West Highland White Terrier
PKLR
Cardiovascular System
Swab, Blood EDTA, Blood Heparin, Semen, Tissue
Autosomal Recessive
–
1999
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK Deficiency) is a disorder of the red blood cells, which can result in anaemia and abnormal bone development. It is caused by a recessive mutation to the PKLR gene. The variant analysed in this test is found in the West Highland White Terrier. Related variants are also found in the Basenji, Labrador Retriever, Pug and Beagle.
Affected dogs suffer from intermittent weakness and regenerative anaemia. This anaemia can result in secondary symptoms such as pale mucous membranes, heart murmurs and an enlarged spleen.
Carriers have no clinical signs, but have half-normal levels of erythrocyte pyruvate kinase activity.
