Canine coat pigmentation genetics: a review.

Anim Genet. February 2022;53(1):3-34.

L Brancalion¹, B Haase², C M Wade³

¹ Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.; ² Faculty of Science, School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.; ³ Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Abstract

Our understanding of canine coat colour genetics and the associated health implications is developing rapidly. To date, there are 15 genes with known roles in canine coat colour phenotypes. Many coat phenotypes result from complex and/or epistatic genetic interactions among variants within and between loci, some of which remain unidentified. Some genes involved in canine pigmentation have been linked to aural, visual and neurological impairments. Consequently, coat pigmentation in the domestic dog retains considerable ethical and economic interest. In this paper we discuss coat colour phenotypes in the domestic dog, the genes and variants responsible for these phenotypes and any proven coat colour-associated health effects.

Keywords

albinism; coat colour; deafness; dog; melanocyte; melanogenesis; pigmentation;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Comments:

Erratum In Anim Genet. 2022 Jun;53(3):474-475

Archives Highlights:

Adjuvant Chemotherapy Is Associated With Prolonged Survival Time in Small-Breed Dogs Undergoing Amputation for Appendicular Osteosarcoma.
The median time to distant progression for all dogs was 265 days, with no significant difference between treatment groups. The median overall survival for all dogs was 270 days, and it was significantly different between amputated dogs (150 days) and those also receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (353 days). In our cohort, osteosarcoma in small breeds behaved as aggressive as in large breeds.

Insights into breeding management and contraception in catteries - What we learned from an online survey.
Progestin pills (n = 235, 47.4 %) were most commonly administered in queens, followed by deslorelin implants (DSRI) (n = 53, 10.7 %). Regarding tomcats, the slight majority of breeders (n = 229, 53.3 %) did not use contraceptives, next common were DSRI (n = 141, 32.8 %). Within the study population, contraceptives were most popular in (Northern) Europe, while least common in Northern America.

Companion animal veterinary personnel have occupational risk for tularemia and One Health role for tularemia prevention in Kansas.
Forty-three percent (47 of 109) of veterinarians reported diagnosing tularemia in cats and 13% (14 of 109) in dogs. Seven percent (8 of 109) of veterinarians reported having had tularemia. When performing procedures with a high risk of exposure, such as lancing abscesses in tularemia suspects, glove use was 100% but additional personal protective equipment was inconsistent, including eye protection (70%) and surgical face mask (59%).

Canine distemper outbreak and laryngeal paralysis in captive tigers (Panthera tigris).
All suspected and confirmed cases of CDV infections were significantly associated with laryngeal inflammation, which developed into paralysis in almost 50% of cases. Altogether, 50% of all tiger cases with chronic infection developed stridor at 314 days after virus infection. Therefore, laryngeal paralysis may result from CDV infection and degeneration, potentially affecting the peripheral and central nervous systems. This condition could pose a life-threatening risk to tigers.

Guide for nonswine practitioners to enhance swine disease diagnoses.
This review aims to help clinicians across the country that may not have an in-depth experience in swine medicine become more familiar with both common and novel pathogens, formulate a differential diagnosis based on the age of the animals and affected system (eg, respiratory, systemic, nervous, and enteric), select proper samples and laboratory testing, and interpret laboratory data to achieve a disease diagnosis in porcine patients.