Animal Health Trust Develops Break-through DNA Test For Late Onset Ataxia

Scientists from the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust have created a new DNA test which can accurately predict the risk of developing late onset ataxia (LOA) in 97 to 100 per cent of PRTs. LOA is a progressive disease that causes dogs to become increasingly uncoordinated with difficulty balancing, making moving around and everyday tasks such as going up and down stairs difficult. The onset age for the disease is usually between six months and one year but because there is currently no cure for the disease, sufferers are usually euthanized around two years after onset as their quality of life diminishes. Animal Health Trust would like to thank all the individuals and breed clubs who, within a matter of weeks, raised £5000 to enable us to research this condition, and consequently develop a DNA test. We would also like to thank all the Parson Russell Terriers and their owners who have contributed DNA and information to help us with our research into LOA. The exclusive test for LOA in the PRT is now available from the Animal Health Trust DNA webshop.

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