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Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute

Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute

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IDASH Rules & Criteria

 

IDASH Rules & Criteria
The International Directory for Australian Shepherd Health (IDASH) consists of three distinct services drawing on a single pedigree database complemented by subsidiary data tables:

  1. Open Health Database – a search page that enables the user to locate available open health information on any dog in the pedigree database.
  2. Pedigree Analysis Service – provides dog owners with reports indicating relative risk for carrying genes for over two dozen inherited health and fault traits.
  3. Pedigree Service – a subscription-based service that allows users to pull up various pedigree reports and download pdf pedigrees.

This document explains how data is obtained and maintained and how each segment of the program allows users to explore the data. If, upon reading this document, you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us

Data
In order to maintain the accuracy and integrity we have established a set of rules and criteria for data submission. Criteria for health data submission were formulated with the assistance of a veterinarian while pedigree data submission for the most part follows the rules laid out by Patrick MacRoberts for his on-line pedigree database which has been merged into IDASH.

Availability
Data is classified as either open or confidential.

  1. Open Data – comes from public resources or is submitted by owners with permission to publicly post> Health data comes from established open health registries or with supporting documentation. All open data is made available to IDASH users.
  2. Confidential Data – obtained from private sources or from individuals who elected to keep it confidential. Specific confidential data us not available to IDASH users; it is used for research and statistical purposes.
  3. Anyone may use IDASH but all IDASH users will be required to have a login to access IDASH data.

Sources
We acquire data from multiple sources, including:

  1. Open Sources – Data offered on publically accessible kennel club or established health registries and websites (Examp: OFA). This data is always classified as open.
  2. Data Sources for Purchase – Health or pedigree data offered in any format for purchase or subscription by kennel club or national breed club health registries. This data is always classified as open.
  3. Private submissions – data supplied by individuals. This data may be either open or confidential.
  4. Survey data – data submitted by survey participants. This data will always be confidential unless an owner of the dog has in some way made it public.

IDASH Users
An IDASH User is anyone who has set up an IDASH login. ASHGI will not share information on any user with other users related to IDASH functions except where two or more users as a group have communicated some question or concern to ASHGI OR where one is listed as the primary owner for a dog and another is secondary. If a user in any way abuses their access or takes any action to hack or damage IDASH or other ASHGI content or data or uses IDASH data for the purpose of harassing, threatening, or publicly shaming any individual either personally or via social media they will be blocked from further access to IDASH.

Data submission by individuals
Any individual may submit data to IDASH. ASHGI will review that data and may require additional information or documentation before accepting it. We reserve the right not to list data that does not meet our criteria. Only the owner of a dog may submit open health data and must also submit proof of ownership and documentation supporting the data being submitted. Breeders may submit open data on certain conditions that are present at birth or likely to be identified prior to sale. Where a dog is co-owned, any individual owner may submit data. Field length for titles is limited and should owners dispute which titles they want displayed, subject to the IDASH Pedigree Service Rules, ASHGI will not act as an arbitrator between them, nor repeatedly change titles back and forth. Data may be submitted via mail, in digital format via e-mail, or through various IDASH data submission forms. Title additions or changes may only be made

Documentation
Whenever possible documents should include the dog’s full registered name (titles optional) and the owner’s name (first and last). Documents which do not give this information will be subject to review and may be deemed unacceptable. If veterinary or other documents are submitted with only the dog’s call name, the owner may be required to complete and return a signed and witnessed Dog Identity Verification form stating that the dog listed on the documents is the one for which registry documents have previously been submitted.

Proof of ownership – required for any open health data submission or pedigree analysis request. Proof consists of any studbook registry-issued document (registration certificate, pedigree, etc.) naming the individual as an owner – or for certain traits the breeder. Lacking such information, a dog license, rabies certificate, or government-issued or –approved document naming the individual as the dog’s owner may be deemed acceptable.

Pedigrees – Pedigrees must include at least three generations of ancestry. They may be studbook-issued or privately produced. If necessary, additional pedigree may be requested to tie the dog to the extant IDASH pedigree database. Pedigrees may be paper, digital, or provided via the IDASH on-line pedigree submission form.

Health data – any open health data must be supported with documentation. Specific documentation required for different traits is described in the Health Database section of this rules and criteria document.

Error reporting
Every large dataset complied from multiple sources will accumulate some errors. ASHGI encourages IDASH users to inform us of any errors they find in the data via our error reporting forms. In some cases documentation may be required before a correction can be made.

OPEN HEALTH DATABASE (OHD)
The traits and diseases accepted for listing were selected because they are common, disqualifying, or have significant health impact. This list may be altered or criteria adjusted from time to time to adapt to new knowledge or diagnostic developments. Data may be submitted as open or confidential.

Open data

  1. Must be submitted by the dog’s legal owner.
  2. For things identified prior to a puppy going to its new home the breeder is the owner at that time and may submit that information.
  3. Documentation will be required and may consist of proof of ownership as well as veterinary statements and/or test results. Specifics vary by trait and ASHGI will inform the owner of what is required.

