepared according to the guidelines for submission to Kidney International, a draft of the full manuscript is complete. It is with Dr. Henthorn awaiting her edits.
       In addition, Drs. Vaden and Littman were invited to write a review to be published in a special issue of Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (JVECC) about updates on kidney issues. Dr. Littman was also asked to write the review about Lyme nephropathy, so Dr. Vaden will be first author on the SCWT paper. Drs. Littman and Vaden invited one of the pathologists, Rachel Cianciolo who has been reading the biopsies, to contribute as an author on the JVECC manuscript. This review will probably include information from the Wheagle colony and the Open Registry, a genetic findings that PLN is a podocytopathy and announce that a genetic test is available. Submission date is March 1st; publication date is not yet known.
    8. Prepare a Q&A manuscript for distribution in the Health Newsletter and in Benchmarks to address the significance and possible application of our findings.
    9. Refine the submission process and develop a form for the PLN-Associated Variant Genes DNA Test. Ongoing – A DRAFT of the submission form is awaiting Dr. Henthorn’s input. Also in the works: we are waiting for the proper computer submission interface with the laboratory system to facilitate appropriate log-in.
    10. Invite sample submission for PLN-Associated Variant Genes DNA Test. On Hold – Once Goal 9 is complete, submissions will go to Dr. Henthorn’s lab and bypass Dr. Littman’s office. There will be techs involved, so Vets won’t have to contact Dr. Littman before shipping.
    11. Deliver presentation during SCWTCA Annual Meeting. Complete – Dr. Henthorn and Claire Wiley delivered the presentation and answered questions.
    12. Encourage Claire Wiley to apply for the SCWTCA Endowment Student Researcher Professional Development Award. Ongoing – A glowing letter of recommendation for Claire is in the works and planned for January 15th submission. Claire is truly amazing! Without her, the past 18 month’s research with fine mapping of the candidate genes for PLN would not have happened so quickly!
    13. Increase the number of geriatric normal DNA samples in Penn’s DNA Bank. Ongoing – Five to 10 samples were received as a result of a recent push to increase cases. More are needed. A handful of additional inquiries were answered regarding candidacy.

• Geriatric Study – Anna Marzolino
  We have received many calls from owners that are submitting blood samples on their 13.5 year old dogs to the University of Pennsylvania. Thank you so much for making calls to your pet owners and referring them to us. Please continue to refer your owners to either the Health Committee or directly to the University. It is very important that the owner’s Vet contacts Dr. Littman prior to shipping samples. We have had a few people ship blood samples when there was no one to receive them.
• Colony Dogs – Holly Craig
  There are three dogs left in the colony: one male Wheagle and two Wheaten boys. The Wheatens have been on hypoallergenic diets since they were born. Here are the latest reports from Tonya, their caretaker, at NC State Veterinary School.
  • Taurine seems to be doing well. His only problem is neck pain. He has had several episodes in the past. He is currently on pain medicines and appears to be a lot more comfortable. Renin just had an ear infection, but other than that, he is doing great! Threonine seems to be doing okay. He also has days that he does not eat well. Since his diet is strictly hypoallergenic, we cannot offer other foods. We will continue to monitor his weight closely.
  • Rather than seeking donations for the entire year, as has been done in the past, Dr. Vaden is limiting her request to half a year. Although the three remaining dogs are all healthy, as they age their futures are more uncertain.Here is the estimate that Dr. Vaden gave Carol Carlson and amount that we agreed I should ask people to donate. Rather than paying 25% of Tonya’s salary and fringes, we will be paying 10%. For 6 months, each dog will cost about $2,000 for room and board, daily meds, and extra diagnostic testing that is required due to their advancing ages. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will be appreciated by Dr. Vaden, Sibyl Myers and Tonya. It will show our dedication to the Colony dogs. The SCWTCA Endowment just made a donation of $5,000. Thanks to the people who contributed to the Colony in 2011 and each dog’s sponsor, including Mary Lou Lafler, SCWTCA of Tampa Bay, Shari Boyd Carusi, and an anonymous donor. Complete list of donors will be published in the March 2012 issue of Benchmarks.
  • A reformatted version of the Wheaten Pet Grooming DVD is available for purchase at the Colony Dogs website. All of the proceeds from the sale of the DVD go directly to NCVMF to support the Colony Dogs.
• Registries
  • CERF – Elaine Azerolo
    The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) statistical analysis reports for 2009 is now available. CERF expects to have the 2010 report available in February. Both will be ordered and briefly summarized for use in SCWTCA publications. SCWTCA previously approved the purchase of these reports at a cost of $15 each. Eye registration information for individual dogs is on the CERF website or the OFA website.
  • CHIC – Jana Carraway – no report
  • OFA – Kathy Eichman
    From 1974 thru 2011, a total of 5,817 Wheaten hip x-rays have been reviewed and rated by the OFA.
    • 2011 – 4th Quarter:
      • Hips – 31 Evaluations: 28 Normal, 1 Preliminary, 1 Borderline Unilateral Left, 1 Mild Unilateral Right
      • Elbows – 8 Evaluations : 7 Normal, 1 Degenerative Joint Disease
      • Patellas – 4 Evaluations: all Normal
    • 2011 OFA Annual Summary:
    • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) increased: 1 case in 2010, 6 cases in 2011.
    • Wheatens receiving OFA evaluations decreased: 2010 – 138 (8.0% abnormal), 2011 – 111 (7.2% abnormal)
    • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Health Statistics for 2011:
      • Hips – 111 Evaluations: 102 Normal, 9 Abnormal (25 Excellent, 71 Good, 6 Fair, 1 Borderline, 7 Mild, 1 Moderate)
      • Elbows – 23 Evaluations: 21 Normal, 2 Abnormal – Grade 1 Dysplasia
      • Patellas – 14 Evaluations: 14 Normal
      • Degenerative Myelopathy – 6 Evaluations: 2 Normal, 2 Carriers, 2 At Risk
      • Cardiac – 4 Evaluations: 4 Normal
      • Thyroid – 2 Evaluations: 2 Normal
      • Baer Hearing – 0 Evaluations
    • From 1975 – 2011, the total number of Wheatens OFAd: 5,817 (16.9% Excellent, 66.7% Good, 11.3% Fair, 4.8% Abnormal ) Cumulative numbers and percentages from Jan. 1975 through Dec. 2011 are available.
  • FAPI – Toni Vincent
    I recommend that kits be available on the website only and that the Committee be dissolved.

