DanBar Ranch
in loving memory of Dan and Barbara Jessup
Heart failure is a leading cause of death among dogs. The most common inherited heart diseases in the dog include the congenital defects, Subvalvular aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The most common adult onset inherited diseases include dilated cardiomyopathy and endocardiosis.
By breeding and not selecting against carriers, breeders are selecting for a carrier frequency of fifty-percent; higher than most breed averages. Each breeder must assess the frequency of the defective gene in their own breeding stock and determine their own rate of progress. As each breeder reduces the number of carrier breeding stock, the frequency of the defective gene for the breed will decrease.
Health Testing: CARDIAC DISEASE
There are genetic (inherited from the parents) health challenges which face the Cairn terrier. Like other inherited diseases, it is within the hands of breeders whether a breed becomes clear of these diseases or continues to be at risk.
It is SO important for breeders to have breeding stock checked for any signs of heart disease, such as murmurs. As a breeder of Dobermans, a breed which has been allowed (by breeders) to become riddled with heart disease, I take the challenge seriously to do what I can in the time allotted me, to produce foundation quality dogs for pet homes or breeders, that are cleared for heart disease.
I thank you for your support. Only when a puppy buyer cares enough to support breeders who put the purchase price of the pup back into the breed by health testing, can a breed become healthier. These dogs are truly are best friends - to me, its the least we can do for these wonderful creatures.
Above: normal heart in a dog. Below: a diseased heart.
TESTING AVAILABLE FOR CARDIAC DISEASE
The below gives some information regarding the Cardiac program of the OFA. My Cairns undergo the "advanced cardiac" testing while the Dobermans also undergo the Echocardiogram.
• Two-tiered clearance: congenital and adult onset cardiac disease • Improved statistical data regarding prevalence and progression of canine cardiac disease • Exams limited to ACVIM/ECVIM Cardiology Diplomates • Results meet all CHIC cardiac criteria • No changes to OFA submission procedures. The minimum age for clearance for congenital or adult onset cardiac disease remains at 12 months. However, clearance for adult onset cardiac disease is valid for only 1 year from the time of the exam. Due to the prevalence of arrhythmias associated with adult onset cardiac disease in Boxers and Dobermans, clearance for this population of dogs also requires a Holter test to be performed within 90 days of the regular cardiac exam. The interpretation of the Holter test is limited to a board certified veterinary cardiologist. In addition, the previous forms were signed by the clinician and given to the representative of the dog (i.e. owner, breeder) to be submitted to OFA. Therefore, it was common that individuals would not submit forms for dogs that did not pass. This process did not allow for a data base regarding prevalence and progression of cardiac disease to be compiled. Now the forms are in triplicate. The representative of the dog receives a copy that they can submit to OFA for public record if they choose. The cardiologist has 2 copies, one they keep and one they send to OFA for creating a data base. The copy submitted to OFA by the cardiologist is not public record.
