TESTING

American Morkshire Health

The following is a list of health disorders that can be commonly associated with the American Morkshire Terrier

Tracheal Collapse
Obesity
Cataracts
Glaucoma
White Shaker Syndrome
Reverse Sneezing
Luxation Patella
Heart Murmur
Tear Stains
Conclusion

Tracheal Collapse is a progressive disease of a dog’s trachea which typically occurs in smaller dogs and causes respiratory issues, frequent coughing and difficulty eating.

Obesity can be a significant health problem in the American Morkshire Terrier that may cause or worsen joint problems, back pain, metabolic and digestive disorders and heart disease. Glycogen storage disease type la (GSD la) is a metabolic disorder encountered in the Maltese.

Cataracts in dogs occur when the eye lens is gradually covered by an opaque cloudiness. American Morkshire Terrier's are prone to severe cataracts, which can appear anywhere from birth to six years old. The condition will affect the dog’s vision and can lead to complete canine blindness. However, sometimes the condition can be corrected and vision can be restored with surgery. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) - this disorder is caused by the degeneration of photoreceptor cells of the retina.

Glaucoma affects over 40% of dogs and is a condition of the eyes. There is a buildup of pressure in the eye like humans that prevents fluids from draining which can cause damage to the optic nerves of the eyes. Primary lens luxation (PLL) - this disorder is caused by degeneration of the zonular fibers that are required for attachment of the lens.

White dog shaker syndrome is a health condition used to be found almost entirely with just solid white dogs like the Maltese; however, it is now being seen with other breeds. This is thought to be related to an autoimmune reaction, and will cause full body tremors; though, it is believed that a dog does not feel any discomfort or pain. More studies need to be done; however, it is agreed that there are environmental conditions that can trigger this to happen. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a neurologic disorder found in many dog breeds but most commonly in German Shepherds and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

Reverse sneezing is a condition that affects all types of dogs, but more commonly smaller dogs such as miniatures, terriers, and brachycephalic breeds. It is a "paroxysmal" respiratory response, meaning that it comes in spasm-like episodes. It is suspected to be caused by irritation or inflammation of the nasal, pharyngeal, or sinus passages. It may be a way for the dog to attempt to remove foreign particles such as dust, powder or other irritants from its upper airways. It is also seen after periods of over-excitement. It can be alarming to an owner, but is not known to be harmful to dogs without any underlying conditions (such as heart disease), and most dogs are completely normal before and after a reverse sneezing episode. In dogs that exhibit reverse sneezing, it is not uncommon for them to have repeat episodes of reverse sneezing throughout their lives.

Luxation Patella is a condition that affects a dog's kneecaps where they become dislocated or slightly out of position. Although it is a hereditary condition that Yorkshire Terriers (and other toy breeds) often suffer from, trauma and injury can also cause Luxation Patella. If the condition is very severe, a vet would recommend surgery to correct the problem.

Heart Murmurs are graded on a scale from 1 to 6. Typically no treatment is required for a grade 1 to 3 murmur. However, this is often a progressive disease. If the murmur worsens to a grade 4, 5, or 6, there can be issues such as troubled breathing, coughing, and exercise intolerance. Treatment may involve a low-sodium diet and certain medications to lower blood pressure. For some dogs, this can be managed for years; for others it will progress to heart failure. Heart Murmurs do not always lead to congestive heart failure, but they can.

Tear Stains called Porphyrin (a pigment) is excreted in tears, saliva and urine. Some of the iron that is released from the breakdown of red blood cells goes into porphyrin. The Porphyrin that is contained in your dog's tears causes the actual stain Certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to tear stains or it can simply be a case of a particular dog being predisposed towards getting tear stains. It can come from the environment, an infection, eye-lashes rubbing the cornea and there is a genetic basis for dogs that get tear stains and is seen in certain types of dogs more than others like the Poodle, Maltese and Shih Tzu. Also, dogs that are light colored will have more obvious tear-staining than darker dogs. Hyperuricosuria (HU) is a disorder that causes dogs to produce urine with very high levels of uric acid. This can lead to bladder stones, and less frequently kidney stones.

Conclusion - not all of the American Morkshire Terrier breed may develop any of the health issues listed above during the course of their lives. Testing your dog for all your breed's recommenced tests can be time consuming, expensive and sometimes confusing. The American Morkshire Terrier Club Testing Services offer a simple and cost-effective way to test your dog for that particular breed's test from just one swab. Explore our DNA Kits on this page to save on testing.

AMTC DNA & Disease TESTING

AMTC Health Testing and OFA screening requirements

The AMTC works with the following labs and organizations for genetic health disorders affecting canine companions:

GenSol Diagnostics ~ for disease clearance results.
Animal Genetics ~ for DNA profiling and disease clearance results.
ACCU-Viaguard ~ for DNA breed identification results.
Wisdom Health ~ Optimal Selection for DNA breed identification and disease clearance results.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) ~ for certifying canine body evaluation results. The American Morkshire Terrier Club, Inc. (AMTC) has the American Morkshire Terrier listed as a breed in the OFA database.
AMTC DNA Tests - test kits for DNA profiling and Disease tests ordering.

