Health tests

Clodagh

Clodagh

Playing chess with pigeons
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17 August 2005
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I would like to get Ffee’s hips and elbows scored this year so I can make an informed decision about spaying or not. I understand though that it is best to eye test first as it is cheaper, then if there is a problem there I have saved wasting money on x rays.
Can the eye test now just be done genetically? Or do they still need to go and see the eye man? I doubt that will be happening this year? I have looked (ish!) on the KC website but have drawn a blank.
 
You can DNA test for prcd-PRA to get the clear/carrier/affected status but I think it's recommended for labs to have the annual eye examination too for things like hereditary cataracts and retinal dysplasia (don't quote me on it being exactly those ?) - it's somewhere deep in the depths of the KC website but I too find it supremely unhelpful to navigate.

The KC were making a big song and dance about the new Combibreed DNA testing packages at Crufts this year and I think there's a labrador version if that works out better value than doing the standalone PRA test?

You are right though that all BVA health schemes are currently on hold, hip/elbow scoring as well as eye testing.
 
Thank you very much and dammit!
I wouldn’t breed until she has proved her worth or otherwise as a worker so there isn’t really a rush to test but I will spay her if they are bad so could save my house some mess.
At least the decision for now has been taken out of my hands.
 
Eye testing has to be carried out by a BVA eye panelist. There is a list on the KC website. I can highly recommend John Mould who works at the veterinary eye clinic near Ludlow. He was so patient with my young wiggly flatcoat doing her PLA test. The latest guidelines for PLA is to retest every 3 years especially for breeding stock. I’m not sure about the other eye tests as flatcoats are only scheduled for PLA.
 
satinbaze said:
Eye testing has to be carried out by a BVA eye panelist. There is a list on the KC website. I can highly recommend John Mould who works at the veterinary eye clinic near Ludlow. He was so patient with my young wiggly flatcoat doing her PLA test. The latest guidelines for PLA is to retest every 3 years especially for breeding stock. I’m not sure about the other eye tests as flatcoats are only scheduled for PLA.
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Thank you. I have heard it is a horrible test and the man that does it near here (Romford?) was not very nice to a friends bitch. Hence I was hoping it could all be done genetically now. Thistle is near me, I might ask her who did her dog. That was a few years ago so if I am slandering someone I am possibly out of date and sorry.

From what you say about being up to date I may wait until I have really decided what to do. I will get xrays this year anyway, if I can, as I am such a stresshead about every lame step.
 
In normal circumstances they often hold testing sessions at championship dog shows and I think at some of the game fairs too, so you might not need to use the unpleasant local one. ?

I think it might have been John Mould that looked over the photos of one of my sibes and gave advice by email, it is a shame you're not up this way as the Eye Vet Clinic is really rather good, we refer a lot of clients there and never yet had a bad experience.
 
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Clodagh said:
Thank you. I have heard it is a horrible test and the man that does it near here (Romford?) was not very nice to a friends bitch. Hence I was hoping it could all be done genetically now. Thistle is near me, I might ask her who did her dog. That was a few years ago so if I am slandering someone I am possibly out of date and sorry.

From what you say about being up to date I may wait until I have really decided what to do. I will get xrays this year anyway, if I can, as I am such a stresshead about every lame step.
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The breeder I got my pup from lives near you, I can ask her where she gets her dogs eyes tested just to give you another option?
 
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