Keepsake Tollers

Any dog can fall victim to a wide range of acquired problems that range from acne to viral diseases, from allergies to cancer. The Toller is no exception. Many of the health problems that are currently affecting Tollers could be eliminated with screening prior to breeding for the known health issues currently facing Tollers. Failure to screen for hereditary problems before breeding often results in the "doubling up" of unfavorable genes. The following are some of the more common hereditary problems that are that may be encountered in Tollers.

EYE DISEASE

Most if not all lines of Tollers carry genes for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) which is progressive deterioration of the light-receptive area (retina) of the eye, and may result in complete blindness late in the dogs life. Early on affected dogs are nightblind, lacking the ability to adjust their vision to dim light; later their daytime vision also fails. Recently a gene marker has been identified for PRA in the Toller. A simple DNA blood test can determine if your Toller is clear (Type A), a carrier (Type B) of affected with PRA (Type C). There is only one labratory currently doing the test for PRA. Your veterinarian can draw the blood and send it to Optigen for testing.

Hereditary cataracts are another hereditary eye problem in the Toller breed. There are non-hereditary cataracts which sometimes occur, and examination by a Board-certified veterinary is necessary to determine if the cataract is or is not of concern from a genetic standpoint.

Eye exams of breeding stock should be done annually, until at least eight years of age and preferably longer, as hereditary eye problems can develop at varying ages. The examination should be made by a Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist who has the special equipment and training needed to properly examine the dog's eyes. Dogs that have been examined by a Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist and found to be free of hereditary eye disease can be registered with the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) which assigns the dog a number.

HYPOTHYROIDISM

This is a generalized metabolic disease characterized by atrophy or malfunction of the thyroid gland. Symptoms can include obesity, lethargy, coat problems, and also may have reproductive problems, including irregular or absent heat cycles, and lack of fertility in both male and female. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism is by laboratory blood tests. Once diagnosed, daily administration of L-thyroxine orally can allow the Toller to have a normal lifespan, although the dog will probably require lifelong thyroid supplementation.

HIP DYSPLASIA

Hip Dysplasia is a disease that is common in many of the larger breeds. It is the poor development of the formation of the hip joint and describes a developmental disease in young dogs of many different breeds. Hip dysplasia is an inherited defect and dogs diagnosed with the disease should not be bred. Hip dysplasia cannot be detected in the new born puppy, but usually appear in the rapid growth period between four and nine months of age. Signs of the disease can vary from slight irregularities of gait to crippling lameness. Improvement or even apparent disappearance of lameness can occur as the dog matures, as a result of the joint stabilizing, inflammation subsiding, and musculature strengthening. However, the dysplastic dog can possibly develop arthritis later in life. X-ray examination of the hip joints is the only accurate way to determine if the disease is present. Dogs intended for breeding should be X-rayed when fully mature in order to select for sound hips. Two years of age is considered to be the minimum age for accurate radiographic determination of desirable conformation. X-rays should be sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for a diagnostic evaluation. The dysplastic dog should not be used for breeding.