http://www.dogworld.co.uk/product.php/85200?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Dog+World+Newsletter+87+Dec+20&utm_content=Dog+World+Newsletter+87+Dec+20+CID_6ce5711d2f325dbd617a84d4bf7873b2&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=Calls%20for%20one%20voice%20on%20health%20at%20London%20Vet%20Show

Thanks Lucy... Good to see the BVA wanting to work with the KC to ensure 'one voice' to get people to buy healthy tested dogs :-)

The more people talk about this and share it this we are more likely to see change

> The more people talk about this and share it this we are more likely to see change

Agreed, good article.

I do think that individual vets have a part to play, how often do we read posts on here from people who say their dog is fully health tested, meaning the vet has checked it over. I wish vets knew more about testing, mine had no idea about dna tests for MDR1 or CEA, I had to do the MDR1 one myself and for the CEA blood test had to tell the vet where to send the sample and download the form myself. When the CEA results came back the vet left a message on my answerphone saying Milly was clear and 'ok for breeding now'. Err no, more tests to be done.

Education is the key all round, better education for vets, dog owners, potential breeders and the general public thinking of buying a puppy.

I have asked a local vets who run an antenatal clinic for pets why they do not publicise the BVA etc health tests.  They told me it would alienate their customers most of whom are just determined to have  litter from their pet and don't see themselves as breeders needing to do these extra and expensive tests fro a one off litter.

They don't even have a list of eye panelists on file if you ask them, or know much about the Hip Scoring scheme, and are vague if you ask them if they do many x-rays for HD scoring, so I use an ortho specialists 50 miles away resulting in better results, (they were not bad before but a few points higher than I would have expected) coincidence?.

Also no posters about Alizin to prevent a pregnancy after mismating, yet plenty on micro-chipping, worming, lung worm etc.

> they told me it would alienate their customers

That's the problem isn't it, but this worry about alienating customers means they are actually encouraging irresponsible breeding :-(

Maybe KC and BVA should go and do more with the vet students so the new generations of vets might act differently and realise and sell the health testing as a standard. In the end BVA is the body for vets isn't it so why are they not "selling" their scheme?

In the end if vets don't advise people thinking of breeding to complete the tests and "ok dogs for breeding" with just looking at them, who will??
Many people will listen to their vet and advise given by the vet.
I have learned when puppy people are advised something different to what I have as a breeder advised, some will listen to the vets advise or at least get very confused and unsure what they should be doing as each says a different thing so come to me checking what they have been told... This is with things  like feeding/neutering etc...