2012 June

• Health Education and Fundraising – Cecily Skinner
  • Health Newsletter – The Spring Newsletter will combine with the Summer issue. Publication was pushed back to accommodate developments with the new “PLN DNA Test.” We will include information on upcoming kit distributions as well as acknowledge those clubs who have already participated. We also plan to include an overview of Dr. Littman’s presentation at Great Western in June.
  • PLN DNA Test FAQs – Bonnie O’Connor and I reviewed the FAQs provided by Dr. Littman and resubmitted it for clarification and additional information to Dr. Littman and Dr. Henthorn. Their amended FAQs was then formatted, proofed and submitted to Robyn and is now available on the SCWTCA web site. Thanks to Robyn for getting the information up quickly and to Pam for editorial skills. Many thanks to Dr. Littman and Dr. Henthorn for detailed responses to a very large list of questions!
  • PLN DNA Test Committee – Please see Pam Mandeville’s detailed report
• Additional Health Project Reports
  • Website – I have communicated with Robyn regarding an update and reorganization of the Health Section of the website. We will be web conferencing in the near future which will allow us to review it together. Additionally, Lee Martin has agreed to review the Health Section and do any proofreading of new content. Of the many questions I receive from pet owners, vaccine and titer information and food choices are among the greatest number. I would like to include vaccine recommendations from Dr. Jean Dodds and from Dr. Littman. The Lyme vaccine and Canine Influenza are continually brought up. I have asked several breeders to write articles on their experience with maintaining a good quality of life for their PLN dogs to illustrate the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment. It will be important to continue to promote health testing with the new Marker Test, and these articles will reinforce the longevity that even PLN dogs can have if caught early. The articles can be included in the Health Newsletter and also in a possible new section on the website. I have also received an article on a wonderful success story of a dog diagnosed with melanoma and then treated with the melanoma vaccine. Additional stories of interest can be pulled from Benchmarks and prior health newsletters. I’d really like to see stories related to health from dog owners featured in a new area of the Health Section.
    ACTION ITEM: Permission to include Vaccine information on the website.
    ACTION ITEM: Would the Board like samples of the fundraising items to review?
• Health Research
  • NIH – Helen Moreland – No report
  • Canine Phenome Project – Elaine Azerolo – No report
  • U of PA – Meryl Littman
    • DNA Bank, Geriatric Dog, Informative Family and Open Registry Report
      • 2012 Goals and Status Updates, June 2012
        1. Publish October additions to the Open Registry. Complete – The updated Open Registry was posted on the SCWTCA website October 20, 2011. There are 973 dogs: PLE/PLN = 113 cases, PLE = 366 cases, PLN = 675, Addison’s = 78 cases; IBD = 55 cases, RF = 46 cases, and RD = 49 cases. Pat Weir is working on adding current dogs to an Excel Spreadsheet. We will miss Leo Springer’s help very much. To continue this important effort, Pat Weir helped us to get the Open Registry into an Excel file so that it will be much easier to learn from.
           It looks like we have 1103 total dogs on the Open Registry, with 722 PLN (including 279 with PLE/PLN combined), 501 IBD/PLE (including the 279 with PLE/PLN), 98 Addison’s reported and 66 JRD or RD < 8 years reported. The numbers don’t completely add up because of other combinations, such as Addison’s/PLN and JRD/PLE/PLN. By far, the PLN numbers on the OR are the highest, and we are excited that our recent findings of DNA mutations in NPHS1 and KIRREL2 (the genes that encode nephrin and filtrin, 2 of the slit diaphragm proteins in the glomerulus) and the availability of DNA testing will help as a tool to decrease the risk of this disease in future generations.
        2. Get as much information as possible from the DNA samples we already have, including Informative and Cooperative Families, by SNP chip GWA analysis and gene sequencing. Ongoing
        3. Continue giving consultations/advice, but ask for donations until a new fee is instituted for all but Informative Family members. Ongoing – On average 15-25 consultation requests are received each month. Donations do not keep pace with consultation requests.
        4. Replenish the Penn Wheaten fund with annual reimbursement from the SCWTCA Health Fund to cover histopathology costs. Also reimburse for shipping costs approved on a case-by-case basis for necropsy samples and/or Geriatric DNA samples that the owner cannot afford to cover. Ongoing – The cost probably won’t be too high since we are now asking owners to pay shipping charges. Additional reimbursement requests will be filed when work is complete.
        5. Facilitate SCWTCA Endowment reimbursement for kidney biopsies conducted pursuant to AKC CHF grant #01485. When subjects are available, $500 will be paid by the grant, $500 will be paid by WSAVA/TVRPS (provided the dog is a candidate), and remaining out-of-pocket veterinary expenses incurred by the owner will be reimbursed by the SCWTCA Endowment.
        6. Study a second set of samples, mostly geriatric dogs and PLE-affected dogs, for genome-wide association by SNP chip analysis. Ongoing – The second set of SNPs have been run, and the results are now being analyzed and compared with the first set to hopefully find a PLE region of interest.
        7. Identify appropriate outlets to disseminate findings and submit a manuscript for publication in a peer reviewed journal. Ongoing – Abstracts were accepted and presented at the Tufts Genetic Conference held September 2011, the ACVIM National Forum in May-June 2012, and the International Conference in Visby, Sweden in May-June 2012. The main manuscript is being prepared for submission to Kidney International. In addition, Drs. Vaden and Littman were invited to write a review to be published in a special issue of Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (JVECC) about updates on kidney issues. Dr. Littman was also asked to write the review about Lyme nephropathy, so Dr. Vaden will be first author on the SCWT paper. Drs. Littman and Vaden invited one of the pathologists, Rachel Cianciolo who has been reading the biopsies, to contribute as an author on the JVECC manuscript. This review includes information from the Wheagle colony and the Open Registry, genetic findings that PLN is a podocytopathy, and announce that a genetic test is available. These chapters were submitted March 1st; the publication date is not yet known.
        8. Prepare a Q&A manuscript for distribution in the Health Newsletter and Benchmarks to address the significance and possible application of our findings. Submitted to Cecily Skinner for publication.
        9. Refine the submission process and develop a form for the PLN-Associated Variant Genes DNA Test. Submission forms available since May 1, 2012, with results reported by email.
        10. Invite sample submission for PLN-Associated Variant Genes DNA Test. Ongoing. We encourage samples be sent in for a prevalence study. Cytology brushes are available for cheek swabs (2 per dog) from Pam Mandeville or from Penn (Michael Raducha). Results are available with payment ($125 per dog, or $100 per puppy with litters of 3 or more, with a maximum of $500 per litter even if the litter is 6 or more pups). Anonymous samples can be sent in without payment to help with our prevalence studies which will help with genetic counseling as we know how prevalent carrier status is in the wider Wheaten community here and abroad.
        11. Deliver presentation during SCWTCA Annual Meeting. Complete – Dr. Henthorn and Claire Wiley delivered the presentation and answered questions. Presentations were also given at Bucks County and planned for Great Western by Meryl Littman. Audio of the Bucks County talk will be available on the website along with the Q&A, submission papers, and instructions for getting and handling cheek swabs.
        12. Encourage Claire Wiley to apply for the SCWTCA Endowment Student Researcher Professional Development Award. Submitted. I think she got it! A glowing letter of recommendation for Claire is in the works and planned for January 15th submission. Claire is truly amazing! Without her, the past 18 month’s research with fine mapping of the candidate genes for PLN would not have happened so quickly!
        13. Increase the number of geriatric normal DNA samples in Penn’s DNA Bank. Ongoing – Five to 10 samples were received as a result of a recent push to increase cases. More are needed to help with future PLE research. A handful of additional inquiries were answered regarding candidacy.
  • Pam Mandeville & the DNA Test Team Genetic Testing for PLN-Associated Variant Genes: Testing Rollout – Pam Mandeville & the DNA Test Team
    • Drs. Littman and Henthorn decided to make the cheek swab testing available to breeders in May 2012. Their interest was in getting the test out to breeders of the next generations, although they remain interested in research only samples. All samples submitted will be used for additional PLN research as well as the work around PLE and other diseases.
    • An online Discuss announcement was made and the first distribution took place at the DelVal Specialty the weekend of May 5. A page was created in the Health section of the website at scwtca.org, and there are articles in the June Benchmarks. Announcements were made to the Breeders and Wheaten L lists. We are continuing to develop content that will be useful to breeders and owners. Thank you to Robyn and Molly for your support. The Southern CA club invited Dr. Littman to speak during the Roving Specialty weekend on June 23rd, giving owners and breeders on the West Coast the opportunity to hear from her directly. Special thanks go to an anonymous donor for funding the cost of the trip.
    • All the local US clubs are participating throughout the rest of 2012. St. Louis distributed 116 kits at their specialty the weekend of June 1st and could have distributed more. As noted on the website, individuals needing more than 10 kits can contact Toni while those needing fewer have been asked to contact Penn directly. All kits distributed through our team are jointly funded by the SCWTCA Endowment, Inc. and the SCWT Genetic Research Foundation. Toni has provided the following information about the kits:
      • Completed orders: 2400 cytology brushes (1200 Kits) have been distributed to Delaware Valley SCWTC, SCWTC Greater St. Louis, Pacific NW Group, SCWTC Southern California, Greater Denver SCWTC, SCWTC of Greater Milwaukee, Motor City SCWTC and individual breeders.
      • Pending orders: SCWT Fanciers of Ontario, SCWTC of Great Britain, SCWTCA at MCKC and Greater Tampa Bay SCWTC. In the Works: Jeri Voyles is taking canine head count orders from Canada and the UK while organizing local distributors to ship within those countries, cost effectively.
      • Right Now: Thank you to the “Human DNA hands-on help” assembling kits on short notice and to ALL participating in making the kits available. A special thanks to Pam Mandeville, Jeri Voyles, the SCWTCA Endowment, Inc., the SCWT Genetic Research Fund, Inc., and the SCWTCA, Inc.
    • Based on conversations with breeders and owners, we know that many kits have been processed through Penn and results received. It is exciting to hear this news – we are proud of our breeders for embracing this opportunity – and encouraging that we are hearing about a lot of homozygous negatives. The team will continue to support kit distribution through 2012 as well as provide information about the test to owners and breeders. As we approach the October Board meeting, we will develop recommendations for support in 2013.
    • The team continually discusses approaches to communications about the test and the research. We are looking at social media as a communications tool. Additionally, breeders have given us other ideas, such as listing results via CHIC or the Stud Register, and we are evaluating those – we welcome ideas from all breeders and owners. As we get to the point where we have recommendations, we will bring them to the SCWTCA Board. For MCKC weekend, we are planning to distribute kits over the weekend, certainly at the boutique and perhaps at other venues. We will also be working with Dr. Littman to see what new information she has available by then and how best to disseminate it. Holly Craig will be coordinating our MCKC initiative.
      ACTION ITEM: Include a notice in the MCKC mailer about kit distribution.
  • NC State Colony Dogs – Holly Craig – There are three dogs left in the colony: one male Wheagle and two Wheaten boys. The Wheatens have been on hypoallergenic diets since they were born. Here is the latest report from Tonya, their caretaker at NC State Veterinary School:
    • No changes with Taurine or Threonine. They both still have occasional neck and back pain. They are more finicky about eating, and we do struggle to keep him and Threonine at a healthy weight. Overall they are doing well. Renin has had several more “vascular” (stroke-like) events. He has also developed hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease). He is currently on the ZD/Gastrocrom trial and our hopes are to complete this trial. He sleeps a lot but is a happy guy. We monitor him closely for changes. Taurine seems to be doing well. His only problem is neck pain. He has had several episodes in the past. He is currently on pain medicines and appears to be a lot more comfortable. Renin just had an ear infection, but other than that, he is doing great! Threonine seems to be doing okay. He also has days that he does not eat well. Since his diet is strictly hypoallergenic, we cannot offer other foods. We will continue to monitor his weight closely.
    • Rather than seeking donations for the entire year, as has been done in the past, Dr. Vaden is limiting her request to half a year. Although the three remaining dogs are all healthy, as they age their futures are more uncertain.
    • Here is the estimate that Dr. Vaden gave Carol Carlson and amount that we agreed I should ask people to donate. Rather than paying 25% of Tonya’s salary and fringes, we will be paying 10%. For 6 months, each dog will cost about $2,000 for room and board, daily meds, and extra diagnostic testing that is required due to their advancing ages. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will be appreciated by Dr. Vaden, Sibyl Myers and Tonya. It will show our dedication to the Colony dogs. The SCWTCA Endowment just made a donation of $5,000. Thanks to the people who contributed to the Colony in 2011 and each dog’s sponsor, including Mary Lou Lafler, SCWTCA of Tampa Bay, Shari Boyd Carusi, and an anonymous donor.
    • A reformatted version of the Wheaten Pet Grooming DVD is also available for purchase at the Colony Dogs website (www.colonydogs.org). All of the proceeds from the sale of the DVD go directly to NCVMF to support the Colony Dogs.
  • U of MO – Elaine Azerolo – No report.
• Registries
  • CERF – Elaine Azerolo – An article on eye disease in Wheatens was submitted and published in the June 2012 issue of Benchmarks. Basic information on hereditary eye disease in Wheatens, frequency of occurrence, and testing protocols was included.
    • One notable item is the reappearance of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Four cases were found in the 228 Wheatens examined in 2008. All were dogs under the age of 4 years. This is less than 2% of dogs examined, but is a reminder that PRA exists in Wheatens. In dogs with PRA, retina cells degenerate causing blindness. There is no genetic test for PRA in Wheatens. Statistics for the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) are compiled by the Veterinary Medical Database. Data input problems occurred with the 2009 -2010 CERF statistics. CERF is working with IT personnel to correct the problem and will reissue those reports when available.
  • CHIC – Jana Carraway – No report.
  • OFA – Kathy Eichman – No report.