Confidential Data

  1. May come from several sources including but not limited to health survey data, private correspondence with Australian Shepherd owners, or by confidential submission to the IDASH health database
  2. Specifics of confidential data will not be made public or given to individuals who may ask for it.
  3. This data may, from time to time, be shred with qualified researchers subject to agreement to our data-sharing contract.

The open data can be searched by the public. A search page with an assortment of search parameters is provided.

Specific requirements for open listing of health information:

Addison’s Disease – Veterinary Verification Form for Cushing’s/Addison’s and dog MUST have ATCH and dexamethasone test results consistent with Addison’s Disease.

Allergies – IDASH Veterinary Verification Form for Allergies.

Autoimmune testicular atrophy – Veterinary Verification Form for Autoimmune Testicular Atrophy.

Autoimmune Thyroiditis – Blood panel indicating levels of autoantibodies for T3, T4, or thyroglobulin above reference range. (T4 AA >20, T3 AA >10, TGAA >35)

Bad Bites – Dog must be one year of age and Owner Verification Form for Bites.

Canine Multifocal Retinopathy – DNA test results or exam report from a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Cataract – DNA test results or exam report from a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Collie Eye Anomaly – DNA test results or exam report from a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Cone Degeneration – DNA test results or exam report from a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Congenital deafness – Good Quality photographs of the dog’s head clearly showing coloration on ears and one of the following: BAER test results, a certificate from a health registry that lists BAER test results, or, if no BAER test was performed, an IDASH Veterinary Verification Form for Congenital Deafness.

Cushing’s Disease – a Veterinary Verification Form for Cushing’s/Addison’s and the dog MUST have ATCH and dexamethasone test results consistent with Cushing’s Disease

Degenerative Myelopathy – DNA test result and (for clinically affected dogs only) a Veterinary Verification Form for Degenerative Myelopathy

Demodectic Mange, generalized – IDASH Veterinary Verification Form for Demodectic Mange.

Dermatomyositis – a Veterinary Verification Form for Dermatomyositis signed by board-certified veterinary dermatologist and a biopsy result indicating dermatomyositis.

Disqualifying Coat Colors – IDASH Owner Verification Form for Color and photographs taken in strong natural light of dog’s left and right sides in standing position. If the dog has excess white markings, those markings must clearly visible – take extra shots if necessary

DNA Test Results – laboratory-issued DNA test report. Reports currently being accepted include: Canine Multifocal Retinopathy, HSF4 Cataract, Collie Eye Anomaly, Cone Degeneration, D-locus (dilute), Dermatomyositis, E-locus (yellow), Hemophilia (A or B), Hereditary Cobalamin Malabsorbtion, Hyperuricosuria, MDR1, Merle, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis-6, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Epilepsy (Note: If a brain MRI has been performed the dog will be listed as having “presumptive epilepsy.” If no brain MRI has been performed, it will be listed as having “probable epilepsy.”) Veterinary Verification Form for Epilepsy

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) – Bloodwork and TLI test results consistent with EPI required for listing, clear hereditary cobalamin malabsorbtion DNA test, and Veterinary Verification Form – EPI.

Eye Diseases/Defects – Any report by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist done in accordance with ACVO, ECVO or equivalent rules.

Hemangiosarcoma – Tumor pathology report (preferred) and/or Veterinary Verification Form for Cancer. Optional: Cancer questionnaire (to aid research)

Hemophilia – DNA test for either Hemophilia A or Hemophilia B or a Veterinary Verification Form for Hemophilia
Hereditary Cobalamin Malabsorbtion – DNA test results.

Hernia – Dog must be at least three months of age and have an umbilical (belly button) hernia and Veterinary Verification Form or Owner Verification Form.

Hyperuricosuria (urate bladder stones) – DNA test results or veterinary verification form.

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura – Veterinary Verification Form

Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia – Veterinary Verification Form

Inflammatory bowel disease – Veterinary Verification Form for IBD and a biopsy result indicating IBD

Laryngeal paralysis – Veterinary Verification Form

Lupus – Veterinary Verification Form for Lupus and, if discoid lupus, a biopsy result indicating lupus.

Lymphoma – Tumor pathology report (preferred) and/or Veterinary Verification Form for Cancer. Optional: Cancer questionnaire (to aid research)

Megaesophagus – Veterinary Verification Form for Megaesophagus.
Merle, cryptic or cryptic carrier – DNA test result

Missing teeth – Dog must be one year of age and a certificate from a health registry that lists dental reports for missing teeth or an Owner Verification Form – Missing Teeth.

Myasthenia gravis – Veterinary Verification Form for Myasthenia Gravis signed by a board-certified veterinary neurologist

Neuronal ceroid lopofuscinosis – NCL DNA test indicating that the dog is or will become affected (two mutations) or one of the following: A pathology report finding NCL or a Veterinary Verification Form for NCL.

Orthopedic issues – a certificate issued by a registry for canine orthopedic disorders (strongly preferred) or IDASH Veterinary Verification Form

Patent Ductus Arteriosus or Persistent Right Aortic Arch – Veterinary Verification Form.

