Symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy (SLO) is a chronic problem of the toenails that is seen in a number of dog breeds and is believed to be autoimmune in origin. It is the second most common autoimmune disease in the Bearded Collies as per the Bearded Collie BeaCon’s Open Health Registry: approximately 3.5% of dogs with information posted are reported as having the condition and of those, 88% were diagnosed before the age of 8 years. Affected dogs display loose nails, bleeding at the nail beds, loss of nails, splitting nails, and significant pain. The condition is difficult to treat showing variable response to treatment. In all cases the nails must be removed when the condition first presents. Some dogs show complete recovery (rare) whereas others require sustained treatment with immune modulators, whereas others show remission followed by recurrence with nails needing to be removed again. The precise cause of the condition remains unclear with numerous factors potentiating expression of the disease although a genetic component is strongly suspected. In this study, a genome wide association study will be used to identify genetic regions that underlie SLO in the Bearded Collie. The ultimate goal is to develop diagnostic tools to aid in reducing the incidence of SLO through genetic testing.

Funding for the research is provided through the efforts and generosity of the Bearded Collie Foundation for Health. The AKC Canine Health Foundation supports the funding of this effort and will oversee administration of funds and scientific progress reporting.