Exfoliative Cutaneous Lupus Rrythematosus ( ECLE ) / Lupoid Dermatosis

Their is another new health test available for Hungarian Vizsla. It is for Exfoliative cutaneous lupus Rythematosus ECLE?Lupoid Dermatosis.

We have not come across this before in our own dogs, or have had any puppy owner come forward telling us they have had this, but we know someone who has recently brought a puppy from us lost their older Vizsla from another breeder to the above.  I read about it earlier and was about to do the tests when suddenly the assured breeder scheme pushed on us new tests which had to be completed to get certificates by 2022. So it was a few thousand to get the dogs done.  Now I can start to plan on getting this one done.  The first two dogs which will be done is Sassy, and Tango.  Then I shall do Indie. 

It will take me some time to get my head around this as its a new one for us to learn about.  Laboklin and Canine Genetics now have the DNA test available.  I shall also endeavour to learn from science about this problem, not listening to just someones opinion. 

I have ordered 3 packs to take swabs and send off to Laboklin, and it will be a gradual process of doing all of the dogs we own.   We have only recently finished the elbow grading and now we have an annual bva eye test.   We do endeavour to do all of the health tests we possibly can do in the hope we improve breeding. However nothing is certain because most breeders in the UK will not do any health tests at all, and only the minority do them.  This makes our puppies now more money because of the huge amount of money spent on having dogs health tested.  But it should benefit not only you but me also. 

So what is ECLE?
It is also known as Lupoid Dermatosis is inherited monogenic, controlled by one gene disease, that has been observed in German short haired pointers as well as Hungarian Vizsla.  Some health issues you find on two genes that come together, and others polygenic its several genes that come together. 

Now we have a dna marker we can go ahead and test.  Symptoms start in the first year of life with skin lesions, lameness, scaling, erythema, erosions, ulcers, scarring, disfigured and leads to decreased quality of life.  Dogs have a shortened life span.    

Now do not panic because your dog gets a spot or a hive from plants, thats not ECLE.  Allergies are not ECLE.  It is pretty horrible from what I've already read up on.   lets hope other breeders will follow and do some testing, because it makes it hard for us to find stud dogs which have had all the tests, as many just have one test, or two if lucky.   But all we can do is our own dogs and worry about them at the moment.  Fingers crossed we will have clear dogs as we have so far to date not produced it. 

Take care now
​Rachel 
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