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| BTCA
Health
Committee Study
Updates |
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OBSESSIVE
COMPULSIVE DISORDER IN BULL TERRIERS – TUFTS
Provided by Bryen Von Priece - August 2008
As most are aware, Dr. Alice Moon-Fanelli of Tufts University is steadily
seeking owners that are willing to donate blood from their purebred Bull
Terriers for a study that will hopefully lead to the cure for “spinning”/
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) which is highly prevalent in the breed.
I’d like to share Dr. Moon-Fanelli’s July ‘08 message
and update everyone on the hope and promise that those that have donated
to this cause have brought us;
Hi
Bryen,
Within
the week I will be submitting a paper for publication describing the phenotypic
characteristics of tail chasing in 145 Bull Terriers. (Not all of these
145 dogs submitted blood for DNA) It usually takes some 6 months from
the time of submission until it is published. This descriptive paper is
necessary before publishing genetic results. The next job will be analyzing
the pedigrees and performing statistical analysis to determine the mode
of inheritance. Then we're off to look for the genes involved as soon
as we raise enough money to pay for theanalysis.
We currently have DNA and survey data on 111 controls and 84 affecteds.
I've attached an updated blurb I may or may not have sent you last time
you requested info.I still am looking for more blood samples and completed
surveys along with pedigrees for standard bull terrier tail chasers.
Hope
all is well
Alice
There is nothing like a good cause to get us all together. As our health
committee had hoped, it has been good for us all.
Just to remind, though this positive news is very encouraging and received
with warmth, Dr. Moon-Fanelli needs more of us that know of Bull Terriers
that have some tail-chasing tendencies to participate in the study. Your
blood donation is held in the strictest confidence and you’ll be
helping so many litters to come. If we find the gene that causes this
neurological hurdle it can only make the Bull Terrier an even better companion
to those of us that enjoy the pleasures loving this quirky chum.
Satisfy your thirst for knowledge on this subject by logging on to www.btneuro.orgFollow
the links to participate in the study. Please log-in and stop the “spin”.
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