Page 54 - Chow LIfe - Summer 2021

Health Committee Report: Lew Klein

The CCCI funded AKC CHF grant at Dr. Court’s process of retesting this enzyme function to make
Lab in Washington State University (WSU), sure they get the same results.
which is studying what causes potentially lethal
reactions from anesthetic and sedative drugs in WSU has also developed assays for measuring the
Chows has made more progress. Another five metabolization of several of the potential prob-
participants have donated DNA samples, bring- lematic drugs including ketamine, tramadol, tra-
ing the total to 61 Chows. However, we still need zodone, butorphanol and midazolam. So far the
significantly more Chows to fulfill the required data suggests that “ketamine and tramadol are
statistical sample of 300 and Dr. Court or I can likely to be problematic drugs”, while “trazodone,
mail you a DNA collection kit and instructions if butorphanol and midazolam are not”. However
you would kindly volunteer. Again, the participa- they still need to repeat some of these studies and
tion criterion was changed to accept “all” AKC also plan to study dexmedetomidine, buprenor-
registered Chows, whether they have a history of phine and hydromorphone.
being sedated/anesthetized or not. Still only one Lastly, Dr. Court will be attending the CCCI 2021
sibling from the same Sire/Dam pair is eligible. National Specialty in Niagara Falls, New York
What is specifically needed for the study has been to answer any questions about the study at the
published in the Health Committee Report in Health Committee table on October 6th and 7th.
several prior Chow Life issues. Additionally, Dr. Court will be giving a one hour
seminar about the study on October 6th.
The WSU lab has genotyped all 61 Chows for the
CYP2B11 gene mutation, that causes a marked I’ve been breeding and exhibiting Chows for 45
reduction in the functioning of the main liver years now, so I know many breeders who had or
enzyme that metabolizes drugs. They determined didn’t know they had anesthesia/sedative issues
that 2 were “affected”, 17 were “carriers” and 31 in their lines until sometimes it was too late. This
were “clear”. So the mutation is pretty common issue has plagued and still plagues the breed for
in the Chows tested so far but they were mainly so long, that I expected and hoped more Chow
from breeders who reported a problem with these breeders and owners would want to participate in
types of drugs. So a broader genetic sampling this study.
of Chows is needed. WSU also genotyped 1,534
other dogs, including 75 non-Chow breeds and Hope to see you at the CCCI 2021 National
about 100 mixed-breed dogs. Out all of these Specialty in New York and the 2022 Specialty in
non-Chow dogs, all were “clear” except 1 “mixed- Pennsylvania, where DNA collection kits will be
breed” dog was a “carrier”. So this CYP2B11 gene distributed and/or collected.
mutation appears to be quite unique to Chows.
Thanks
WSU has also regenerated the mutant enzyme Lew Klein, CCCI Health Committee
in 3 different batches and started to repeat the lewis.Klein555@gmail.com
preliminary experiment that caused the marked
reduction in liver enzyme function by the CY-
P2B11 gene mutation. They are currently in the Dr. Court, WSU Pharmacogenomics Laboratory
michael.court@wsu.edu

CORRECTION

pag
o
n
pg
es 9 & 11
In the article, "Do More With Your Chow…..They Deserve It!," in the Spring 2021 issue on pages 9 & 11
pg
the caption for the photos shown below contanted a typo in the name of the dog it should be:
t should be:
U-CDX Sitze-Gou’s Glazz Misbehavin CGC UDX RA
Breeder: Bill Buell Owner: Jennee Stalzer-See