The Wind-Morgan Program for Diagnosis of Heritable Joint
Disease in the Labrador Retriever
In Association with
The School of Veterinary Medicine
University of California, Davis
Department of Radiological Sciences
Administered by
The Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals (GDC)
P.O. Box 222, Davis, CA 95617
(916) 756-6773
The Wind-Morgan Program, initiated in August of 1990, provides a mechanism
for othropedic improvement of the Labrador Retriever. The Labrador Retriever
is a breed renowned for its versatility, working enthusiastically in the
field, excelling at obedience trials, providing assistance to the disabled
and giving companionship to many. A cheery disposition and physical soundness
are essential for the breed to perform the duties for which it has been
cultivated. Labrador Retriever fanciers have been aware of the problem
of hip dysplasia in the breed for many years. During the past 15 years
it has become apparent that severe problems also exist with heritable disease
of the shoulder (OCD), elbow (dysplasia), and hock (OCD) joints, often
resulting in crippling lameness. Great frustration results from the discovery
that such a disorder exists in puppies produced from dogs and bitches selected
as breeding stock after seemingly careful evaluation of their conformation
and personalities. The Wind-Morgan program offers a route by which fanciers
of the breed can make a more educated scrutiny of potential breeding stock,
while at the same time collecting data for the genetic analysis of these
heritable disorders.
The presence of these diseases is not always obvious because the lameness
may be sublte, or, actually present in both limbs. One reason these disorders
have become so common in the Labrador is that affected individuals without
obvious lameness have been used in breeding programs. Just as has been
learned from the evaluation of the pelvis for hip dysplasia, the best current
method to diagnose the presence of elbow dysplasia, shoulder OCD and hock
OCD is radiography (x-rays). The abscence of these diseases in the elbows,
shoulders, and hocks can usually be accurately determined at 12 months
of age. An evaluation of the hip joint can be made at the same time. Preliminary
evaluations of the elbows, shoulders, hocks and hips can be made as early
as 6 months of age, if desired. Dogs showing signs of lameness can be evaluated
at any age. The inclusion of older dogs in this study is highly encouraged.
Age related changes in joints are distinctly different from those changes
caused by developmental disorders such as dysplasias and OCD. To date,
several veteran Labrador Retrievers have successfully passed the Wind-Morgan
evaluation.
Radiographic views will be made as follows: a single lateral view of
each shoulder, two lateral views of each elbow, one tightly flexed and
one at 120 degrees, two conventional ventrodorsal view of the hips, and
a plantodorsal (PD) and lateral view of each hock. These radiographs can
be taken without anesthesia, however, in the exuberant Labrador, mild tranquilization
facilitates positioning. Radographs can be made by any veterinary practitioner or
technician, and should be submitted to the Wind-Morgan program for evaluation with a
completed application form and a copy of the dog's three generation pedigree.
A fee of $35.00 is charged, covering a one time $10.00 registration
fee for an individual dog, and $25.00 fee for the evaluation of all four
joint sites. If an individual is found to be normal in all four joints
at or beyond the age of 12 months, a Wind-Morgan number will be issued.
If the individual is found to be affected in any joint by heritable disease,
the $35.00 fee is refunded, encouraging the inclusion of affected individuals
in the study. Reevaluation of an individual examined previously before
the age of 12 months does not require payment of the $10.00 registration
fee. If a diagnosis of normalcy cannot be made due to inadequate x-ray
positioning or exposure, or because of the presence of suspicious but not
diagnostic changes, repeat x-rays will be requested within a specified
time frame. No additional charge will be made for evaluation of these subsequent
films.
Copies of the evaluations will be made to both the dog's owner and to
the veterinarian responsible for taking the films. Additionally, results
of the study will be entered into the computer base at the Institute for
Genetic Disease Control (GDC), for inclusion in their open registry for
genetic and statistical analysis. The x-rays will be archived at the GDC
in Davis, California. Interested individuals can obtain more information
from GDC concerning an individual dog or its relatives, to determine more
about the genotype that a prospective dire or dam may pass on to its offspring,
by telephoning GDC at (916) 756-6773.
The Wind-Morgan program will provide assistance to fanciers of Labrador
Retrievers through educational seminars for breeders and their veterinarians,
as well as individual counseling concerning the treatment of these disorders
in affected individuals. As data accumulates, genetic counseling will become
available through GDC. To facilitate the inclusion of numerous dogs in
the study, the University of California sponsors weekend x-ray clinics
to provide radiography at a minimal expense. Interested veterinarians or
breeders may contact the program concerning organization of x-ray clinics
in other parts of the country.
To obtain further information concening the Wind-Morgan program, contact:
Dr. Autumn Davidson
Small Animal Clinic, VMTH
University of California
Davis, CA 95616
Voice: (916) 756-6773
Fax: (916)756-6773
Films should be mailed to:
Dr. Joe Morgan, Dr. Alida Wind, or Dr. Autumn Davidson
c/o GDC
P.O. Box 222
Davis, CA 95617
The above information was provided solely by the Wind-Morgan
progam, and any questions regarding the Wind-Morgan program specifically
should be directed to Dr. Davidson at the telephone number above.
If you have comments or suggestions regarding this Web page,
email Dr. Ron Mandsager, DVM, at aerrane@okway.okstate.edu
Contributed to Working Retriever Central! by Ron Mandsager, DVM
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