2012 October

• Health Education – Cecily Skinner
  Much of the past quarter was focused on promoting and providing education on the PLN Variant Gene Test through work on the DNA Test Committee. Please see DNA Test Committee Chair, Pam Mandeville’s report for publications and information developed and available on the SCWTCA website. As referenced in Pam’s report, members of the DNA Test Committee will move as a sub-committee of the Health Committee (HC) and continue work on educational information for breeders, owners, and prospective owners. Many of the DNA Test Committee are already part of the HC but any DNA Committee members desiring to continue the work on education will be included on the sub-committee.
• PLN DNA Test Committee – Please see Pam Mandeville’s detailed report below.
• DNA Test Statement of Support
  The DNA Test Committee sent a proposed statement of support for the PLN Variant Gene Test for review by the Health Committee. The statement was discussed and a poll taken where the majority voted in favor of the statement and no opposing votes were made. The statement was sent to the SCWTCA Board and the SCWTCA Endowment Board and then adopted unanimously by both groups for publication on their websites.
• CHF Grant Funding Request
  The Health Committee reviewed a grant funding request from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) for the research on Urinary Protein and Gene Expression Characterization and Comparison with Renal Biopsy Findings and Clinical Data in Dogs with Proteinuric Renal Diseases. Research conducted by Dr. Mary Nabidy at Texas A & M University. Dr. Nabidy also works with Dr. George Lees. Dr. Littman also recommended the research to the committee. The HC voted in majority with no opposing votes to fund the project in the amount of $5000 with monies coming from our donor advised fund at CHF. The recommendation was sent to the SCWTCA Board and subsequently approved.
• Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
  CHIC Liaison, Jana Carraway is working on a presentation on how new tests could be added to our CHIC list. This would enable us to add the Variant Gene Test at some point as well as any other tests recommended by SCWTCA.
• Website
  Given the new PLN Variant Gene Test, I think we need to make some special notations on the recommended testing protocols for Wheatens. We need to continue to stress the importance of health testing regardless of your dog’s DNA Test results; i.e. a dog with results of 0/0 still needs annual testing. As mentioned in my prior report, I’d like to include the vaccine information as recommended by Dr. Jean Dodds who has long been a leader in vaccination protocols. Her current recommended protocol is included in my report.
  ACTION ITEM: Permission to include Vaccine information on the website. See attached protocols.
• Article Requests
  PDF copies of articles previously published in Wheaten Health News have been sent to Sandra Jeffries for the Health Group in Great Britain. The two articles requested focused on Renal Dysplasia; one was authored by Dr. Lori Wise of Colorado and the other by Dr. Meryl Littman. Credit will be given to SCWTCA for the articles.
• Health Newsletter
  Benchmarks editor, Molly O’Connell, and I recently discussed incorporating Wheaten Health News into Benchmarks. I would continue to serve as editor of the newsletter, contributing quarterly to Benchmarks. I spoke with Roxanna Springer who has been my terrific graphics and layout designer, and she would continue to assist with article research and graphics for the health articles.
  ACTION ITEM: Incorporation of Health Newsletter in Benchmarks?
• Fundraising – Mary Ann Curtis & Julie Burdick
  
