Karen Cashman and a representative from the University of Minnesota were interviewed by WCCO TV about EIC. This news segment aired on September 23, 2008
If you breed to our stud dogs, or purchase a puppy from one of our males, you will not have or produce an EIC, PRA or CNM affected puppy. Our males are all DNA tested clear (N/N) of these three genetic disorders.
The University of Minnesota has developed a DNA test for EIC. This test has been available to the public since July of 2008. From the start of official testing in July to mid March 2009 they have tested 4410 Labradors for the EIC gene. So far they have 1580 carriers and 449 affected dogs. That means as of March there is 54% clear, 36% are carriers and 10% affected.
16. Should I only use N/N (clear of gene) dogs for breeding to prevent the possibility of producing E/E (affected) pups?
Although using only N/N dogs would more rapidly remove the prospect of EIC from future generations, it is very likely not the best approach to dealing with this problem, and we do not recommend this approach. Many excellent dogs in all other respects are E/N (carrier) or even E/E, and to breed entirely away from their lines would potentially lose many of their finest attributes that people have come to accept, demand, and cherish.
Our data to date indicate that only E/E dogs are documented to have exhibited the classic signs of EIC. There is no chance of producing an E/E puppy if it is known that at least one of the parents is N/N. A breeding program that utilizes E/N or even E/E dogs can be logically implemented by mating to N/N dogs and retaining E/N or N/N puppies for future breeding that also retain most or all of the other highly desired characteristics. In general, we recommend matings that produce fewer carrier (E/N) dogs in each successive generation.
It is important for breeders, as well as people looking to purchase a Labrador, to keep in mind that it does not make sense to completely stop breeding all dogs that are carriers of the EIC gene. Although we would be eliminating EIC rather quickly if we did, we would be risking potentially more genetic problems and may risk losing desired characteristics of the breed. However, we can manage the situation through selective breeding and DNA testing in the following way:
Before breeding or purchasing a Labrador, make sure that either the mother or the father, has been tested clear of the EIC gene. By doing this, the puppies will not suffer from the disorder. However, unless both parents are tested clear, there may be carriers in the litter.
If you are a breeder, you should test the puppies and pick one for breeding that does not carry the gene. This will help eliminate the gene from future breeding stock. However, if you plan to spay or neuter your dog, it does not matter if the puppy is a carrier because the pup will not be affected by the disorder.
By following the above steps, we could potentially eliminate EIC. The same logic can also be applied to help eliminate CNM and PRA.
