Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD)
Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (CLAD) is an autosomal recessive mutation that affects Irish Setters and Irish Red and White Setters. The mutation prevents white blood cells from adhering to, and eliminating, harmful bacteria and viruses. Since the white blood cells are not functioning properly, the immune system cannot fight off infections. Affected puppies will develop multiple infections, most notably gum and umbilical infections, and die fairly quickly.
CLAD is recessive, meaning that both parents would need to be carriers to have affected offspring. If one parent has the mutation and the other is "clear," the offspring will not be affected but could be a carrier. It is estimated that over 10% of Irish Setters are carriers of the mutation. Since carriers do not show any symptoms of the mutation, testing is crucial to identify carriers of CLAD before breeding.
Animal Genetics accepts buccal swab, blood, and dewclaw samples for testing. Sample collection kits are available and can be ordered at Canine Test Now.
Test Is Relevant to the Following Breeds:
Animal Genetics offers DNA testing for Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency CLAD. The genetic test verifies the presence of the recessive CLAD mutation and presents results as one of the following:
|CL/CL||Affected||The dog carries two copies of the mutant gene and is homozygous for the CLAD mutation. The dog will display symptoms associated with the disorder and will always pass a copy of the mutation to its offspring.|
|CL/n||Carrier||Both the normal and mutant copies of the gene detected. The dog is a carrier for CLAD and could pass on either allele to any offspring 50% of the time.|
|n/n||Clear||Dog tested negative for the CLAD mutation and will not pass on the defective gene to its offspring.|