• Research
  • Canine Phenome Project (CPP), U of MO – Elaine Azerolo
  • Status of SCWTCA Endorsed Projects
  • Wheaten DNA Bank – Canine Phenome Project (CPP)
    There are over 1100 Wheaten samples stored in the DNA bank at the University of Missouri. Most were collected as part of the Canine Phenome Project (CPP) during 2009 – 2011.
    • The CPP Health Survey has been completed by owners of 759 of the dogs. The survey shows the percentage of dogs reported to have a particular medical condition or disorder. Results are interesting and supply a general idea of most prevalent heath issues though the dogs included are not a scientific cross-section of the total Wheaten population. Skin or dermatological problems are the most widely reported at 15%. Most of those are allergies. Second at 12.6% are temperament issues ranging from fear of loud noises to aggression toward people. Other notable disorders are cancer (8.4%), orthopedic problems (6.9%), kidney or urinary tract issues (5.9%) and gastrointestinal problems (5%). Details are listed at the CPP website.
  • Sibling Pairs Study on PLE/PLN
    This study was completed in 2010. A synopsis was included in the October 2010 and October 2011 reports published in Wavelengths.
  • Additional DNA Research of Interest to Wheaten Owners – University of Missouri
    Wheatens are part of two research studies on neurological issues at the University of Missouri Animal Molecular Genetics Laboratory. Samples from Wheatens with clinical symptoms will help advance this research.
  • Unnamed Movement Disorder in Wheatens (episodic dyskinesia/ataxia)
    An unnamed movement disorder in young Wheatens has been seen in three different animals recently. Samples from a Wheaten puppy necropsied in April will be used in whole genome sequencing to look for a genetic link. Dr. Dennis O’Brien at University of Missouri is the neurologist heading the study. Wheaten breeders or owners who observe extreme, erratic, uncontrolled movement of legs, body, and/or head in puppies or young dogs are asked to contact him.
  • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
    Spinal tissue pathology confirmed DM in previously clinically diagnosed Wheatens in 2011. Results from the DM DNA test developed at the University of Missouri corresponded to the pathology results. Also in 2011, DNA test results were “at risk” or “affected” for 11 of 12 Wheatens with clinical symptoms tested. Since January 2012, additional clinically diagnosed Wheatens have been referred to Dr. Joan Coates, Professor of Neurology, who heads the study. Information about DM. The DNA test is listed at www.caninegeneticdiseases.net.
  • DNA Requested by Other Institutions
    Wheaten DNA stored at the University of Missouri will be shared with researchers at other institutions for studies which meet specific criteria. Following a request from Dr. Heidi Parker at NIH for DNA for the SCWT Lifetime Study, owners of dogs eligible for her study were emailed by MU staff in December 2011. They were asked to contact Dr. Parker’s office to indicate their interest in participating in the NIH Study. With owner agreement to participate, DNA may be transferred to NIH when requested for Dr. Parker’s research. Inquiries from two other researchers have been addressed.
  • NIH – Helen Moreland
    With the completion of enrollment in the SCWT Lifetime Study at the end of 2011, we now have a clear picture of our participating population.
    • There are a total of 238 dogs enrolled. The following is a brief summary of the group based on the introductory survey:The lifetime study participant group is 65% female and 35% male with an average age of 4½ yrs this month. The group comprises two primary generations of SCWTs with peaks of enrollment for dogs that are currently either 2 yrs of age or 5½ yrs of age. The average age of males and female are essentially the same (4.2 and 4.5, respectively). On average, owners acquired their puppies at 10 wks of age. Approximately 52% were purchased while 37% were born in their current homes. Approximately 1/2 of the males have been neutered and 1/3 of the females in the study have been spayed.
    • Just over 1/2 of the participants’ owners have indicated an intent to include their dog in a breeding program, and nearly 1/4 have already produced at least one litter. 82% of the dogs come from the United States and represent between 2 and 3% of the SCWT population registered by the American Kennel Club.
    • The vast majority (80%) of the participants are currently in excellent health and 90% see a veterinarian at least once a year. The most common ailments reported to date are kennel cough (12%) and allergies (14%).
    • We are now reaching the end of 2012 and it is time for the first annual health survey of the SCWT Lifetime Study. The survey should be available online in the coming month. Watch for notices in your mailboxes with instructions for accessing and completing the survey.
    • Information is the foundation of any good research project and, with your help, we will all learn more about the health of this amazing breed. For graphs showing country participation and age of dogs participating, contact Carol Carlson.
• Universities & Registries
  • Genetic Testing for PLN-Associated Variant Genes: Testing Rollout – Pam Mandeville
    Our team came together in May 2012. Our purposes were to (1) assist Drs. Littman and Henthorn in gathering samples for a prevalence study, (2) help kick start testing by breeders and owners, and (3) provide information for breeders and owners.
    • Kit Distribution:
      Since early May, we have distributed 2,750 DNA test kits in support of DNA testing for PLN-associated variant genes at the University of Pennsylvania.
      • In early September, Dr. Littman advised us that they had received approximately 1,000 samples and, therefore, would be closing the prevalence study in mid-October. Consequently, we decided that we will distribute our remaining kits on hand at MCKC and end the kit distribution program. This will permit the Endowment and the GRF to devote their funds to other purposes. Wheaten owners and breeders can continue to get test kits through Penn. We posted notices to SCWTCA Discuss, Wheaten L, and SCWT Breeders L, and others cross-posted to additional discussion lists and Facebook.
      • Holly Craig is managing our efforts over the MCKC weekend. Breeders and owners can continue to obtain kits directly from Penn for testing dogs to obtain results. This success could not have occurred without the hard work of many people. At the top of the list is Toni Vincent – every one of those swabs went through her hands, whether they were sent to breeders or to local clubs. It was a ton of work in a very short time.
      • Managing the complexity of exUS kit distribution was Jeri Voyles. The local US clubs all helped to distribute kits to their members and friends – thanks to Nancy Andersen (Milwaukee), Elaine Azerolo (St. Louis), Kathi Elliott (Tampa Bay), Cherie Fogarty (DelVal), Kayce Healy (Denver), Holly Million (OK), Pat Mullin (Northern CA), Carol Shaltz (Motor City), Jeri Voyles (Pacific NW), Laura Virant (Southern CA). Kate Judge and Sylvia Hamilton distributed kits to their members and friends in Canada. Finally, thanks to the SCWTCA Endowment, Inc. and the SCWT Genetic Research Foundation for jointly funding the kit distribution.
      • Thanks to webmaster Robyn Alexander for her fast response to our requests. As noted, we have been able to help Drs. Littman and Henthorn obtain over 1,000 samples in four months. As of this writing, over 800 samples have been run for results. In her most recent report, Dr. Littman advises that in the first 600 samples, they found approximately 1/3 homozygous negative, 1/2 heterozygous and 1/6 homozygous positive. She expects to provide an additional update at the end of the year.
    • Test & Research Support: We have provided materials on the SCWTCA website to assist owners in swabbing dogs. The main page provides information on where to get kits. Additional documents include a Step-By-Step Guide, a Guide for Submitting Frozen Semen, and a Guide for Testing Puppies. We are pleased that some of our materials have broader application – we understand that Dr. Henthorn will be using some, and we were contacted by the Mastiff Club for permission to use some of the materials as templates.
    • Education: On the website, we have provided FAQs and other information about the testing and research results. In the works are materials for pet owners as well as a “Genetics for the Befuddled” series. Dr. Littman recently asked us to make the following information widely available in the Wheaten world – it has been posted to Discuss, Wheaten L, SCWT Breeders’ List, and others have cross posted to additional Wheaten lists and Facebook:
      

      “I am very nervous that people are not using the test results wisely and throwing out too many dogs based on this one test. If we lose genetic diversity in the breed, it will be a shame, and Paula and I have continually warned against that. Please stress the paragraph:
      While we have discouraged several different kinds of breedings, we are going to have to be very cautious about decisions to throw out carriers or we will lose diversity in the breed and maybe reveal other genetic problems (especially if inbreeding is increased). We will need to be very careful. It is one of our top priorities to gather and distribute as much useful information as possible to facilitate making breeding decisions.
      Now that we have found a high allele frequency (about 42%), we know that there are NOT a lot of dogs that are completely clear. Only 1/3 of the first 600 submissions are homozygous negative, 1/2 the dogs are heterozygous, and 1/6 are homozygous positive. Considering half of the clear dogs are males and half are females, that means that only 1/6 of a particular sex have no copies. Some of those have poor conformation, troubled personalities, IBD/PLE, lots of allergies, or other reasons why they shouldn’t be used for breeding, and I am very worried that there will be a bottleneck with just a few “acceptable” dogs and inbreeding will be rampant if people only use them.
      In my opinion, people need to loosen up their criteria for selection (in other words, not be that strict based on just the PLN test) and cooperate with one another so that other wonderful traits that should be perpetuated are not lost, for instance, long lives. We need to learn more about why there is a sizable group of homozygous positive dogs that live long lives and we need to figure out what triggers a heterozygous dog to get PLN. It worries me if people are only breeding homozygous negative dogs to each other. I don’t have time to read the blogs etc., so I hope you guys will help educate people. It is very distressing to hear owners of even heterozygous dogs saying that nobody will breed with their dog.”

      Please note that Dr. Littman and Dr. Henthorn are coming to MCKC and will be at the Boutique and Dinner, and will be available to answer questions.

