Breed distribution and history of canine mdr1-1Δ

Breed distribution and history of caninemdr1-1Δ, a pharmacogenetic mutation that marks the emergence of breeds from the collie lineage

1. Mark W. Neff * , †, 
2. Kathryn R. Robertson *, 
3. Aaron K. Wong *, 
4. Noa Safra*, 
5. Karl W. Broman ‡, 
6. Montgomery Slatkin §, 
7. Katrina L. Mealey ¶, and
8. Niels C. Pedersen *

+Author Affiliations

1. ^*Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616; ^‡Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205; ^§Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720; and ^¶Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164

1. Edited by Arno G. Motulsky, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, and approved June 22, 2004 (received for review April 3, 2004)

 

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Abstract

A mutation in the canine multidrug resistance gene, MDR1, has previously been associated with drug sensitivities in two breeds from the collie lineage. We exploited breed phylogeny and reports of drug sensitivity to survey other purebred populations that might be genetically at risk. We found that the same allele, mdr1-1Δ, segregated in seven additional breeds, including two sighthounds that were not expected to share collie ancestry. A mutant haplotype that was conserved among affected breeds indicated that the allele was identical by descent. Based on breed histories and the extent of linkage disequilibrium, we conclude that all dogs carrying mdr1-1Δ are descendants of a dog that lived in Great Britain before the genetic isolation of breeds by registry (ca. 1873). The breed distribution and frequency of mdr1-1Δ have applications in veterinary medicine and selective breeding, whereas the allele's history recounts the emergence of formally recognized breeds from an admixed population of working sheepdogs.

Please go here to read the rest of this informative article.

Puppies Only Pick Up Yawns When They're Old Enough To Understand Empathy

Dogs catch contagious yawns just like people, baboons and chimps, which can be used as a measure of empathy. But this is a behavior they learn after they emerge from youngest puppyhood, a new study says. Like people, young dogs show a developmental trend in their likelihood of catching yawns. This is the first time anyone has studied young-organism yawning in a species other than people.

Anyone who owns a dog knows you can catch a yawn from your pet, and vice versa. My dog, a 5-year-old border collie rescue, has this piercing yawn-peak squeal and head shiver that literally makes it impossible not to catch it. And I have seen her watching me, yawning after I do.

She would have started this after about seven months of age, according to this new study, authored by researchers at Lund University in Denmark. Elainie Alenkær Madsen and Tomas Persson took 35 Danish dogs between four and 14 months old and played and cuddled with them. Then they either yawned at the dogs' faces or gaped, mimicking a yawn. They wrote down what the dogs did in response, and found that puppies younger than seven months of age didn't really do anything.

About half of the dogs that did yawn got tired, the researchers say. Some of them got so sleepy that the experimenter had to prevent them from falling asleep.

This fits with the development track of humans, the researchers say. Kids start to demonstrate contagious yawns--demonstrating empathy--around four years old, when they develop cognitive abilities like identifying others' emotional states.

The researchers say the puppy yawns reflect a general developmental pattern common to humans and other animals. Affective empathy is something that develops slowly in very early youth, they say. The study appears in Animal Cognition.

See the original article here: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-10/puppies-pick-yawns-later-life-when-theyre-old-enough-understand-empathy

Must See TV: Dogs that Changed the World

Feeding Your Pet from the Perspective of Holistic Chinese Medicine | PetFoodDirect.com

Interesting article on food from a different perspective. Click through to read the whole article.

Feeding Your Pet from the Perspective of Holistic Chinese Medicine | PetFoodDirect.com: "Since the onset of my veterinary career, I’ve had a strong interest in how the foods our pets consume contribute to an overall state of wellness or illness. Learning how to apply this interest to my patients took many years of post-veterinary school practice, continuing education, and an ongoing belief in the inherent nutritional benefits of whole foods.

During veterinary school, students’ brains are heavily saturated with a variety of academic information. As graduation date nears, a general sense of insecurity develops about making the appropriate professional choices to best serve our patients. As a result, common sense notions about the value of looking more discerningly at the ingredients formulating a pet’s diet are often overlooked."

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Social Dominance Is Not a Myth: Wolves, Dogs and Other Animals | The Bark

Social Dominance Is Not a Myth: Wolves, Dogs and Other Animals | The Bark: "The concept of dominance has been, and remains, a very important one that has been misunderstood and misused, often by those who haven't spent much time conducting detailed studies of other animals, including those living in the wild.

