Hereditary
Defects Advice - Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (T.N.S.)
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) is a
distressing and debilitating disease of Border Collies.
Affected puppies show symptoms of extreme
reactions to infection or vaccination. Most
puppies show symptoms by the age of 8
weeks, and very few Affected
dogs have lived past the age of 2. Neutrophils
are cells which circulate in the
blood and formulate the
body’s defence against infection, they also play a role in future
immunity. Normally, neutrophils are
manufactured within the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream. In TNS affected dogs, the neutrophils are
produced normally, however they are not released normally into the
blood stream
– hence being termed ‘Trapped’.
TNS is more often than not a lethal
disease, which is extremely distressing for Affected dogs and the
people that
own them. It should be avoided if at all
possible, and there is a simple genetic test available to test for this
recessive condition. The symptoms are
extremely variable, which is probably why it has taken so long for this
disease
and its genetic nature to be recognised. Many
litters were probably attributed to
having ‘fading puppy’ syndrome
which is itself a complex and variable condition.
TNS is passed on by a recessive gene –
which means both parents must be Affected or Carriers to produce
Affected
progeny. It is unlikely anyone will breed
from an Affected dog as the disease is so debilitating, however,
Carriers show
absolutely no sign of the disease and the only way to be sure your
litter will
be risk free is by genetic testing.
Currently, Dr Alan Wilton of the
University of New South Wales or UNSW (http://web.science.unsw.edu.au/~awilton/) is the
only organisation that is licensed to carry out TNS DNA testing. They will test samples sent in by cheek swab
or blood drops on FTA card (preferred) using the kits they provide, and
currently
the cost is AUS$88.00.
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