    • Going Forward: With the end of the kit distribution effort and the prevalence study, our team spent some time discussing our future. Some members have decided to move on to other projects. Since many of us are also members of the SCWTCA Health Committee, we have concluded to disband as a separate committee and those interested in continuing to be involved will work through a subcommittee of the SCWTCA Health Committee. As coordinator of the committee, I offer my gratitude and deep appreciation to the members of this committee for their dedication to this task, a job that has often been all-encompassing over the last five months. This committee has, individually and collectively, done work that will help insure the future of the breed.
      • Carol Carlson, Endowment Liaison
      • Anna Marzolino, Board Liaison
      • Holly Craig, Bucks & MCKC weekends
      • Bonnie O’Connor, Content
      • David Ronsheim, GRF Liaison
      • Cecily Skinner, Health Chair
      • Toni Vincent, Kit Distribution
      • Jeri Voyles, Liaison to exUS clubs
      • Judy Downing, Wheaten L & Content
• Open Registry & Geriatric Study – Carol Carlson & Anna Marzolino
  • Open Registry (OR): There are about 50 additions to the OR complete in hand and another dozen that we are waiting for signed permission forms to include them in the next update. Dr. Littman’s impression is that people aren’t reporting their dogs as much as they used to. Their vets are handling things without needing as many consultations from her but that means these aren’t being reported to the Open Registry. If breeders would please send their owners the Open Registry information it would be greatly appreciated. Interestingly they are receiving some cheek swab submissions that show that there is a relative that was affected with PLN, yet it wasn’t reported here; so the OR is truly just the tip of the iceberg. We aren’t following up with those cases because they want people to at least be honest that there was a relative affected, and those people might not reveal that if they feel the OR ‘police’ are watching them. We still feel we need the OR though to try to keep track of PLN and also for PLE, IBD, Addison’s, and JRD. The additions to the OR will be published early in 2013.
  • Geriatric study: We would like cheek swabs on Geriatric Dogs! We can stop sending in frozen kidneys after death, but it is still important to have screening tests and histopathology done on the geriatrics so that we can have phenotypic information to go along with the genotypes. We received a heads up that there have been a few dogs lately whose renal biopsies are showing amyloidosis as the cause of their PLN. They don’t know if this will be a problem in the breed or not. Breeders should become aware of amyloidosis. It is genetic in some other breeds. One of the dogs had DNA testing that showed it was homozygous negative for the PLN-associated variant alleles (the owners gave permission for these results to also be listed on the OR which will show that it is homozygous negative) – people need to know that renal biopsies are still important in PLN dogs. It’s a good thing that we only used classic PLN with biopsies that ruled out amyloidosis for our GWAS and gene sequencing studies!
• Colony Dogs – Holly Craig
  There are two dogs left in the colony: two Wheaten boys. These Wheatens have been on hypoallergenic diet since they were born. Here is the latest report from Tonya, their caretaker at NC State Veterinary School (NCVMF).
  • No changes with Taurine or Threonine. They both still have occasional neck and back pain. They are more finicky about eating and we do struggle to keep Taurine and Threonine at a healthy weight. Overall they are doing well. They had complete dentals done in August. Threonine did have some teeth extracted but he had no problems from this. They both did very well. Renin was euthanized July 23rd for his declining health associated with his stroke-like events. His symptoms of hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease) had also worsened. Findings from his necropsy confirmed his symptoms. Renin lived to be almost 16 years old! He was the last of our Wheagles. The Wheagles have provided us with meaningful information about PLE/PLN in the SCWTs and we are very grateful for all of them. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will be appreciated by Dr. Vaden, Sibyl Myers, and Tonya. It will show our dedication to the Colony dogs.
  • A reformatted version of the Wheaten Pet Grooming DVD is also available for purchase at the Colony Dogs website. All of the proceeds from the sale of the DVD go directly to NCVMF to support the Colony Dogs.
• Canine Eye Registry – Elaine Azerolo
  Board Action: None. However, concerns described below need to be considered soon.
  • Concerns: The total number of Wheatens whose eyes are examined is decreasing. During the most recent three-year period, 2009-2011, just 363 Wheaten eye exams were completed compared to 888 examinations in the previous three years, 2006 -2008. In addition, a large percentage of the dogs examined are young, so late-onset disorders may be missed. From 2006-2011, 53% of those examined were under 3 years of age; 79% were under 5. Only 8% of those examined were over age 7. (Statistics represent exams by board certified veterinary ophthalmologists as reported to the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.)
  • New Registry Established at OFA: A new certification registry for eye examinations has been established by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). Beginning November 1, 2012, OFA will register dogs whose eyes have been examined for observable hereditary ocular disease by an ACVO certified veterinary ophthalmologist. OFA is promising improved reporting of aggregate data and frequent updates to breed clubs. For owners, the eye exam procedure, classification of results and certification fee will remain the same. If the ACVO ophthalmologist uses the new OFA form and the owner pays the registration fee, the results will automatically be listed on the OFA website database. Additional information is available on the OFA website.
  • CERF Registry Continues: The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) will also continue to register eye exams according to a September 4 update. However, CERF registrations will no longer be automatically listed by OFA. Listing CERF registration at OFA will require an additional fee payable to OFA and the owner’s permission. Or if the CERF eye exam forms are used, they may be submitted directly to OFA along with the usual fee and owner’s signature. CERF registrations previously shared with OFA will continue to be displayed on the OFA website.
  • CHIC Certification Requirement: Either OFA or CERF registration will meet the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) breed eye exam requirement for CHIC certification of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers. This is a unilateral decision by OFA and does not require action by breed clubs.
  • Current CERF Statistical Reports: In early September, CERF sent previously unavailable statistical reports for 2010 and 2011 and an updated report for 2009. Results of the 2009 -2011 reports will be summarized for Benchmarks and Wheaten Health News publication. CERF is now current on 2012 entries and expects to have the statistical report ready in early 2013. For several years, computer program changes and IT issues at CERF/VMDB have resulted in delayed breed club statistical reports from CERF, though they have sent certifications to owners quickly.
  • Committee Activity 2011-2012:
    • Benchmarks articles prepared for June 2012 issue
    • SCWTCA Discuss posts regarding eye exams, disorders and registries.
    • Communication with Dr. Jacqueline Pearce, Co-chair of ACVO Genetics Committee, regarding recommended exam schedule
    • Communication with CERF regarding specialized data searches
    • Requests for statistical reports from CERF
• CHIC – Jana Carraway
  Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Specific Updates:
  • 37 New CHIC Numbers Issued
  • 22 Updates were made to existing CHIC Status
• OFA – Kathy Eichman
  On August 31, 2012, the OFA announced that a new Eye Certification Registry (ERC) will be included in the OFA Reports starting November 1, 2012. All information regarding the ERC announcement was sent to Elaine Azerolo so she could make the formal announcement along with all the details to the General Membership. On July 19, 2012, I responded to a request from Sally Sotirovich regarding OFA specifics.
  • Statistics for 2012:
    • 1st Quarter
      • Hips – 36 Evaluations (1 Preliminary, 1 Mild Unilateral Left)
      • Patellas – 7 Evaluations
    • 2nd Quarter
      • Hips – 41 Evaluations (1 Re-do and rating was changed from Fair to Good)
      • Elbows – 11 Evaluations
      • Patellas -16 Evaluations
      • Degenerative Myelopathy – 3 Evaluations (1 At Risk)
    • Cardiac – 8 Evaluations
    • Thyroid – Evaluation

• • Health Education – Cecily Skinner
    
    • PLN DNA Test Committee
      This committee has been merged into the Health Committee (HC) and will now function as a sub-committee of the HC and committee members will remain the same. The majority of the DNA Test Committee members were already part of the Health Committee and those not already part of the HC received an invitation to join. The following have accepted the invitation: Judith Downing, Bonnie O’Connor, and Jeri Voyles.
      Pam Mandeville will remain as the head of this sub-committee which will address the following topics early this year:
      • • Resume work on the material for pet owners.
        • Resume work on Genetics for the Befuddled
        • Work with Dr. Littman on an article by her and Dr. Henthorn about the paper to be published this year. While people will be able to readily get to the abstract and those with a driving interest will find a way to get to the journal itself, for most people, a lay explanation of the article is going to be preferable. (In conjunction with this, Bonnie thought about doing something on how to access research.)
        • Address ongoing breeding concerns that have been brought to the attention of the HC.
        • Clarify and emphasize the continued importance of Health Testing for all Wheatens including those who are “Clear” with regard to the PLN Variant Gene Test.

      There will, no doubt, be more questions generated when Dr. Littman and Dr. Henthorn’s paper is published and available to our members.

  • CHF Grant Funding Information
    The AKC/CHF approved funding of 17 research projects for 2013 including new research on canine Hemangiosarcoma being done by Dr. Modiano and research into a possible treatment for urinary incontinence headed by Dr. Vaden. The new research grants can be found at http://www.akcchf.org/research/funded-research/2013-oakgrants.html.
  • Top 5 Health Concerns for Wheatens
    Both Carol and I were contacted by AKC/CHF and asked to submit the Top 5 Health Concerns for Wheatens. We agreed that are concerns remain the same as the prior year and are as follows:
    1. Renal and Urological Disorders/Protein-Losing Nephropathy
    2. Endocrinology/Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease)
    3. Gastrointestinal/Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    4. Gastrointestinal/Protein-Losing Enteropathy
    5. Renal and Urological Disorders/Renal Dysplasia

Our CHF Liaison, Samantha Wright is currently compiling data from other breed clubs and will provide a complete list of health concerns in the near future.

