I've gone to Dr. Jacobs for heart clearances for many years and, yes, he does advocate 3 years as the cut off instead of 5 years. The reason that he gives, to keep from narrowing the gene pool, is a valid reason. However, I have a different opinion and so do many other people.
I really like Dr. Jacobs and think that he is a great cardiologist. I don't have to agree with him on this one point to be able to use him for heart clearances. All the best, Susan Cochran ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patricia Powers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 5:21 PM Subject: Re: [CKCS-L] Latest stats from Cardiologists Gil Jacobs data for cavalier breeders & others interested > Based on Gil's tracking new cases (never seen before by cardiologist) > > In 1994, total number of dogs examined were 172. Of those 172 dogs, 35% had > a murmur by age 3. > > In 2001, total number of new dogs examined were 248. Of those dogs, 30% had > a murmur by age 3. > > Results of this study: 5% drop in murmur detection by age 3 from new cases > examined in 1994 and in 2001 > > In 1994, 20% of the new cases had a murmur by 5 to 5.5 years > In 2001, 30% of the new cases had a murmur by 6 to 8 years > > Results are positive, stay the course. Not realistic to expect to eliminate > this complicated, polygenetic disease from cavaliers. However, we can > continue to increase the age of early development. His research already > shows over the last 7 years that we had a 5% drop by age 3. That is > progress! > > >From other foreign studies with larger samples over 10 year period, the > average age a murmur is detected by a cardiologist is: > 8% at 3 years, 24% by 5 years, 30 to 40% by 8 years, and 90% by 10 years. > > He also said if he had a dog clear at 3 but discovered a murmur at 3.5 years > that he still should be a part of the breeders breeding program because to > drop all dogs that have a murmur at 3.5 years of age would amplify too many > other negative traits and create new problems that don't exist now in our > breed. In his opinion, you have a higher chance of reducing carriers of MVD > by breeding 4 year olds that are heart clear. However, he said 4 is too old > to breed for the first time. So continue what we are doing because it is > making a difference in the age of early onset. > > Treatment suggestions: > murmur, no signs, no treatment > shows symptoms, use lasix > moderate heart enlargement, use ace inhibitor > severe, use all, every 12 hours - lasix, aldactone,plus "ace inhibitors" - > enalapril & beneazepril & digoxin > To sleep better, apply nitroglycerin ointment at night and wear a protected > glove when rubbing in on chest. Remove 12 hears later. > > Take incremental approach with food and exercise. > > Food: continue the same brand of dog food they enjoyed prior to diagnosis > vs. salt restricted food , however, restrict salt from treats like no more > peanut butter or chicken skin. Most important for them to keep eating. > > Exercise: no running at moderate enlargement > severe enlargement, must be very restrictive, pick up and take outside to > potty > > I have given a summary from my notes since he gave no hand-outs and hope you > find this helpful. > > Patricia Powers Pratt 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 > > ========================================================= > "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. ========================================================= "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.
