> Typical annual exams on dogs never include something you cannot see for yourself. If my dogs are off in any way, I keep a very close eye on them and they go in immediately if necessary. I think if you know your animals-weight, personality, lumps, bumps etc. you know how they are most of the time. Mine have all died really old-must be doing something right!
Well how about that? With all these breeders doing everything right, I just can't figure out where all this MVD, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation we are finding is coming from? Must be some kind of virus our dogs are catching from the vet's office. <G> Seriously now, if you really think these problems are a *normal* part of life and not necessary to closely monitor by annual testing and that so long as a dog lives past 10 years of age somewhat healthy it is ok--at what point do you think it should become serious enough to start testing for? MVD is at 99% by age 10--do we need to reach 100% by age three? four? seven? Hip dysplasia is 10-20%--does it need to reach 30%, 50% or 80% before we feel it needs more attention? Patellar luxation is probably more common than hip dysplasia--again what percentage would need to develop it before it would become something that should be checked yearly by a vet and monitored? Most of you seem quite comfortable with the way Cavaliers are today--so honestly, how much worse does it need to be before you become uncomfortable and feel the need to start testing annually, sharing the results, so that changes can be made to benefit Cavaliers? Laura Lang Roycroft Cavaliers ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