• • Additional Health Project Reports
    Please see project reports as submitted by project liaisons.
    • CERF
      Elaine Azerolo recommended that the Board establish a policy requiring registration of eye examinations as a condition for the Breeders list eligibility. The rationale was: Registration of exam results provides a public record accessible to puppy buyers, other breeders, and the Club. It demonstrates that the COE requirement is being met. Registration of eye exams is a reasonable requirement for the privilege of being on the Breeders List. Ten years ago, when SCWTCA still published the names of dogs registered, the number of dogs examined was much higher. Public disclosure is a reminder and motivator. The cost of registration is reasonable. Fees are $12 for the initial registration and $8 for subsequent registrations. This is a lifetime total of $44 (based on current fees and COE requirements). This is a very small percentage of the price of one Wheaten puppy. Carol moved and Lori seconded the motion to adopt this policy. Carol Carlson, Connie Koehler, Lori Kromash, Jinx Moore, Pat Mullin, and Rose Rose voted to approve the motion. Kay Baird, Anna Marzolino, and Gary Vlachos were opposed. Carol will contact individual members of the Breeders list and tell them the policy. The request for Board to require annual eye exams was denied. The rationale was that this would require Code of Ethics change. Future Boards may choose to accept this recommendation.
    • Website
      A list of updates and items needing removal from the site has been prepared. Our webmaster Robyn and I have set up a phone meeting to review the Health Section. I hope to start a “Human Interest” (title not set yet) area that will feature articles related to health written by Wheaten owners. The idea behind this is to provide encouragement and information to Wheaten owners who are or have experienced health problems with their dogs. Articles will be positive and encouraging. We have our first article ready to go. (See Board Action.) Given that a new Eye Registry has been established, I will coordinate the information with our CERF Committee Chair, Elaine Azerolo, for inclusion on the website.
    • Article Requests
      While the Health Newsletter and Benchmarks will remain as separate publications, both Molly O’Connell and I plan to coordinate articles of interest on a variety of health topics in both publications in an effort to reach a wide readership.
    • Fundraising
      The ornaments have been a great fundraiser, and I look forward to seeing what Anna comes up with for next year! I recently did some research on “Wooden Cutting Boards” that can be personalized with artwork and/or script. The retail prices on the boards go from $25.00 to $45.00. This might be something that could be a fundraiser. I also think another doormat would do well as it is an item that continually needs to be replaced. A thermal mug, while it’s been done before, will sell with a new design. I also like the idea of a smaller sized platter with Wheaten artwork. It would be useful and decorative. (See Board Action)
      ACTION ITEM: Permission to include a “Human Interest” area in the Health Section of the website.
    • Research NIH – Helen Moreland
      Dr. Parker reports that Information Technology has installed a new computer system, and it will have the Wheaten Questionnaire ready in February. Following is her latest report which has been submitted to Benchmarks for publication so that it will reach the widest audience. The Wheaten Health Initiative in Great Britain will also publish it. With the completion of enrollment in the Lifetime study at the end of 2011, we now have a clear picture of our participating population. There are a total of 238 dogs enrolled, and the following is a brief summary of the group based on the introductory survey:

      The lifetime study participant group is 65% female and 35% male with an average age of 4½ yrs this month. The group comprises two primary generations of SCWTs with peaks of enrollment for dogs that are currently either 2 yrs of age or 5½ yrs of age. The average age of males and female are essentially the same (4.2 and 4.5, respectively). On average, owners acquired their puppies at 10 wks of age. Approximately 52% were purchased while 37% were born in their current homes. Approximately 1/2 of the males and 1/3 of the females in the study have been spayed or neutered. Just over half of the participants’ owners have indicated an intent to include their dog in a breeding program, and nearly one quarter have already produced at least one litter. 82% of the dogs come from the United States and represent between 2 and 3% of the SCWT population registered by the American Kennel Club. The vast majority of the participants (80%) are currently in excellent health, and 90% see a veterinarian at least once a year. The most common ailments reported to date are kennel cough (12%) and allergies (14%).
      

      We are now reaching the end of 2012 and it is time for the 1st Annual Health Survey of the SCWT Lifetime Study. The survey should be available online in the coming month. Watch for notices in your mailboxes with instructions for accessing and completing the survey. Information is the foundation of any good research project and with your help we will all learn more about the health of this amazing breed.

    • CPP – Elaine Azerolo
      There are over 1100 Wheaten samples stored in the DNA bank at the University of Missouri. Most were collected as part of the Canine Phenome Project (CPP) during 2009 – 2011. The CPP Health Survey has been completed by owners of 759 of the dogs. Genetic research conducted at the University of Missouri using Wheaten DNA samples includes on-going studies on degenerative myelopathy (DM), an unnamed movement disorder in young Wheatens described as episodic dyskinesia/ataxia (on-going), primary lens luxation (2009), and the Wheaten sibling pairs protein-losing comparison study (2010).
      • As of October 2012, 77 Wheatens samples had been tested using the degenerative myelopathy DNA test developed at the University of Missouri. Of those, 43 tested Normal, 14 tested Carrier, and 20 tested as Affected/At Risk. Spinal tissue pathology confirmed DM in previously clinically diagnosed Wheatens in 2011. DM DNA test results corresponded to the pathology results. Also in 2011 DNA test results were “Affected/At Risk” for 11 of 12 Wheatens with clinical symptoms referred to the University. Information about DM and the DNA test is listed at: www.caninegeneticdiseases.net.
      • Randomly selected Wheaten DNA samples were tested for the mutation which causes primary lens luxation in other breeds. All Wheaten samples were normal (no copies of the mutation). CERF statistics for 2000-2008 reported a very low incidence of lens luxation in Wheatens (3 cases or .01%).
      • A synopsis of the Wheaten Sibling Pairs Study was included in the October 2010 and October 2011 reports in Wavelengths. Results were inconclusive. Wheaten DNA stored at the University of Missouri will also be shared with researchers at other institutions for studies which meet specific criteria. This includes the NIH SCWT Lifetime Study.
      • Universities – Carol Carlson
      • Open Registry (OR) and Geriatric Study – Carol Carlson & Anna Marzolino
        There are about 60 additions to the OR that are complete and ready to publish. The updated list will be published in the early spring. Most local vets are handling questions without consulting with Dr. Littman. She requests that breeders send their owners the Open Registry information. Geriatric study: Dr Littman requests cheek swabs on Geriatric Dogs. It is no longer necessary to send frozen kidneys after death. But it is still important to have screening tests and histopathology done on these geriatric dogs so that we can have phenotypic information to go along with the genotypes. Anna will be updating the protocols for the website and the directory.
      • Colony Dogs – Holly Craig No report.
    • Registries
      • Canine Eye Registry Foundation – Elaine Azerolo
        The Code of Ethics states that eyes must be examined a minimum of every two years for dogs being bred but does not require that results be registered. Requiring registration would add accountability and provide a public record which would encourage participation.
        BOARD ACTION REQUESTED: Encourage breeders to have eyes examined on Wheatens being bred. The number of Wheatens examined each year has dropped by more than 60% in the last 10 years. (See statistics in Background Information below.)
        • Recommended Actions:
          1. I recommend that the Board establish a policy requiring registration of eye examinations as a condition for Breeders List eligibility. Registration with either of the two registries would be acceptable.
          2. I recommend that the Board require annual eye exams by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists as a condition for Breeders List eligibility.

          Rationale for Item 1: Registration of exam results provides a public record accessible to puppy buyers, other breeders, and the Club. It demonstrates that the COE requirement is being met. Registration of eye exams is a reasonable requirement for the privilege of being on the Breeders List. Ten years ago, when SCWTCA still published the names of dogs registered, the number of dogs examined was much higher. Public disclosure is a reminder and motivator.

          The cost of registration is reasonable. Fees are $12 for the initial registration and $8 for subsequent registrations. This is a lifetime total of $44 (based on current fees and COE requirements). This is a very small percentage of the price of one Wheaten puppy.

          Rationale for Item 2: Annual exams are recommended by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). They are the experts in this field and are the certifying board for ophthalmologists. Registration is in effect for only one year following the exam. Both eye registries follow the ACVO guidelines.

          Annual exams provide a more current assessment of eye status prior to breeding. Eye conditions are not static and vision-limiting conditions may have a late onset.

          Convenience and cost factors are not adequate reasons to support a policy requiring less frequent exams. There are ACVO vets in most states and major population centers. Many kennel clubs sponsor clinics where exam costs are reasonable. And the clinics are often held at all-breed shows.

          The privilege of Breeder’s List eligibility should command the highest standards for breeders. An exam every two years is listed as a “minimum” requirement in the COE. More than minimum should be expected for Breeders List eligibility. Being on the SCWTCA Breeders List implies excellence to the public.

          Background information: The total number of Wheatens whose eyes are examined is decreasing. During the most recently reported three year period, 2009-2011, an average of 131 Wheaten eye exams were completed compared to an average of 296 for each of the previous three years, 2006 -2008. The number of exams averaged 348 dogs per year from 1998-2002 when SCWTCA last published lists of dogs with eye exams registered.

          In addition, a large percentage of the dogs examined are young. It seems likely that many dogs are being examined only once, prior to first breeding. This means late-onset disorders may be missed. From 2006 -2011, 53% of those examined were under 3 years of age; 79% were under 5. Only 8% of those examined were over age 7 even though the COE requires eye exams through age 10. (Statistics represent exams by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists as reported to the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.)

          Hereditary eye conditions affecting vision were found in of 3.4% of 888 Wheatens examined during 2006-2008. The article, “Hereditary Eye Disease in Wheatens,” in the June 2012 issue of Benchmarks provides additional information.

          Two Eye Registry Groups: There are currently two organizations (CERF and OFA) registering eye exams by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists. For owners, the process and fees are the same. More information about both registries was included in the October 2012 report. This is a recent change, and it is too soon to predict whether one registry will be a more valuable resource for data on Wheaten eye problems.

