In cooperation with the Norwegian Lundehund Club of America (NLCA, Inc.) the GI Lab offers free testing of serum and fecal samples for the assessment of protein losing enteropathy (PLE) and gastrointestinal disease in Norwegian Lundehunds. The tests include measurement of cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folate in serum as well as alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (a₁-PI) in fecal samples, a marker for gastrointestinal protein loss.

Norwegian Lundehunds participating in this testing will be anonymously enrolled in a research study currently conducted at our laboratory. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of and further characterize gastrointestinal disease in the Norwegian Lundehund population.

We are not aware of any “lines” or families of Lundehunds that are free of disease and strongly recommend that all dogs from all sources are tested, even when they appear externally normal and are free of clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease. We also suggest that those purchasing Lundehunds ask for copies of test results from the parents of the dog that they are considering purchasing. Remember, such testing is provided at no charge to owners or breeders in large part by courtesy of financial support from the NLCA, Inc.

Repeated testing of every Lundehund, starting as early in life as possible, may greatly facilitate initiation of treatment against intestinal disease, which unfortunately is very common in this breed. Results of all individual tests from each dog will be held in confidence, and all collected data used by the GI Lab will be made available anonymously. We are grateful for the generous financial support for this work provided through the NLCA, Inc.

In addition to the free testing of fecal and serum samples from Norwegian Lundehunds, we are currently evaluating intestinal biopsies for histological abnormalities present in Lundhundes with gastrointestinal disease. Biopsies may be obtained by the primary care veterinarian during scheduled surgeries such as spays or neuters.

For further information please contact the NLCA, Inc. Health Director,
Ms. Debby Morris at rarebreedsx2@aol.com (phone: 309-243-9186) or Dr. Nora Berghoff at
nberghoff@cvm.tamu.edu (phone: 979-458-2293).