What are the screening tests most commonly used prior to breeding for the following conditions:

DCM

Aortic Stenosis.

What are the results? I know from what i have read that there is grading 0-6 in murmurs, is CLEAR a '0'?

For dcm normally an ultrasound is done to detect any structural abnormalties.
A 48hour holter moniter is worn to detect any arrithmia which is often the first signs of it.
There are a few companies which do it but are very expensive (£700+) especially considering it's a teat you should do anually. Depending what breed you have some breed clubs have program where you get it at a discounted price (dobermanns and boxers etc)

This isn't done very much over here (uk) which is a shame but hopefully it will be a test breeders reconise and do with regularity along with the basics of hips and eyes.

Cardiac Sceening under boxer scheme is undertaken by specialist cardiologist and any murmurs are graded 0 - 6  =   0 is no audable murmur with 6 being a murmur so loud it can be detected whilst the stehescope is not even in contact the chest wall.  We get the GSP screened under this scheme.

0 - 1 is classed as Normal but grade two or above would require doppler ultrasound to establish cause of the murmur (diagnosis of probable cause can be estimated due to nature of murmur presentation but definative diagnosis can only be made by doppler)  For AS a grade 2 or greater audable murmur would still be classed as acceptable if aortic flow is less than 2m/sec or less by dopler.

K

Boxers don't get discounted prices for DCM testing (or Boxer Cardiomyopathy).
Although think there was one research group that offered cheaper testing if your dog fitted the criteria of
what they needed for research purposes (think this was Liverpool)

Although I've certainly not paid anywhere near £700 for a 48hr holter moniter test!
Think the last one certainly wasn't over £250.

Some of our breed clubs have machines that you may be able to 'loan' for a donation and then
the cost to have the cards read approx £100 plus vat the last time I had this done but prices may have increased by now.
http://www.holtermonitoring.co.uk/index.htm This is the company that normally reads cards and is certainly the company
that my own vet (who is a cardiologist) uses to supply holter monitors.

This is the most usefull post i have ever seen!!
I have been trying to find out where to rent these from for a while, my local vet (cardio) wants £500 for a 48 hour test and £190 for a ultrasound scan. A refereal place i was sent to wanted the £690.
There is a trial for Dobermanns but you have to be over 5 to take part.

I paid my own vet's consult fee to have the breed club's monitor fitted to one of my dogs.
This was because I didn't feel confident of getting the monitor correcty fitted by doing it all myself.
I guess I'm lucky because my own vet is a cardiologist (but chooses not to go on our breed heart testing cardiologist list).
She was happy to help and is well aware of the research going in to cardiomyopathy within my breed and others.
Then obviously there was the donation to the breed club for using it and the card reading cost.

When having the monitor arranged through my own vet, I pay a consult plus the hire of the machine from Scotland and the reading cost.
Although you do have to be aware that the company that rents them out takes your credit card details because if there is any
damage to the machine you are charged.

Certainly never been charged the prices you've been quoted unless going to a cardiologists referral place and then that charge included a referral fee along with all the diagnostic test costs.

Perhaps the breed clubs within your own breed have purchased some holtor monitors and have a card reading agreement set up?
It might be worth approaching them as some clubs can be very pro-active with health issues.

The other thing is to look into the cost of purchasing a holtor monitor yourself as it may work out cheaper to do so long term.
Especially if you have a number of dogs that you want to test annually.
Plus then either training yourself to fit them or finding a lovely vet that is happy to do that for you.

Good luck in finding the most suitable alternative for you and your dogs.

Try Liverpool University as they are conducting the Dobermann Trial.  I think I was quoted £280 although that was a few years ago.

I spoke to my cardiologist about this, and they dont want me to just pay the fees.. but a rather large handleing fees for doing it.

I was very close to buying a tape version of the moniter as the $ -->£ rate is rather good.. however I would rather wait and save the extra £700 for a digital one... then i can test all my dogs every year .. and possibly help others .. and TRY to get it a more prevolant test in the breed.