**When ordering tests and submission - you MUST use the breed's official name, American Morkshire Terrier**

OFA CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

As a Gold Breeder, there are Health & OFA Certification requirements that must be completed for ALL AMTC Registered Breeding Dogs. OFA offers health clinics available to the public and you can visit OFA's list at: www.caninehealthclinics.org/ for a clinic in your area.

Genetic & OFA REQUIREments

The following are Genetic Health & OFA Certification's that are a required

PATELLA
CARDIAC
EYES
GENETIC TESTING
DNA VERIFICATION

Patellar Luxation Evaluation is classified by a veterinarian that examines your dog's patella or kneecap, part of the stifle joint (knee). In patellar luxation, the kneecap luxates (pops out) of place, either in a medial or lateral position. Patellar luxation fall into several categories:

Medial
Lateral
Luxation resulting from trauma

Numbers 1 & 2 are either known to be heritable or strongly suspected.
For the American Morkshire Terrier Club - OFA Evaluation is required at 1 Years (or Older) of Age - An OFA number will be issued to all dogs found to be normal at 12 months of age and older and a copy is to be submitted for ALL AMTC Gold Breeders.

Basic Cardiac Evaluation is classified by a veterinarian listening by (auscultation) with a stethoscope, and any cardiac murmurs or abnormal sounds should be referred to a veterinary cardiologist to perform a echocardiographic (echocardiogram) examination. Echocardiograms are to be performed by a veterinary cardiologist defined as, licensed veterinarian(s) with diplomate status in either the American College of Veterinary Medicine (ACVIM) or European College of Veterinary Medicine (ECVIM) cardiology. Cardiac evaluation fall into several categories:

Basic Cardiac Evaluation
Cardiac Murmur or Abnormal Sound
Echocardiographic Examination

Number 2 is either known to be heritable or strongly suspected.
For the American Morkshire Terrier Club - OFA Evaluation is required at 1 Years (or Older) of Age - An OFA number will be issued to all dogs found to be normal at 12 months of age and older and a copy is to be submitted for ALL AMTC Gold Breeders.

Eye Evaluation is a screening exam performed by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. The diagnosis obtained during an OFA exam refer only to the observable phenotype (clinical appearance) of an animal. This is why your dog be genetically tested to rule out any abnormal phenotype (genetic abnormalities). There are currently ten disorders for which there is an unequivocal recommendation against breeding in ALL breeds:

Keratoconjunctivitis
Cataract
Progressive Lens Luxation (PLL)
Glaucoma
Persistant Hyperplasic Primary Vitreous (PHPV)
Retinal Detachment
Retinal Dysplasia
Optic Nerve Coloboma
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRCD)

Number 1-10 are either known to be heritable or strongly suspected.
For the American Morkshire Terrier Club - OFA Evaluation is required at 1 Years (or Older) of Age and recommended to repeat again at 3 Years (or Older) of Age - An OFA number will be issued to all dogs found to be normal at 12 months of age and older and must be normal upon repeat of examination a copy is to be submitted for ALL AMTC Gold Breeders.

Genetic Testing for dogs can help identify diseases and help owners to determine their dog's status for a genetic mutation in order to guide future breeding decisions. The three body systems most commonly affected across all breed dog populations are - Vision, Nervous, and Circulatory. The following breed susceptible genetic disease mutations seen in the American Morkshire Terrier, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier and Biewer include:

Hyperuricosuria (HU)
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Progressive Retinal Rod Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd)
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

Numbers 1-3 are either known to be heritable or strongly suspected. Number 4 is not prevalent in the American Morkshire Terrier.
For the American Morkshire Terrier Club - Hyperuricosuria (HU), Primary Lens Luxation (PLL), and Progressive Retinal Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd) - A Clear/Normal Result is issued to all dogs found to be normal and a copy is to be submitted for ALL AMTC Gold Breeders.

DNA Profiling Verification also known as "DNA fingerprinting" is a test that confirms the parentage of a litter. This test does not determine breed type. It identifies specific gene markers that are inherited by both parents:

ALL AMTC BREEDERS are required to submit a DNA Profile Verification on their breeding dogs within three years of joining AMTC.

For the American Morkshire Terrier Club - DNA Profiling Verification allows breeders, dog owners, and the AMTC to ensure that the AMTC Registry is accurate.

DNA Breed Verification also known as "DNA Breed Analysis" is a test that finds what dog breeds are found within a dog's unique DNA. This test does determine breed type. It identifies specific gene markers that genetically make up your dog's breed.

ALL American Morkshire Terrier's are recommended and will be required to have a DNA Breed Verification completed by January 30, 2027.
ALL Yorkshire Terrier's, Maltese, and Biewer's will be required to have a DNA Breed Verification completed after January 30, 2027 upon joining the American Morkshire Terrier Club that are not dual registered with a Registry the AMTC recognizes.

