Ectopic ureters are more common in certain breeds of dogs, for example in the Entlebucher and Appenzeller Mountain Dog. Patients with this malformation may show permanent urinary incontinence and are predisposed for renal disorders as hydronephrosis and infections of the lower urinary tract and kidneys. In severely affected dogs, the course of disease may be fatal. As sometimes clinical symptoms can only be seen in an older age, affected dogs may have already been bred.
Various European Veterinary Clinics participate in characterisation and classification of the clinical phenotype of Entlebucher and Appenzeller Mountain Dogs. After identification of the dog, a thorough history is taken and the site of ureteral entry is determined by ultrasonographic or CT imaging. All examinations are conducted under the supervision of the unit for small animal reproduction, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Zurich. To elucidate the mode of inheritance, segregation analysis and variance analysis of collected data are performed. Concurrently, blood samples for future molecular genetic analyses are drawn. For motivation of the owners and for preservation of these two breeds, semen is collected and stored in a canine semen bank.
Specific aims of the project are:
1. To evaluate the incidence of ectopic ureters in the Entlebucher and Appenzeller Mountain Dog
2. To characterize the clinical phenotype
3. To elucidate the mode of inheritance
Knowledge of the mode of inheritance is essential for breeding selection, ultimately resulting in a reduced incidence of this disorder in both populations.
