Secretary Of The Joint Health Group Julie Revill Tel 01621 854765 E-Mail julita@furzelands.demon.co.uk

The Joint Health Group (JHT) was formed in 1994, made up of Delegates from all four Clubs in the UK, the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club, the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales, The Northern Welsh Springer
Spaniel Club, and of course the South Eastern Welsh Springer Spaniel Club. The JHT meets at present, twice a year, to discuss any health matters within our breed and the delegates then report back to their
Committees. The three conditions that have been looked at in depth at present are Epilepsy, Glaucoma and Hip Dysplasia, and the hand-outs on these conditions are available here for you to view.

The JHG is looking at the incidence of Primary Epilepsy in the breed. The Group is working with the Animal Health Trust (AHT) towards the possible development of a DNA test for the condition. Blood samples are
being collected to try to identify a marker for the genes involved. Samples from complete litters are particularly useful. Cathryn Mellersh has provided a report on this condition and the AHT have agreed to store
blood samples without charge in order to assist the research.

Glaucoma has been studied by Dr Keith Barnett and Mrs Beverley Cottrell in the past and so the Group sought their help again to investigate the problem. Testing sessions have been arranged over the last few years at the WSSC Championship Show held in September, a gonioscopy lens having been purchased by the JHG for Mrs Cottrell to use in these sessions.

Hip Dysplasia - Dr Malcolm Willis wrote a report on this condition in 2000. The breed average at that time being 19. The JHT continue to monitor the condition but have recently requested that ALL x-rays are sent up for scoring, as only sending the 'good' ones gives a false average.