The Scientist have had a breakthrough and there is a test for LPN1 available for Leonberger breeders to use.

LPN1 accounts for 1/3 of Polyneuropathy cases in Leonbergers, there is no genetic markers found for the other forms as of yet but we are one step closer to defeating this inherited illness that affects our beloved Leonbergers. LPN1 is  responsible for the form of Polyneuropathy that affects young dogs so to be able to screen and prevent dogs with the young onset LPN being born is great news.

Anybody looking to buy a puppy should make sure test is carried out and clear on at least one parent of the litter. If one parent is clear this means no affected puppies are born even if the other parent is a carrier. There really is no excuse not to test dogs used for breeding!

The recommendation at the moment is not to exclude carriers from breeding but never breed two carriers together as affected puppies can be born from this combination.

Sasha gave a blood sample when samples were collected for developing the test and we have now received Sasha’s results and are happy to say she is LPN1 clear.

This is great news as my previous girl did have late onset symptoms and I have now spotted her half sister being tested and being a carrier, which means my girl could have easily carried the mutated LPN1 gene too (approx 50% of carriers will get late on set symptoms). In her case her bark changed and her movement did too but when the illness manifests in an older dog it is often much milder and dogs can live with the illness where as with young dogs, the development of the illness is much more rapid and leads to early grave.

More information of LPN can be found in the leonberger union page:

http://www.leonbergerunion.com/index2.htm