Home Page Reference Forms Test Form Questionnaire Form
DNA Informed Consent OFA Link
Checklist Veterinary Instructions
 
 

A Little Background...

 
  The thyroid is one of the main regulatory glands in man and beast. It plays a major role in controlling many of the body's complex operations. In other breeds, certain Irish Water Spaniel breed characteristics like the rat-tail have been found to suggest low thyroid. Early developers of our breed innocently selected for those traits long before the role of the thyroid was ever known or understood. Out of concern for Irish Water Spaniels, breeders in the US and abroad are starting to collect data and undertake research to develop a more complete grasp of thyroid efficacy in the IWS.
 
  Internationally respected thyroid researcher, W. Jean Dodds, DVM, was our health lecturer at IWSCA 2006, where she spoke at no charge to the IWSCA. She talked at length about many of the different possible expressions and implications of low thyroid/hypothyroidism in dogs (for those of you who weren't able to attend, please take a few minutes to read her Thyroid Disease And Autoimmune Thyroiditis.
 
  The IWSCA Breeders Committee has been discussing hypothyroidism in our breed for several years. At its IWSCA 2006 meeting, with the Board's sanction, the Committee agreed to work with Dr. Dodds to try to better understand how the thyroid functions specifically in the IWS. The first step is to determine the breed's normal thyroid range, which involves collecting and scrutinizing data exclusively from IWSs. Data will be drawn from analyzing new IWS blood samples as well as from previously done complete thyroid assays (if you've had panels run on your dog[s], you should be able to get copies of those evaluations from your vet). The results of those tests and data will be reviewed alongside answers from completed questionnaires, after which Dr. Dodds will draw preliminary conclusions regarding IWS thyroid function.
 
  Dr. Dodds is collaborating in this work with Dr. Lorna J. Kennedy of the University of Manchester, Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research, searching for possible DNA markers for hypothyroidism.
 
  Another part of this Study involves the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals'/OFA's Thyroid Registry, which OFA maintains along with their Hip, Elbow, Heart and other registries. Based upon the data submitted to them, OFA draws conclusions about the health of a breed. The larger the sampling, the more accurate their impression can be.
 
  The Irish Water Spaniel isn't the only breed that's investigating canine thyroid function. Dr. Dodds is working with Basenji, Bernese Mountain Dog, Irish Red & White Setter, Kerry Blue Terrier, Labradoodle, Labrador Retriever, Leonberger, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Portuguese Water Dog, and Rhodesian Ridgeback groups who are also looking closely at this issue.
 
  Given the different testing options and paperwork required for this Study, the process can seem somewhat baffling. Please take a moment to read through and print out the forms and documents on this website. Schedule time to sit down with your veterinarian to discuss and complete the necessary forms, draw the blood, and to ship them all off to Drs. Dodds and Kennedy for analysis.
 
  Dr. Dodds is not charging us for her time. Her blood bank, Hemopet, will serve as the Study's clearinghouse. They will coordinate and tabulate results. Testing will be done by Antech Diagnostics, a nationwide (US) network of veterinary diagnostic labs with which Dr. Dodds works. Testing fees are set by Antech. OFA submittal charges are set by OFA. The cost of setting up our database has already been donated, although additional donations are welcomed.
 
  For our Study to be accurate, we need to collect as many samples as possible. Our goal is to assemble submittals from about 200 healthy IWSs. We realize that obtaining that many specimens may be challenging in such a small breed, which is why it's so important that as many IWS owners as possible participate in the Study by submitting samples and the necessary paperwork.
 
  We all love our dogs, and want to do what's best for them. By participating in this Study, you'll be doing something for them and for the Irish Water Spaniel breed. This Study is an investment in our dogs and in acquiring more knowledge about the health of the Irish Water Spaniel breed. Please join us in taking this important first step!