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. 2021 Jul 13;8(1):6.
doi: 10.1186/s40575-021-00105-2.

Prevalence of an angiotensin-converting enzyme gene variant in dogs

D B Adin  1 , C E Atkins  2 , S G Friedenberg  3 , J A Stern  4 , K M Meurs  2
Affiliations

Prevalence of an angiotensin-converting enzyme gene variant in dogs

D B Adin et al. Canine Med Genet. .

Abstract

Background: Genetic heterogeneity of the canine angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene is functionally important because the degree of aldosterone breakthrough with ACE-inhibitor therapy is greater in variant positive dogs compared to variant negative dogs, but the prevalence of the variant is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine ACE gene variant-positive prevalence in a population of 497 dogs of different breeds.

Results: Overall variant-positive prevalence was 31%, with 20% of dogs heterozygous and 11% of dogs homozygous. The variant was overrepresented in Irish Wolfhounds (prevalence 95%; P < .001), Dachshunds (prevalence 90%; P < .001), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (prevalence 85%; P < .001), Great Danes (prevalence 84%; P < .001), and Bull Mastiffs (prevalence 58%; P = .02). Irish Wolfhounds were more likely to be homozygous than heterozygous (P < .001).

Conclusions: Nearly one-third of dogs in this study were positive for a functionally important ACE gene variant, with wide prevalence variability between breeds. The clinical importance of high ACE gene variant-positive prevalence in some breeds requires further study because the highest prevalences were found in breeds that are predisposed to heart disease and therefore may be treated with ACE-inhibitors.

Keywords: Aldosterone breakthrough; Genotype; Heart; Renin-angiotensin aldosterone system.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Adin has received funding from CEVA Animal Health and has provided consultation and sponsored lectures for Ceva Animal Health and Boehringer Ingelheim. Dr. Atkins has received funding from and has consulted for CEVA Animal Health, Boehringer-Ingelheim, and Vetoquinol. Drs. Meurs, Stern and Friedenberg declare that they have no competing interests.

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