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Polydactyly (Asian breeds)

Affected Genes: LMBR1

Inheritance: Autosomal Dominant

Variant(canFam6):
chr16:20011472: C>T

General Information: Polydactyly (Asian breeds) is a hereditary condition in dogs characterized by the presence of extra toes on one or more paws. This condition is present from birth and does not typically cause health problems or discomfort for the affected dog. The extra toes may be fully formed and functional or smaller and less developed. While some owners may choose to have the extra toes removed for cosmetic reasons or to prevent potential snagging or injury, many dogs live normal, healthy lives without surgical intervention. Polydactyly is often seen in certain Asian breeds, where it may even be considered a desirable trait in some working environments for better traction and balance.

How to Read Your Dog's Test Results for this Genetic Variant:

Two Variants Detected: Dog Likely Affected

One Variant Detected: Dog Possibly Affected

No Variants Detected: No Effect

Gene / Testing Information: Genetic testing of the LMBR1 gene can identify whether a dog is a carrier of Polydactyly (Asian breeds). This trait is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning that only one copy of the mutated gene is needed for the dog to exhibit polydactyly. Dogs with one or two copies of the gene will likely have extra toes, while those with no copies will have the standard number of toes. Understanding the genetic status of breeding dogs is important to predict and manage the occurrence of polydactyly in offspring. Since the condition does not usually pose health risks, breeding decisions may be influenced more by breed standards and owner preferences than by medical necessity.


References:
Park K, Kang J, Pd Subedi K, Ha J-H, and Park C. Canine polydactyl mutations with heterogeneous origin in the conserved intronic sequence of LMBR1. Genetics 2008 179(4):2163-2172.