By Dr. Plechner & David Spangenburg
Originally posted Sept. 1, 2011 on www.theopinionsector.com
There was a time, many years ago, when dog breeders had a mission. Pure and healthy breeding to promote their breed’s natural function. Today’s breeds are a product of designer breeding, mixing traits and structure to insure size, coat colors and other surface appearances. Producing litters like lines of fashion with no thought about the possible genetic consequences.
These proliferating practices have continued exponentially for many decades. The results are, ersatz breeds which are, in realty, genetic cripples, predestined by Mother Nature not to prosper. These unfortunate animals are condemned to poor health and shortened life spans. “Holes” have been “dug” for many breeds, Inescapable destinies most may not be able to avoid. However, there is still hope for these unfortunate cash and crash casualties.
Often when a breed becomes popular, a number of irresponsible breeders jump on board because they think that they will make lots of money by being fur peddlers. The sad truth is that they can. A good example of this inhuman practice are the beautiful but medically troubled, cavalier King Charles spaniels. I love the breed, but they are plagued by health problems.
By the age of only 5 years, over one half of all King Charles spaniels’ hearts are afflicted by mitral valve disease (MVD). This terminal illness afflicts almost all Cavaliers by 10 years of age. If that wasn’t bad enough, Syringomyelia (a disorder of the brain and spinal cord, is persistently pervasive in the breed. The disorder. attacks the spinal cord and the brain and can possibly lead to paralysis. Either of these genetic defects are a deadly price to pay just for “points” in a dog show.
You can not breed perfection! “Gene bending” comes at too high a price. Is perfection worth possible allergies, autoimmunity and even cancer? The struggles of a low sperm count, early abortion and absorption of the fetuses can all possibly be controlled and eventually corrected through the identification of this genetically induced hormone antibody imbalances, the Atypical Cortisol Estrogen Imbalance Syndrome (ACEIS) or as the public refers to it as Plechner’s Syndrome. A simple hormone antibody test should be done on the prospective parents before the actual breeding is performed.
There are too many cavalier King Charles spaniels owners who are now dealing with the deadly effects of “gene bending“. It is far better to discern the cause of the problem before the effects ravage the innocent sufferers. A proper blood test should be done on both parents before they are allowed to even get close, let alone, breed. You may find that you need to breed to a different mate to dilute out any possible genetic problems.
Have your CKCSs tested. If a problem is detected, a protocol of proper hormone balancing has been developed which will deal directly with the source of the imbalance and not just treat the effects. There is away to create a breed for the future, free of these deadly health problems. If you are interested, you may want to check out. Be sure to read our new book Against the Odds, Given up for Dead, coming out soon on Amazon Books.
