Heredity & culture
Inherited diseases fall into two categories — primary, for example glaucoma, and secondary, such as exaggerated body types. At a press briefing held at BSAVA Congress, The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) called on vets to take a proactive role in tackling hereditary diseases. Solutions include breeding for more moderate shapes and breeding for eradication of specific genetic defects over time — includes breeding from pairs where one may be a carrier to ensure the largest possible gene pool. In addition, Dr Cathryn Mellersh, Head of Canine Genetics at the Animal Health Trust and a member of the WSAVA Hereditary Disease Committee, urged veterinary professionals not to shy away from telling owners if they have made a bad choice of pet (regarding inherited diseases and associated welfare problems), to try to deter them from making the same mistake again.