|
German
Shepherd Dog Owners’ Information Group
"Unfortunately " said the voice in the crowd, "Many
breeders appear to be disinterested, and those who are concerned,
often find it very difficult to assist by obtaining information
that would help us". A statement which appears to have held
much truth, with reference to up to date information on health
and veterinary matters available to owners in all domains of the
world of dogs.
As then a member of the GSD League committee and news Editor of
Dog Training Weekly, I was somewhat concerned when thus receiving
queries on the health problems many had with their GSDs.
Where did one go?
Hearing it, then obtaining the correct advice to help was somewhat
difficult, because of the professional barrier, which existed
between the owner and the person with knowledge in this field.
Discussion on this subject with various breeders and the then
Secretary of the League Mrs Ixer, introduction to Mrs Lin Delamar
a retired chemist who had Veterinary experience and vast knowledge
of the breed plus was the first person to have a hydrotherapy
pool.
I myself was a Laboratory Technician with the AHT we had a great
deal in common, plus a few willing contacts.
Introduction to Sherry Scott, Veterinary Surgeons Stewart Hasty
and his wife Jane Nixon. Dr Sue Guthrie Vet and writer who worked
for the Guide Dogs for the Blind, found a combination of people
with one thing in common "healthy animals."
Lin Delamar, who unfortunately is no longer with us, arranged
a meeting of the group. And through her dedication and concern
for the German Shepherd Dog, the Information Group that was formed
in her memory has been continued.
The
Beginning
Our
first meeting took place in Bucks, at the Scotts’ lovely
country home on Friday 10th May 1996 at which all persons referred
to were present.
Much came under discussion but the real cause for anxiety came
from the subject CDRM now referred to as DM.
Sue Guthrie was a resident researcher at Cambridge and had been
working on the problem with German Shepherds.
Her expertise and advise was always given freely and we will
always be grateful to her input Sue was keen to put her knowledge
into books and thus she chose to leave the group.
Some time after this in 1998 a solicitor who had a client who
had lost two GSD’s from this problem contacted me.
I was put in contact with a veterinary surgeon at Glasgow University
called Pamela Johnson, who agreed to do more research into the
subject, and was given the gift of £1000 towards it. Unfortunately
no further useful feedback came from this.
By this time more interest had been shown in the group, knowledge
collected and queries and questions came from interested parties
on other health problems. Our information and contacts had thus
accumulated.
Joined by Mrs Ixer we attended Veterinary Seminars and Conferences.
I, in my capacity of News Editor for Dog Training Weekly, and
Secretary of the newly accepted GSD Owners Info Group.
We had developed quite a few contacts by this time, to which
we could turn to obtain up to date information and advise for
procedure and problems.
Queries and complaints about certain subjects gave me the opportunity
on 15th November 1999 to a meeting with Dr Jeff Sampson.
Who has always helped and advised the group, with great enthusiasm.
For which we give our thanks.
This was extremely fruitful and the help and advice he and Mrs
Ruth Dennis an orthopaedic Veterinary Surgeon gave us proved
to be extremely useful, discussion covered the subjects DM and
HD., DNA etc.
Fresh
Fields
On
the 20th January 2000 I received a phone call from Dr Brian
Catchpole, who left a message saying, "He had been advised
to contact me by Dr Sampson, would I please contact at my convenience
"
Returning the call I was asked if the Group would assist him
in his research by obtaining urine samples from animals, which
had been correctly diagnosed as having DM. He would also need
samples from healthy and arthritic animals.
This we agreed to do.
Unfortunately the samples do not just appear so after discussion
with Joyce it was agreed to ask for help through various media
contacts and to increase our group in number.
More
Help
We
had tragically lost Lin in the spring; this left a large gap
in our number for we had lost a dear friend. I am sure that
Lin would be extremely pleased at the success of the group if
she were still with us.
Chris Harvey, Valerie Egger, agreed to come to the group, and
later for the purposes of collected and collating information
Barbara Harvard joined us.
It was agreed we make contact with the Kennel Club giving them
examples of our pamphlets our work and information made available
by us.
A meeting was set for 13th JULY 2000 at 11am with Mrs Vanessa
McAlpine.
Joyce and I attended this and found the idea was acceptable
and as a result it was suggested that perhaps we would like
to have the pamphlets at hand for distribution at Discover Dogs
in the November. We were complimented on the range, without
scare mongering. Many people have and are assisted in filling
in questionnaires, collecting samples for researchers which
is continuing as and when required
Our
aims are:
To
help everybody where possible, on the subjects of GSD health
and veterinary queries.
To point them in the right direction to gain advise and assistance.
To help raise and obtain funds to assist in research where needed.
The well being of the breed was in our minds when this group
was formed.
It is neither for personal gain nor a witch-hunt
We wish to see the breed continue to become a healthy and happy
breed to own
The
Future
The
group was formed by and has been continued in loving memory
of Lin Delamar whose wish it was to assist owners with problems.
Her dedication and love of the breed, made people listen and
take us all very seriously in our quest to succeed in her quest.
Since those early days we have managed to assist in encouraging
research on Stomach Problems (SIBO/EPI) Auto Immune problems,(Skin
and A/F etc). Some have participated in the Genome project giving
DNA samples. We have more research being launched on D/M involving
a very prominent Neurologist. There is help available for Anal
Furunculous
We are a forward thinking group wishing to assist the breed
- B/C and owners to have a "healthy, long living"
specimen. It’s problems few, encouraging it to become a
popular breed to own once again.
May I take this opportunity to thank those OWNERS and KENNELS
who volunteered, and supplied the HEALTHY samples to find the
marker sort to help with research on stomach problems Those
also who also supplied samples from those affected. What would
we have done without your help?
Thanks to those Experts who have listened and helped us to get
this show on the road.
Information on results will follow in the near future. Let’s
keep our fingers crossed. We hope to have a Seminar early in
2003. This revolves round the experts being available at the
same time. But watch the publications and my web site for further
announcements.
www.cermar.co.uk
ALL PRESENT PRINTING of Discover the German Shepherd Dog by
Joyce Ixer NOW SOLD.
OUR THANKS to all who have so readily supported us, and the
publications who have assisted in printing my Updates.
Those who want help can contact:
Dorothy A Cullum
01277-220933
dorothy-cullum@cermar.co.uk
Joyce Ixer 01962-776239
Chris Harvey 01223-208216
sherak@tesco.net
|
