WHITE 
SWISS 
SHEPHERDS

There are several notable health issues in this breed which can be tested for. All passing OFA results are posted publicly on the OFA website (dogs 24 months old and older). If you can not find these health results online, we suggest double checking with the breeder of interest that they not only tests for these, but also has hard/digital copies available to show. 

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At Lunaria Shepherds, we test for all testable genetic health issues that affect the White Swiss Shepherd breed. Radiograph evaluations are sent to OFA (www.ofa.org) at around 2 years of age and genetic testing is also completed through Embark (www.embarkvet.com). 

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1. Hip Dysplasia 

Canine Hip Dysplasia typically develops because of an abnormally developed hip joint, but can also be caused by cartilage damage from a traumatic fracture.With cartilage damage or a hip joint that isn’t formed properly, over time the existing cartilage will lose its thickness and elasticity. This breakdown of the cartilage will eventually result in pain with any joint movement. The severity of the disease can be affected by genetic or environmental factors, such as caloric intake or level of exercise. There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong and some dogs with barely any arthritic x-ray evidence that are severely lame. Screenings for Hip Dysplasia are performed by a veterinarian with x-rays sent to OFA for grading and certification. Dogs who show signs of Hip Dysplasia should not be bred as the cause can also be genetic. 

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2. Elbow Dysplasia
In the USA, testing for elbow joint issues is done only through OFA. Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow. Clinical signs involve lameness which may remain subtle for long periods of time. No one can predict at what age lameness will occur in a dog due to a large number of genetic and environmental factors such as degree of severity of changes, rate of weight gain, amount of exercise, etc.. Subtle changes in gait may be characterized by excessive inward deviation of the paw which raises the outside of the paw so that it receives less weight and distributes more mechanical weight on the outside (lateral) aspect of the elbow joint away from the lesions located on the inside of the joint. Range of motion in the elbow is also decreased. Dogs who show signs of Elbow Dysplasia should not be bred as the cause can also be genetic. 

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3. MDR1 (Multiple Drug Resistance)
The word mutation refers to a change in an animal’s genetic code. The phrase ‘multi-drug resistance mutation 1 (MDR1)’ refers to a specific mutation that can occur at a gene known as the MDR1 gene, also known as the ABCB1 gene. Many herding breeds (most commonly Collies and Australian Shepherds) have a mutation at the MDR1 gene that makes them more sensitive to the negative effects of certain medications. These drugs include several anti-parasitic agents (when given at high doses), the antidiarrheal agent loperamide (Imodium®), and several anticancer drugs. Dogs with MDR1 mutations will show negative effects from these drugs at doses that are readily tolerated by dogs without the mutation.

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4. DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)
 

Degenerative myelopathy (DM), also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM), is a disease affecting the spinal cord, resulting in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis. The symptoms result from degeneration of the white matter of the spinal cord. DM is similar to some of the forms of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The exact cause of DM is unknown. In its early stages, the symptoms of DM resemble those of osteoarthritis (arthritis), which often occurs secondary to hip dysplasia in many large breed dogs, making diagnosis challenging.

In later stages of the disease, the progressive weakness and ataxia (wobbling, stumbling) distinguish it from osteoarthritis of the hip joints. Other considerations for this condition include spinal injuries, spinal tumors, lumbosacral stenosis, fibrocartilaginous embolism, myasthenia gravis, and discospondylitis.

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Health page to be continued