Dominance is a fact. Nonhuman (and human) animals dominate one another in a number of ways. Individuals may dominate or control (1) access to various resources including food, potential and actual mates, territory, resting and sleeping areas, and the location in a group that's most protected from predators; (2) the movements of others; or (3) the attention of others, an idea put forth by Michael Chance and Ray Larsen. Even if dominance interactions are rare, they do occur, and that is why it's important to log many hours observing known individuals. As one gets to know individuals in a group he or she also learns more and more about the subtle ways in which a wide variety of social messages are communicated, including those used in interactions in which one individual controls another."

Please click through to read this fascinating article.

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It’s Always Tick Season Somewhere… - Whole Dog Journal Blog Article

It’s Always Tick Season Somewhere… - Whole Dog Journal Blog Article:

"Once upon a time, I used to think ticks were just gross -- and of course painful for the dog. But I’ve become increasingly aware of the number of people who have been infected with Lyme disease from tick bites – and in just the past year, newly aware of the tick-borne diseases that dogs can get from tick bites."

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Can Dogs Read Minds? Not Exactly : Discovery News

Can Dogs Read Minds? Not Exactly : Discovery News:

"Dogs often seem to be psychic, anticipating what we're going to say or do, and now research reveals one secret behind this canine ESP: Dogs intensely track our eye movements, which can be tied to intent.

Human babies also possess the ability, described in the latest Current Biology. The discovery might help to explain why so many people treat their furry pals like their kids."

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Guide to Pet Safety | Pet Poison Helpline

Guide to Pet Safety | Pet Poison Helpline:

Unfortunately, each year thousands of dogs and cats suffer from accidental ingestion of household poisons. Part of our mission is to lower this number, but we need your help. As a pet owner, are you aware of the common toxins that can�poison your pet? Common household items such as foods, medications, chemicals, and plants can harm your pet if ingested. We’ll teach you how to poison proof your home, and help you understand the signs and symptoms of dog or cat poisoning.

Click through to a very informative website, one you will want to save and refer to in an emergency.

America's Pet Frenzy

A very cool graphic on Pet Ownership in America from The Frugal Dad. Peek around his site, he has some other (non-pet related) neat graphics as well as some terrific information on being frugal.




Source: frugaldad.com

KPA Tip of the Week: Scent Seek and Eat! | Karen Pryor Clickertraining

KPA Tip of the Week: Scent Seek and Eat! | Karen Pryor Clickertraining:

"Looking for fun enrichment games to play with your brilliant puppy or dog? Do your dogs enjoy playing with feeder toys? Well, here is a fun activity that is also budget-friendly. All you need are clean towels, delicious food and treats for dogs, and a canine buddy that enjoys finding healthy food items. (watch the video to see a fun variation of this game)!"

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How to Greet a Dog (or Not!)

Recently there was an anchorwomen bitten on air by a dog she did not know well. While there is no blame to lay, the woman made some classic mistakes while interacting with the dog. Indeed, the dog should not have bitten, however, the interaction inadvertently invited his negative response, ending in surgery for the woman and quarantine for the dog.

I thought it timely to post the poster below, click here to view it larger.

The lesson here is that sometimes it is better to follow 'rules' than our instincts. I know I am easily persuaded to coo at a cute dog, but truly, if you do not know the dog well, it may be a mistake. Be sure to teach young children the same, children are at eye level with many dogs, making it even easier for them to be in the dog's face.

Health Benefits of Pets - How Owning a Dog or Cat Can Reduce Stress

Health Benefits of Pets - How Owning a Dog or Cat Can Reduce Stress:

"For those who love animals, it’s virtually impossible to stay in a bad mood when a pair of loving puppy eyes meets yours, or when a super-soft cat rubs up against your hand. Research supports the mood-enhancing benefits of pets. A recent study found that men with AIDS were less likely to suffer from depression if they owned a pet. (According to one study, men with AIDS who did not own a pet were about three times more likely to report symptoms of depression than men who did not have AIDS. But men with AIDS who had pets were only about 50 percent more likely to report symptoms of depression, as compared to men in the study who did not have AIDS.)"

Please click through for more on this interesting article. You might be surprised the ways animals help us...

