Hi Maureen: You wrote: "We are not as lucky as you being able to get testing at such a low rate. Does this mean the dog has to be at least one year for your program? We test a lot earlier than one year. It is possible to see MVD as early as 7 months in our experience."
For study purposes, our ideal start age is 1 year; however we have had a few start earlier than 1 year. For example: according to our last printed compilation of stats in Nov/99: of the 8 cavaliers presented in the 0-1 year age group (equal split M/F); 38% showed "affected" on doppler and 12% on auscultation. These are "unofficial" but were conducted by our club's volunteer responsible for data entry (Carol Foxall). You wrote: "If you are going to show a dog and hopefully use it in your breeding program, it makes a lot of sense to get your dogs done early. It is no guarantee that the dog will ultimately be clear but it does help." I totally agree! IMO and in my personal practice, I start my dogs in the study at 1 year of age (or as soon after as I can get them in). I have two yearly exams done and depending on those results, I then plan my breedings. This means I would have a totally clear conscience of breeding a cavalier at 2 years (assuming we have favourable results for the parents as well) rather than wait until 2.5 - 3 years. I would draw attention back to the current discussion of concerns re waiting too long to breed bitches due to risks such as pyometra. One can logically see how doppler testing would play an important role here. As an FYI, if I have my geography correct, I believe you are in the Montreal/Ottawa area. If so, you are relatively close to one of our 3 cardiologists (Dr. DeMadron). There is also a reasonable size representation of cavalier breeders in your area. I would suggest that you band together and approach Dr. DeMadron about the possibility of conducting your own "mini cell group" study. In your proposal, I would suggest that you advise how many would participate, volunteers available to attend to bookings, paperwork and data entry, and suggest off-clinic hours/day to conduct these screenings. IMO, it is definitely worth a try. If you were able to conduct this study, your stats could be represented along with ours (not included in our two cardiologists' study results, but separately as general stats put forward by our national club, indicating trends in various areas of the country. These stats would not be evaluated by either Dr. O'Grady or Dr. Minors, but you could have Dr. DeMadron provide comment). I believe that any area, anywhere, could set up this type of "mini-study" if they were organized well and could ensure continuing participation. Cardiologists in private practice could generate more income and utilize their equipment more cost efficiently. Hopefully this isn't just my eternal optimism leading me astray :) Pat Barrington - Barrington Cavaliers (Southern Ontario-Canada) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ========================================================= "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.
