A study recently released by the University of Surrey said that dog breeding is having some drawbacks. The measurements of 155 Griffon Bruxellois showed that some of the Griffons had a disease, called a Chiari malformation, which caused their foreheads to be taller and it also caused the shape of their brain to change. This disease can be asymptomatic in some dogs, but in others it can cause headaches and problems with walking, with some of these problems being severe enough to be paralysis. This disease can also occur in humans if parts of the skull bone fuse too early, thus causing parts of the brain to be pushed.
Researchers at the University of Surrey are attempting to solve this problem by studying it more along with human geneticists at the University of Montreal to improve treatment for humans and dogs. The Chiara malformation can be very painful. It can put a lot of pressure on the brain which causes cavities in the spinal cord being filled with fluid. The researchers are also working on ways to detect it easier. The goals are to detect it at a younger age and with a single MRI scan.
Themes of Nature
Science is collaborative. - Researches from the University of Surrey and the University of Montreal worked together.
Sebastian Deibel
Chiari malformation is not the only problem to come from selective breeding for looks. When I was searching for a dog to buy, I had to take into consideration the heritage and health problems of the parents, or the breeds. One of the most common health problems in small dogs that are selectively breed are knee problems. Hip problems are more commonly found in large dogs. Overall, the research that I did pointed to one thing, it is better to selectively breed the dogs based on their genetic make up, this can help eliminate future health problems. If your are interested in the health and welfare of your dog go to this website to find out simply remedies: http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/home-remedies-keep-your-dog-healthy#.
ReplyDelete