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ALL OF OUR FRENCHIES HAVE DNA TESTING DONE 

Diseases we test for through DNA testing  can be read about below.

The definitions of the diseases are directly from Animal Genetics Incorporated.

 

CMR1 – Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (CMR) is an autosomal recessive eye disorder known to affect Great Pyrenees, English Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs, Australian Shepherds, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Bulldogs, American Bulldogs, Coton de Tulears, Perro de Presa Canario, and Cane Corsos.

The mutation causes raised lesions to form on the retina which alters the appearance of the eye but usually does not affect sight. The lesions may disappear, or may result in minor retinal folding. Symptoms of the mutation usually appear when a puppy is only a few months old, and generally do not worsen over time.

 

 

HUU - Hyperuricosuria– Dogs with this genetic mutation metabolize waste products as uric acid in their urine. The uric acid forms into hard stones in the bladder, causing pain and inflammation as the stone moves through the urinary tract.

A dog that has difficulty urinating or appears to have an inflamed bladder may have HUU. Other signs can include blood in the urine and frequent urination. If the dog is unable to pass the urate stones without medical intervention, surgery may be required to remove them. And if the urinary tract is blocked, the condition can be life threatening. Even in the best case scenario, HUU is uncomfortable and painful for the dog.

The mutation is autosomal recessive. Both parents will need to be carriers of the mutation to pass it on to their offspring. Carriers will not show any symptoms of HUU and even affected dogs may not show any signs, so it is important to test dogs for HUU prior to breeding.

 

 

JHC – Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts (JHC) are a clouding of the lens of the eye caused by a breakdown of tissue in the eye. This condition generally results in an inability to see clearly and can cause total blindness. In canines, cataracts are often familial; this type is known as Hereditary Cataracts. A mutation in the HSF4 gene causes this type of cataracts in several breeds of dogs. In this case, the dog is typically affected bilaterally, in that both eyes are affected by the cataracts. The cataracts associated with HSF4 also occur in the posterior region of the lens. They usually start by being small and grow progressively, though the speed of growth is highly variable. Some cataracts will grow so slowly that the dog’s vision remains relatively clear, while others will grow such a way that the dog will quickly go blind. Corrective surgery is possible, though it is costly and is not always effective.

 

Cystinuria is a genetic disorder that can affect some dog breeds, including French Bulldogs. It's essential to differentiate between different types and variants of Cystinuria, including Type 3 variants 2 and 3, as they may have distinct genetic mutations and clinical implications. Here's an overview of Cystinuria Type 3 variants 2 and 3 in French Bulldogs:

 

Cystinuria Type 3 Variant 2: Cystinuria Type 3 Variant 2 is a specific genetic variation associated with the disorder. It results in the impaired transport of amino acids, including cystine, in the kidneys and urinary tract. Dogs with this variant may be at greater risk of forming cystine stones in their urinary tract, which can lead to urinary problems.

 

Cystinuria Type 3 Variant 3: Cystinuria Type 3 Variant 3 is another specific genetic variation related to Cystinuria in dogs. Like other Cystinuria variants, it involves the disruption of amino acid transport in the kidneys and urinary tract, potentially leading to the formation of cystine stones.

 

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord of dogs. DM is a recessive disorder; however, symptoms can present themselves even with one copy of the defective gene. If a dog has one copy of DM, they can still develop DM symptoms. However, their chance for developing symptoms is less compared to a dog with two copies of the DM mutation. Genetic testing reveals the susceptibility of dogs developing DM. It is important to note that even though a dog possesses two copies of DM, it does not mean that the dog will develop symptoms of DM. It simply means that the likelihood of the dog developing DM symptoms is much higher than average.

 

*Key Facts About DM in French Bulldogs

• No Confirmed Cases: Despite testing, no scientifically verified cases of DM-induced paralysis have been documented in purebred French Bulldogs.

• The "At-Risk" Misconception: While many Frenchies inherit the SOD1 gene mutation, they lack the specific, unknown secondary genetic factors required for the disease to manifest.

• Genetic Testing: Testing for DM is often considered unnecessary for French Bulldogs, as the test results do not correlate with clinical disease.