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The Not-so-Great Dane video: Patience ≠ Permission | Saving Starfish

Great post (please take the time to follow the inner link to the video she writes about) about body language and what our dogs are telling us. So many people really have no idea their dogs are saying 'no' and not 'yes'. While the dog may not be a border collie, the unspoken language applies.

The Not-so-Great Dane video: Patience ≠ Permission | Saving Starfish: "Body language is so important to dogs. They can’t say, “I am uncomfortable with this” in English. "

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The Science of Flatulence

Reposted from the Bark:

The Science of Flatulence

There’s more to it than meets the nose!

Shea Cox, DVM | January 25, 2012

As much as we might hate to admit it, flatulence is a normal biological function. A surprising amount of air is swallowed just with the simple act of eating, and if this is not burped out, it must exit through the other end. The amount of air swallowed tends to be increased when dogs feel they must eat quickly or in brachycephalic breeds (dogs with a compressed upper jaw and a short muzzle) that tend to breathe more by mouth than by nose.

Flatulence comes from an excess of gases in the intestinal tract. These gases may represent air that has been swallowed, gas produced in the biochemical process of digestion, gas diffusion from the bloodstream or gases produced by the bacteria that populate the intestinal tract. Contrary to popular belief, more than 99 percent of the gases that pass from the intestinal tract are odorless (whew!).

Dietary fiber in pet food is not easily digested by the pet’s own enzyme systems, but it is, however, readily digested by the gas-producing bacteria that live in the colon. As fiber is broken down here, hydrogen sulfide is produced, which is the cause of the really stinky gases. Therefore, a diet that is heavy in fiber further promotes a “happy environment” as well as “food” for the bacteria, ultimately producing more gas.   

Helping clear the air

Offering your pet a highly digestible, low-residue diet is one of the major ways to combat flatulence. A low-residue diet is designed to reduce the frequency and volume of stools, while prolonging transit time through the intestine. It is similar to a low-fiber diet, but includes restrictions on foods that increase bowel activity. Changing to a low-residue diet means that most of the nutrients of the food are digested and absorbed by the pet beforethey reach the colon, where the gas-forming bacteria live. Less food for the bacteria equals less bacteria, which equals less gas formed.

Sometimes just going through a case and/or bag of such a low-residue diet solves the problem and the pet can return to a regular food afterwards. If necessary, the therapeutic diet can become the pet’s regular food. Low-residue diets are available through your veterinarian, pet supply stores or can be cooked at home (boiled white rice, skinned chicken, cottage cheese and balanced with vitamins and minerals constitute low-residue ingredients).

Other easy changes that can help include:

• Feeding smaller meals several times daily instead of one larger daily meal
• Feeding a mixture of dry and canned foods
• Discouraging rapid eating by placing an overturned small bowl inside the pet’s regular food bowl, preventing them from taking large mouthfuls
• Avoiding soy, beans and peas in the diet
• Avoiding any treats containing milk, cheese or other forms of lactose
• Avoiding fresh or dried fruit treats
• Avoiding canned foods containing the texturing ingredient carrageenan
• Increasing activity: A sedentary lifestyle can increase the amount of gases produced as well as how long they “hang out” in the digestive tract. Activity increases gastrointestinal motility, which in turn expels gas and increases regularity of bowel movements.

Are there some medical conditions that can increase flatulence?

Changing the diet and ruling out actual intestinal disease are of primary importance in addressing flatulence. Some disease processes that can cause an increase in flatulence include:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Antibiotic-responsive intestinal disorders
• Cancer
• Parasites, viral or bacterial inflammation of the intestines
• Food allergy or intolerance
• Inadequate production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas

Medications and herbal and botanical supplements

Sometimes medication can help. Although there are many products available, most are unfortunately not as helpful as they are touted to be, or not labeled for animal use. There are more than 30 herbal and botanical preparations available to reduce gas in the stomach and intestines; however, the dosage, safety and efficacy are unknown.

If further therapy is needed, the following products have some basis and support that they may be of help for flatulence:

• Yucca shidigera supplementation:
 Currently, this extract is labeled as a flavoring agent for pet food but it is also available as an oral supplement. Several studies have shown that it helps decrease the odor in flatulence.
• Zinc acetate supplementation:
 Zinc binds to sulfhydryl compounds in flatulence ultimately serving to deodorize the gas.
• Non-absorbable antibiotics: Such antibiotics kill the gas-forming bacteria of the colon and may be helpful as long as their use is not ongoing.

