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all involved. Identifying carriers with this new
test will allow breeders to develop breeding
strategies that in time will start to reduce
the incidence of carriers in the breeding
population. Eventually the defective gene can
be bred out completely using the information
from the test. Because of the widespread
incidence of carriers in the breed populations,
it will be important not to rule out carriers from
breeding or the loss of genetics will be too
great and this could lead to further problems.
The reason for the appearance of this gene
in the fell and dales breeds is thought to be
due to an initial mutation. The low number of
breeding animals allowed the defective gene
to be established in the population.
It is for this reason that it is important to retain
as many breeding animals as possible and
use breeding strategies such as breeding a
non-affected with a carrier to prevent the risk
of breeding affected foals whilst retaining the
vital genetic spread.
AFFECTED FOALS appear normal at birth although some breeders
develop suspicions at an early age. They usually become obviously
sick around TEN DAYS TO THREE WEEKS OF AGE and it is their
failure to respond to treatment that arouses concern over their future.
EQUINE REVIEW
AUTUMN 2010
4
Pale gums, as seen in the
advanced stages of the disease.