          • Current CERF Statistical Reports: The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) continues to operate and ACVO members may continue to use its registry. CERF states that it is now current on 2012 entries and expects to have the statistical report ready in early 2013. When the 2012 results are available, 2009-2012 reports will be summarized for Benchmarks and Wheaten HealthNews
          • OFA Eye Certification Registry: This is a new registry, certifying six Wheatens in the first two months. The OFA database has continued to display CERF registrations also. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (certifying board) has endorsed the OFA Eye Certification Registry as its recommended canine eye registry beginning November 1, 2012.
      • Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) – Jana Carraway
        • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Specific Updates:
          • 26 new CHIC numbers issued.
          • 8 updates were made to existing CHIC status.
      • Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) – Kathy Eichman
        • 2011 OFA 4th Quarter Summary
          • Wheatens OFAd: 168 with 6.6% Abnormal
          • Wheaten owners who have chosen to make all results public after 2001: 25.9%
          • Hips: 31 Evaluations (1 Borderline Unilateral Left, 1 Mild Unilateral Right)
          • Elbows: 7 Evaluations
          • Patellas: 4 Evaluations
          • Degenerative Myelopathy: 2 Evaluations
          • Eyes: 5 Evaluations
        • 2012 OFA Annual Summary
          • Hips: 135 Evaluations – 131 Normal (26 Excellent, 92 Good, 13 Fair), 4 Abnormal (Mild Hip Dysplasia)
          • Elbows: 36 Evaluations – 33 Normal, 3 Abnormal (Grade 1 Dysplasia)
          • Cardiac: 10 Evaluations – 10 Normal
          • Thyroid: 1 Evaluations – 1 Normal
          • Patellas: 31 Evaluations – 31 Normal
          • Eyes: 6 Evaluations – 6 Normal
          • Baer Hearing: 0 Evaluations
          • Degenerative Myelopathy: 12 Evaluations – 4 Normal (33.3%), 5 Carriers (43.7%), 3 At Risk (25.0%)
          • From 1975 – 2012, the total Number of Wheatens OFAd – 5,952:
            17.0% Excellent, 66.7% Good, 11.2% Fair, 0.3% Borderline, 4.8% Abnormal (3.4% Mild, 1.2% Moderate and 0.2% Severe)
          • Wheatens OFAd: 131 (3.0% Abnormal)
          • Wheaten owners who have chosen to make all results public after 2001: 25.9%
    • SCWTCA Endowment – Carol Carlson
      A full 2012 financial report will be available after an audit has been completed and taxes filed in May. It will appear on the Endowment’s website and in the next issue of Wavelengths.
      • Donations for 2012 totaled $13,440.64. (Of this, $1,432.14 was a reimbursement from the SCWT GRF for their share of the DNA for PLN test kit expense.) The SCWTCA transferred $12,000 to the Endowment for the purpose of future health expenditures such as funding for the colony dogs, funding for UofP summer student, necropsies or other expenses agreed upon by SCWTCA and the Endowment. Maggie Foxmoore donated 56 scarves to be given to donors who gave $50 — twenty scarves remain. Top donors ($500 or more) received the attached letter and a gift of recognition with a set of note cards designed by Helen Moreland exclusively for the Endowment.
      • Only one Colony dog remains, a Wheaten who is 12 years old and has been eating a restricted diet since his birth. Dr. Vaden estimates that we will need approximately $5,000 to care for him through June 2013. There is $5,300 in the Colony Dog account.
      • Susan McGee resigned November 25, 2012. The Board elected Anna Marzolino to take her place as vice chair. This leaves an opening for a director.
      • Lee Martin and Bonnie O’Connor volunteered to be project managers for the Comprehensive Database that the Endowment purchased from Gary Galanos. It is based on the Berner-Garde open database (http://bernergarde.org/db/). You can visit it as a guest to see its versatility and completeness. Lee and Bonnie will make a presentation to the SCWTCA Board at the January meeting.
      • Committee of Anna Marzolino, Pam Tinnelly, and Carol Carlson is reviewing Bylaws and will submit their recommendations to the Endowment Board for approval.

2013 June

• Health Education – Cecily Skinner
  • PLN DNA Test Committee
    As previously reported, this committee has been merged into the Health Committee and functions as a sub-committee of the HC. Pam Mandeville remains as the head of the sub-committee.
    Drs. Littman and Henthorn are no longer seeking anonymous DNA donations and, subsequently, SCWTCA will no longer be supplying test kits. Kits can be obtained from Penn and results obtained for the current fee. Several articles regarding the test are in the current issue of Benchmarks and will also be in the Health Newsletter. Pam has asked Robyn to update the kit information on the website to reflect the new information. Please see Pam’s DNA Test Report for additional details and information on articles.
  • Research Opportunities
    There are several new research opportunities for Wheatens through CHF funded research and other venues. Information will be in the Health Newsletter, distributed to the SCWTCADISCUSS List and placed on the website as warranted.
  • Health Newsletter
    Roxanna has done preliminary formatting, and we are finalizing the remaining articles for the upcoming newsletter to be published mid-June.
  • Fundraising
    As indicated by the Board, no new health fundraiser is currently being researched. The trivets and napkin rings are available and proceeds go to Health. We are nearly sold out in the “Green Bags” as they continue to sell very well. Ann Leigh will continue to distribute the bags but would like to turn the job over when a replacement is found. Ann has done a fabulous job, but her duties with our local club are taking up a good deal of her time.

• • Research
    • NIH – Helen Moreland – No report
    • CPP – Elaine Azerolo
      The January report summarized the genetic research at the University of Missouri that has involved Wheatens.
      • Since January, owners of two Wheatens diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) have contacted SCWTCA and have been referred to the neurologist researching DM at UofM.
      • Liz Hansen, breed club liaison, provided the following information in April 2013. “In SCWTs thru April 8th, we have tested 88 dogs for DM – of these, 45 tested normal, 18 tested carrier, and 25 tested affected/at risk. In Kerry Blues, where they knew they did have DM before we found the mutation, we have a similar frequency of the disease, though they’ve tested far more dogs – they’ve tested 558 KBTs with 254 Normal, 223 Carrier, and 81 Affected/At Risk. There have been other diseases of more concern in both these breeds, but it’s probably wise for breeders of both to pay attention to DM so that it can be avoided in future generations.” Information about DM and the DNA test is listed at http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/.
    • Open Registry and Geriatric – Carol Carlson and Anna Marzolino – No report
      Article by Dr. Littman appeared in June Benchmarks
    • Colony Dogs – Holly Craig – No report

• • Registries
    • • Canine Eye Registry Foundation – Elaine Azerolo
        • An article updating hereditary eye disease data and eye registry changes was written for publication in Benchmarks, June 2013 issue and the next Wheaten HealthNews. Disease data from 2009-2012 CERF reports were summarized. CERF statistical analysis for 2011 and 2012 were released in March 2013.
        • Significant findings in the data include the following: hereditary eye disease, which affects vision, occurred in 4.5% of the 512 Wheatens examined. Cataracts were the most common hereditary problem affecting vision in Wheatens. Six Wheatens with significant cataracts were under the age of 3 years.
        • As previously reported, there are currently two organizations registering eye exams by board certified veterinary ophthalmologists. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (certifying board) has endorsed the OFA Eye Certification Registry as its recommended canine eye registry beginning November 1, 2012. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) also continues to operate. OFA is listing registrations from CERF in a separate search category, but includes both on individual dog data pages.
        • At this time, it appears that most ACVO ophthalmologists are using the OFA forms and registry. There were 32 Wheatens registered with OFA and 6 registered with CERF between January 1 and May 15, 2013. (Note that the number of dogs registered is not the same as the number of dogs examined.)
        • Kathy Eichmann, SCWTCA liaison with OFA, has kindly shared the eye section of OFA quarterly reports with me.
      • Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) – Jana Carraway
        Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Specific Updates:
        • 20 New CHIC Numbers Issued
        • 8 Updates were made to existing CHIC Status
    • • Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) – Kathy Eichman
        Statistics for 2013 to date 1st Quarter:
        • Hips: 45 Evaluations (1 Re-do where rating was changed from Fair to Good)
        • Elbows: 3 Evaluations
        • Patellas: 14 Evaluations
        • Cardiac: 12 Evaluations
        • Eyes: 27 Evaluations