For the American Morkshire Terrier Club - DNA Breed Verification allows breeders, dog owners and the AMTC to ensure that the AMTC registers pure breed dogs.

If you have any questions regarding the above requirements you can email us at: info@amtcusa.com

AMTC APPROVED LABS FOR HEALTH CLEARANCE TESTING

*NOTE* If your dog has already been tested prior to July 15, 2019* - you can send those results to us by mail to: AMTC Registrar P.O. BOX 473, Burnsville, NC 28714. If not, you can obtain a DNA-profile Kit or DNA-verification test highlighted above under "order tests and submission."

Animal Genetic Testing and Research Lab
Department of Veterinary Science
108 Gluck Equine Research Center,
University of Kentucky
Lexington KY 40546-0099
Ph: 859-218-1193 Fax: 859-257-5169

Auburn University
Mary Boudreaux, DVM, PhD
Dept. of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
166 Greene Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849
Ph: (334) 844-2692 Email: boudrmk@auburn.edu

Cornell University
Goldstein Molecular and Genetics Laboratory
Richard E. Goldstein, DVM, Dip ACVIM, Dip ECVIM-CA
Ph: 607-253-4480 Fax: 607-253-3534
E-mail: phpt@cornell.edu

Embark
186 Lincoln St., 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
E-mail: howdy@embarkvet.com

HealthGene
2175 Keele St.
Toronto, ON M6M 3Z4 Canada
Toll Free: 1-877-371-1551
Email: info@healthgene.co

Jefferson Medical College
Dept. of Neurology -Dr. David Wenger
1020 Locust St, 394
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Email: david.wenger@mail.tju.edu

Laboratory of Veterinary Genetics (LABGENVET)
University of Montreal
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
David W. Silversides DVM, PhD.
3200 Sicotte, CP5000 St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada J2S 7C6
Tel. 450-773-8521 x8464
David.w.silversides@umontreal.ca

Michigan State University
Laboratory of Comparative Medical Genetics
2209 Biomedical Physical Sciences
East Lansing, MI 48824

Laboratory of Canine Genetics and Molecular Medicine
567 Wilson Rd, BPS Bldg, MSU
East Lansing, MI 48824
Ph: (517) 884-5350

North Carolina State University
Veterinary Genetics Lab
1060 William Moore Drive RB 228
Raleigh, NC 27607
Ph: 919-513-3314 Email: vcgl@lists.ncsu.edu

NYU Medical Center – Neurogenetics Laboratory
Attn: Dr. Bai Jin Zeng NYU Medical Center
400 East 34th St. (Room RR210)
New York, NY 10016 Ph: 212-263-2943

OptiGen, LLC
Cornell Business & Technology Park
767 Warren Road, Suite 300
Ithaca, NY 14850
Ph: 607-257-0301 Fax: 607-257-0353
Email: genetest@optigen.com

Orivet Genetic Pet Care
20 Church Street
Mezzanine Level
Hartford, CT 06103
Ph: 860-952-3407
Email: USA@Orivet.com

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
2300 E Nifong Boulevard
Columbia, Missouri, 65201-3806
Ph: (573) 442-0418 Fax: (573) 875-5073
Email: ofa@offa.org

Paw Prints Genetics
220 E Rowan, Suite 220
Spokane, WA 99207
Ph: 855-202-4889 Email: askus@pawprintgenetics.com

PennGEN Laboratories
3850 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010
Ph: (215) 898-3375

ProjectDog
636 San Pablo Ave
Albany, CA 94706
Ph: (510) 900-3899 Email: dogdna@projectdog.org

University of California – Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
PO Box 1102
Davis, CA 95617-1102
Ph: (530) 752-2211

University of Minnesota – Canine Genetics Laboratory
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota 295 AS/VM
1988 Fitch Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
Ph: (612) 624-5322 Email: cgl@umn.edu

University of Missouri College of Vet Medicine
320 Connaway Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Ph: (573) 884-3712 E-mail: HansenL@missouri.edu

University of Pennsylvania Section of Medical Genetics
School of Veterinary Medicine
Ryan Veterinary Hospital, Room 4018
3900 Delancey St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Ph: (215) 898-8076 Email: casalml@vet.upenn.edu

Veterinary Diagnostics Center (DDC)
225 Corporate Court
Fairfield, OH 45014
Toll-Free: (800) 625-0874 Email: contact@vetdnacenter.com

VetGen
3728 Plaza Drive, Suite One
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Ph: 800-483-8436

VetNostic
www.vetnostic.com
Ph: (877) 255-9208

Washington State University–Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab (WSU-VCPL)
PO Box 609
Pullman, WA 99163-0609
Ph: 509-335-3745 Fax: 509-335-6309
Email: VCPL@vetmed.wsu.edu

Wisdom Health
PO Box 87586
Vancouver, WA 98687
Toll Free: 1-888-K9 PET TEST (597-3883) Email: info@wisdomhealth.com