Pelger-Huet Anomaly Screening – PHA test report issued by a veterinarian or veterinary laboratory.

Pemphigus – Veterinary Verification Form and biopsy results

Porto-systemic shunt – Veterinary Verification Form for Liver Shunt. If shunt has not been verified surgically, Hereditary Cobalamin Malabsorbtion DNA test

Retained Testicles – Dog must be one year of age and Owner Verification Form for Retained Testicles.

Renal dysplasia – biopsy report indicating renal dysplasia

Uveodermatologic syndrome – Veterinary Verification Form for Uveodermatologic Syndrome signed by a board certified veterinary dermatologist or ophthalmologist

Vitiligo – Veterinary Verification Form signed by a board-certified veterinary dermatologist

Von Willebrands Disease – DNA test result

PEDIGREE ANALYSIS SERVICE (PA)
Who may request analysis
This service is offered to owners of registered Australian Shepherds. We do not offer it to owners of Miniature Australian (American – AKC) Shepherds, or Toy Australian Shepherds because we lack sufficient health and pedigree data to provide useful reports. ASHGI urges breed clubs for these other breeds to develop their own programs. We are happy to provide consultation services should they be requested.

Documentation
Clients will receive a notice via e-mail when they place their request. The notice provides information on what documentation will be required. Analysis will not be done until mandatory items of documentation are received. .

Required documents include proof of ownership for the dog and a pedigree of. Owners may also submit any health records or information they wish to provide on the dog itself or its relatives. The service will not be performed until ASHGI has reviewed all the information submitted by the dog’s owner. If ASHGI needs clarification on any of that information, they will contact the owner via the e-mail or other contact information the owner has provided.

Requests for documents, information, or payment from ASHGI
Should ASHGI send the client a request and the client fails to respond within 10 days the request may be cancelled and any fee paid forfeited.

Fees
The fee for pedigree analysis is $20 per pedigree. An on-line payment portal is provided or clients may send their payment by mail to ASHGI’s office. If payment is sent by mail it must arrive within 10 days of ASHGI’s acknowledgement of the service request or the appointment may cancelled.

Data used for pedigree analysis
ASHGI uses the data in its confidential and open health databases to arrive calculate the pedigree analysis scores. Most data was submitted under conditions of confidentiality. ASHGI will not respond to enquiries about specific dogs that may have contributed to the analysis scores. Clients are free to search the Open Health Database to locate any public data available on their dogs’ relatives.

Pedigree Analysis Scores
Because ASHGI is largely dependent on voluntary submission of health information it cannot obtain full information on every Australian Shepherd. Therefore, scores may be understated to the extent that information may not have been provided on dogs within five generations of a dog for which a report is produced.

Sores are determined via a modified percentage of ancestry calculation. They are not probability prediction, but are an indication of the level of background for a trait. Lacking trait-specific DNA screening test results, ASHGI cannot know with certainty whether my dog does or does not carry genes for a specific trait. The scores are only an indication that my dog might have such genes.

The service reviews my dog’s pedigree back five generations and in almost all cases the scores will arise from the contribution of multiple ancestors.

PEDIGREE SERVICE (PS)
Who may request analysis
Access to the database is available to anyone who wishes to use it and pays an annual subscription of $20.

Pedigree Data
The service draws upon the IDASH pedigree database, which also serves the Open Health Database (OHD) and the Pedigree Analysis Service (PA) and is received from multiple sources.

Submission of data
Pedigree data may be submitted by Pedigree Service subscribers, users of the OHD or PA, as well as others who wish to do so. All new submissions are reviewed and, if questionable, we will correct them or hold them for clarification from the submitting party. If any submission is a duplicate or patently false it will be discarded.

Data sharing
ASHGI may, from time to time, make specific subsets available for purchase. Legitimate researchers whose requests meet ASHGI approval may be provided a copy of the full dataset subject to acceptance of our data-sharing contract.

Listing of Titles
Submission of titles must be done by the owner of the dog. This is not a title tracking service but we will list them to the extent our software provides. Where space is an issue preference will be given to titles indicating higher levels of achievement.

Access Limitations
Subscribers will be limited to 50 database searches per day to prevent service slowdowns or downtime due to excess traffic. Service limiting software intended to keep the database functional for all users may sometimes slow processing if too many requests are coming in at the same time.

Denial of service/access

Causes for Pedigree Service subscription cancellation and/or denial of IDASH access

  1. Submission of false data via direct submission or the error submission process which the submitting party knew or could reasonably have been expected to know was false.
  2. Submission of or attempt to alter titles on a dog which the subscriber or other individual does not own.
  3. Any attempt to get around the use restrictions.
  4. Any attempt to hack our website to steal, lock, alter, or damage any ASHGI webpages or data.
  5. Any use of ASHGI data or site content to harass or publicly shame any individual verbally, physically, via written correspondence, or social media will result in a permanent ban of the responsible user(s) and revocation of PS subscriptions or not yet completed PA reports without refund of fees.