• Health Committee Reports
  • SCWTCA Calendar Fundraiser – Mary Ann Curtis & Julie Burdick
    We had another successful fundraising year with the 2013 Calendar. Sales were down slightly from prior years, selling just over 550 calendars, raising approximately $6,000 for Wheaten Health. The 2014 calendar is well underway. Our goal will be to have the calendar complete and to the printers by September 1st with the calendar being ready for sell at the boutique at Montgomery. As of this writing, we are waiting to hear from 4 local clubs regarding their intent to sponsor the calendar or not. Denver, Milwaukee, Northern Cal and Tampa Bay clubs have all agreed to sponsor the 2014 Calendar. Please let us know if you have questions or concerns.
  • U OF Missouri Canine Phenome Project (CPP) Annual Report – Elaine Azerolo
    • DNA Research of Interest to Wheaten Owners
      Neurological disorders which occur in Wheatens are the subject of two research studies at the University of Missouri. Samples from Wheatens with clinical symptoms will help advance this research. Liz Hansen, breed club liaison for the Animal Molecular Genetics Laboratory, supplied updates on September 12, 2013.
    • Unnamed Movement Disorder in Wheatens (episodic dyskinesia/ataxia)
      An unnamed neurological disorder characterized by extreme, erratic, uncontrolled movement of legs, body and/or head has been observed in a few very young Wheatens. A whole genome sequence (WGS) has been completed using DNA from an affected Wheaten puppy necropsied in 2012. Liz Hansen said, “We are continuing to analyze the data from the WGS in search of the mutation responsible for this disorder. We’ve also had samples from some additional affected dogs submitted recently.” Dr. Dennis O’Brien, Professor of Neurology, is the lead researcher.
    • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Research at the University of Missouri and Broad Institute
      UofM previously identified a genetic mutation that increases a dog’s risk of developing Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). A DNA test was developed for the mutation. Research is on-going to determine if additional genetic or environmental factors explain why age of onset of symptoms is variable and why some dogs testing as at risk may never exhibit clinical symptoms. Dogs testing as Affected/At Risk (2 copies of the mutation) are considered at risk for developing DM at some point in their lives. Dogs that test as Carriers (one mutated copy and one normal copy) and dogs that test as Normal (two normal copies) are considered very unlikely to develop DM.
      • Liz Hansen provided information on Wheatens tested through September 12, 2013. “We’ve now DNA tested 103 SCWT (current through today). Of these, 46 are Normal, 21 are Carrier, 36 are Affected/At Risk. We have received spinal cords from 3 clinically affected (and genetically Affected/At Risk) SCWTs, and all 3 did show the cellular changes to the spinal cord that confirm DM. We’re happy to evaluate more cords if people send them, but it’s clear that the disease is present, and probably more common than the Wheaten community was aware …”.
    • Wheaten DNA Bank – Canine Phenome Project
      There are over 1,100 Wheaten samples stored in the DNA bank at the University of Missouri. Most were collected as part of the Canine Phenome Project (CPP) during 2009 – 2011. Genetic research conducted at the University of Missouri using Wheaten DNA samples includes ongoing studies on Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), an unnamed movement disorder in young Wheatens, primary lens luxation (2009), and the Wheaten Sibling Pairs (SPP) protein-losing comparison study (2010). Wheaten DNA stored at the University of Missouri will be shared with researchers at other institutions for studies that meet specific criteria. This includes the NIH SCWT Lifetime Study.
  • Conformation Assessment Program (CAP) Committee Report – Cindy Vogels
    The committee is looking into having CAP evaluations available during the Palm Springs show weekend. We are continuing to streamline the form in trying to make the Conformation Assessment Program an optimum tool for SCWT breeder education.
  • Eye Registry Annual Report – Elaine Azerolo
    Significant Changes 2012-2013:
    • A new eye registry and database was established by OFA. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) jointly established a database to track results of canine eye examinations and a certification registry effective November 1, 2012. The SCWTCA Board established a new Breeder’s List policy requiring registration of eye exams. At its January 2013 meeting, the SCWTCA Board approved a policy requiring registration of eye exams as a condition for Breeder’s List eligibility. Registration may be with either the OFA or the CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation).
    • Eye Registry Participation 2012-2013
      Eighty-one (81) Wheaten eye exams were registered from September 2012 through August 2013, 56 with OFA and 25 with CERF. At this time, it appears that most ACVO ophthalmologists are using the OFA forms and registry. There have been 56 Wheatens registered with OFA and 16 registered with CERF since OFA opened its registry on November 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013.
    • Current Wheaten Hereditary Eye Disease Data
      Hereditary eye disease that affects vision occurred in 4.5% of the Wheatens examined in 2009-2012. An additional 4.9% had eye disorders presumed to be hereditary but currently not thought to affect vision. Additional specific information is included in a June 2013 Benchmarks article.
    • Committee Activity 2012 – 2013
      I obtained statistical reports from CERF. In September 2012 , CERF sent previously unavailable statistical reports for 2010 and 2011 and an updated report for 2009. In January 2013, CERF released the statistics for 2012. Prepared June 2013 Benchmarks article summarizing results of 512 Wheaten eye examinations during 2009 – 2012 based on CERF statistical reports. The article included the latest hereditary eye disease data for Wheatens. It also described procedures for using OFA or CERF for eye exam registration. The article also appeared in Wheaten HealthNews, Summer 2013. I responded to SCWTCA Discuss posts and private emails regarding eye exams, disorders, and registries. Most inquiries related to eye registry options and procedures.
  • PLN DNA Test Committee
    We have had several requests from breeders and others for an easy to understand handout on what the DNA Test results mean for the Wheaten owner. Pam and I are going to pick this project up after Montgomery. We are hoping to get a new article from Meryl to include in the handout. In July, Dr. Littman reached out to us to let us know that the Airedale Terrier Club’s Health Committee was interested in leveraging some of our work. As those who read the research reports from Drs Littman and Henthorn over the last few years noted, there are some Airedales with PLN. Pam and I both spoke with the chair of the ATC Health Committee about our experience and resources and have agreed to assist them as we can. They are in the early days of understanding the disease as well as its prevalence in the breed. As an aside, Pam has received inquiries about test kits from a few Airedale breeders. Dr. Littman and Dr. Henthorn will be speaking to the Airedale Club on the Thursday evening prior to Montgomery. Dr. Littman, Dr. Henthorn, and Claire Wiley will be joining us at the Annual Dinner and Meeting and will be available for questions at both the boutique and the dinner.Research Opportunities
  • I have contacted the Broad Institute regarding their Renal Dysplasia research to get additional information on their request for samples from affected dogs.
  • We received a Mid-Term Grant Progress Report for Grant: 01658: ‘Urinary Protein and Gene Expression Characterization and Comparison with Renal Biopsy Findings and Clinical Data in Dogs with Proteinuric Renal Diseases’ (Principal Investigator: Dr. Mary B Nabity, DVM, PhD and Research Institution: Texas AgriLife). Research Details will be included in the Health Newsletter and uploaded to the HC Yahoo Group.
  • Website
    After her tenure as Corresponding Secretary concludes, Anna will work with the HC on a complete update of the Health Section of the club website. Anna and I met and discussed a number of new areas we want to include as well as a review of all testing information to include any changes or additions that have come into common use. This will be ongoing for a bit as we are planning an extensive makeover. Robyn and Anna have discussed this as well.
  • CHIC Liaison
    Jana Carraway has stepped down as liaison. I’ll notify the board as soon as a replacement is found.
  • Breed Health Survey
    It has been about 20 years since a general breed health survey has been done. I gathered all the information to do the survey with TAMU at the request of a prior board, but after being on a waiting with Margaret Slater for over two years, the board at that time decided to table it. It has come up for discussion again via the Endowment and others. When I was at the CHF Conference, I spoke with many breed clubs who had done surveys recently through OFA and were pleased with the results. There are drawbacks to doing the survey with OFA versus a University primarily in data interpretation. Elaine Azerolo has agreed to head up this project and will check into costs, health data that can be tailored to our breed, and the pros and cons of both the University and OFA options. I will get back to the board with the details when available.
    ACTION ITEM: Permission to move forward with the research into a Breed Health Survey with the intention of making the survey once determined, available to all Wheaten owners.
  • Health Newsletter
    The Summer edition has been published, and work is underway for the Fall edition.
  • OFA Report – Kathy Eichman
    • Hips: 46 Evaluations plus (2 Preliminary, 1 Mild HD (unilateral right – no OFA number issued)
    • Elbows: 11 Evaluations plus (1Degenerative Joint Disease – no OFA number issued)
    • Patellas: 8 Evaluations
    • DDB: 1 Evaluation plus 1 Saliva Kit with no OFA number for the Saliva Kit
    • Degenerative Myelopathy: 1 Evaluation plus 1 “At Risk” – no OFA number issued
    • Eyes: 18 Evaluations
    • To date, 3 people have submitted copies of Normal PennHip Evaluation Reports for a total of 6 dogs. The people are:
      • Patricia Weir: 2 PennHip Evaluations
      • Meg Ryan: 3 PennHip Evaluations
      • Carol Burge: 1 PennHip Evaluation