Lifespan and Causes of Death in the Irish Wolfhound - Vetsuisse ...
Lifespan and Causes of Death in the Irish Wolfhound - Vetsuisse ...
Lifespan and Causes of Death in the Irish Wolfhound - Vetsuisse ...
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Due to <strong>the</strong> frequent bottlenecks dur<strong>in</strong>g population history, it was impossible to track<br />
any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se diseases fur<strong>the</strong>r back than <strong>the</strong> 1950's. Therefore, it cannot be excluded<br />
that PSS orig<strong>in</strong>ated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancestors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> probable orig<strong>in</strong>ators found. However, this<br />
consideration is largely irrelevant to present-day breed<strong>in</strong>g practices, given that <strong>the</strong>se<br />
ancestors are to be found <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> pedigrees <strong>of</strong> all <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>Wolfhound</strong>s alive today.<br />
1.3.3 Ethical Considerations<br />
The breed<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>Wolfhound</strong>s is studied under <strong>the</strong> premise that ethical questions<br />
are raised whenever can<strong>in</strong>e <strong>and</strong> human <strong>in</strong>terests oppose each o<strong>the</strong>r. The ethical<br />
implications <strong>of</strong> both a decreased lifespan <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> acceptance <strong>of</strong> hereditary diseases<br />
<strong>in</strong> breed<strong>in</strong>g practices are discussed, lead<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> conclusion that a decrease <strong>in</strong><br />
lifespan is an ethical problem <strong>in</strong>dependent from <strong>the</strong> occurrence <strong>of</strong> hereditary<br />
diseases. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, although it is unrealistic to assume that a complete<br />
elim<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> hereditary disease from <strong>the</strong> breed will be possible, <strong>the</strong>re are measures<br />
that can be expected to result <strong>in</strong> a significant decrease. The breeders' ethical<br />
obligation to put <strong>the</strong> dogs' <strong>in</strong>terests above <strong>the</strong>ir own <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se cases is also stressed.<br />
A particular <strong>and</strong> unusual ethical problem is also discussed based on <strong>the</strong> case study<br />
<strong>of</strong> portosystemic shunt.<br />
1.3.4 Future Prospects <strong>in</strong> Breed<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Selection aga<strong>in</strong>st hereditary diseases should be based on <strong>the</strong>ir potential impact on<br />
<strong>the</strong> animals' well-be<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong>ir frequency throughout <strong>the</strong> population <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> chance <strong>of</strong><br />
success <strong>of</strong> appropriate breed<strong>in</strong>g measures. To reach this goal, an open <strong>Irish</strong><br />
<strong>Wolfhound</strong> health database would be an extremely useful tool on which to base<br />
selection decisions. Given that <strong>the</strong>re are prevalence differences <strong>in</strong> hereditary<br />
diseases amongst different <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>Wolfhound</strong> populations, it is impossible to suggest a<br />
universally valid breed<strong>in</strong>g strategy for <strong>the</strong> overall population that <strong>in</strong>corporates all<br />
possible hereditary diseases. However, Dilatative Cardiomyopathy <strong>and</strong> portosystemic<br />
shunt are suggested as prime c<strong>and</strong>idates for selection, consider<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir global<br />
prevalence <strong>and</strong> established mode <strong>of</strong> heredity, as well as <strong>the</strong> availability <strong>of</strong> diagnostic<br />
tests. Based on <strong>the</strong> breed's genetic history, it is stated that <strong>the</strong> potential for severe<br />
health- <strong>and</strong> vigour-based selection was never as good <strong>in</strong> <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>Wolfhound</strong>s as it is<br />
today.<br />
1.3.5 Future Research Prospects<br />
Thanks to <strong>the</strong> ever-<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g communication on <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternet, it is possible to locate<br />
large pedigree databases <strong>of</strong> various dog breeds <strong>and</strong> to obta<strong>in</strong> copies <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m for scientific study. There is a large potential for veter<strong>in</strong>ary genetical research<br />
analogous to this study <strong>in</strong> such databases, which has not been realised to-date. The<br />
present database <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> its type would also be an <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g base to<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestigate <strong>the</strong> heritability <strong>of</strong> lifespan <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> domestic dog, which has not been studied<br />
yet.<br />
In <strong>Irish</strong> <strong>Wolfhound</strong>s <strong>in</strong> particular, <strong>the</strong> oxidative damage model <strong>of</strong> ag<strong>in</strong>g would be<br />
<strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g to study by establish<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> effect <strong>of</strong> antioxidant substances given dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> growth phase on overall life expectancy. As far as <strong>in</strong>breed<strong>in</strong>g is concerned, its<br />
relation to fertility parameters also suggests itself to be studied. F<strong>in</strong>ally, <strong>the</strong> present<br />
data could also be helpful <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> future search for DNA markers associated with<br />
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