Some popular, but more questionable, products with regards to treating excessive flatulence include:

• Probiotics: There are many ineffective probiotics being marketed and so it is important to use one that has been shown to contain live cultures that withstand stomach digestion. It is unknown if this type of product will really help in flatulence, as it is asking a great deal for these bacteria to survive the acid environment of the stomach, travel through the many feet of small intestines, and finally reach the colon in the attempt to displace the gas-forming resident bacteria. Still, these are unlikely to be harmful, and can be beneficial in other ways outside of the realm of flatulence, such as helping to stabilize the intestinal microenvironment.

• Activated charcoal tablets: These tablets are not likely to be effective because the charcoal-binding sites are filled on the journey from mouth to colon, so by the time the tablet gets to the gas-forming large bowel bacteria, it has essentially already been used up!

• Simethicone: This product may control the volume of gas produced, but not the odor. It is an antifoaming agent that reduces gas bubbles. This may be helpful at reducing our doggy’s gas discomfort, but not our nose discomfort.

• Pancreatic enzyme supplementation: It is unlikely that these extra digestive enzymes would help a pet in the absence of actual exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Furthermore, this treatment is relatively expensive for something that may only be slightly helpful.

While flatulence is a normal part of everyday life, if the problem persists or seems severe, it is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian. Even our pets sometimes need a smog check!

Trying to Keep Pets Safe from Tainted Foods

Trying to Keep Pets Safe from Tainted Foods:

"Recently several batches of dog food have been recalled because they were found to have levels of aflatoxins above acceptable limits. Aflatoxins develop when the mold Aspergilus forms on corn, a common ingredient in pet foods."

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Start Easy and Work Your Way Up | Karen Pryor Clickertraining

Start Easy and Work Your Way Up | Karen Pryor Clickertraining:

"Any time you teach your pet a new behavior, you should start in the most boring and controlled environment possible. Just as you wouldn't expect a beginning gymnast to learn how to do cartwheels by going right into an aerial cartwheel on a balance beam, you shouldn't expect your dog to deal with multiple distractions while learning a new skill.

Think of behaviors as being split up into skill levels that range from very easy to extremely difficult, and always start training at the easiest level possible. When you can, begin training new behaviors indoors, ideally in a small room, until the skill is fluent enough to be practiced in larger rooms. Gradually move to larger areas indoors, and then into the most boring outdoor areas possible, before practicing on walks or in other exciting environments. The more gradually you build up, the faster the training will go in the long run, since you won't have to go back and "retrain" earlier stages."

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Dogs and Children - Preventing Playtime Confusion | mysmartpuppy.com

Dogs and Children - Preventing Playtime Confusion | mysmartpuppy.com:

"We adults often play with a dog by kneeling down, making excited noises like "Hey, pup! What do I have?" while dragging a toy in front of him. The dog pounces on the toy. "Whee!" and the game begins. Enter a toddler. She kneels on the floor making exciting noises as she moves the toy back and forth in front of her. The dog thinks "Playtime!" and pounces on her hand. Toddler screams. Dog, thinking the game has begun, gets more excited. Parents intervene: "Bad dog!"

The dog is utterly confused."

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Learn From A Dog: 15 Life Lessons From Your Pet

Learn From A Dog: 15 Life Lessons From Your Pet:

"We've all heard that people tend to look like their dogs (hey, there's even research to back that one up), but act like them? Hey, maybe it's time to consider it.

Dogs tend to be happy, active and well rested -- things we could all stand to learn. Read on for those and other tail-wag-worthy life lessons from your pooch."

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Decidedly Dangerous Dog Gifts: The Retractable Leash | mysmartpuppy.com

Decidedly Dangerous Dog Gifts: The Retractable Leash | mysmartpuppy.com:

"Seemingly ever popular, these tools are by far the most dangerous dog tool I know. After more than 25 years as a dog-care professional, I know multiple dogs who died and multiple people who ended up in the ER while using these sort of leash. But don't take my word, take the word of the company that makes one of the most popular retractable leashes: Flexilead."

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Three “M”s for Canine Weight Management | mysmartpuppy.com

Three “M”s for Canine Weight Management | mysmartpuppy.com:

"More than 50% of America’s dogs are overweight, a problem that eats away at both the length and the quality of their life. No one wants that for their companion but many people are stymied by both exactly how their pet got this way and what to do about it.

Here are three simple tips for how to help Spot slim down:"

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