By Nikkiw983
Date 02.06.03 16:02 UTC
I have decided to put my 3 year old Boxer Dog up for Stud. However I contacted my closest Boxer Rescue and they informed me that he will have to be Heart Scored. I would really appreciate it if someone could inform me of what is actually used when heart scoring e.g equipment, how the score is worked out etc. I have no idea of how or where to get this done.
I'd appreciate some help on the above matter.
Thanks a million
xx
Heart scoring is done by a vet that specialises in cardiology,
they will listen to the heart by stethascope which in veterinary terms
is called ascultation. If they think that the dog has a murmer of a grading
that needs further investigation then you will be advised to go to a
referral centre where they will do ECG and dopplor.
The heart is graded by the vet, 0 being no murmer detected and then going
through the gradings to 6. 6 is the most severe murmer.
Dogs/bitches that attain 0 or 1 grades are considered clear for breeding purposes.
The dogs that achieve these scores are then put on the heart list which is a list of
dogs and bitches. This can be viewed on the internet at http://www.boxerunderground.com/uk
The heart testing scheme is trying to eradicate or at least diminish the incidence of aortic stenosis within
the Boxer breed and after 10 years or so of using dogs which heart scores are cleared for breeding purposes
it seems that giant steps have been made towards this goal.
This testing does happen at the breed clubs shows testing normally costs £7.50 per dog.
Ring your local Boxer club for details of their next heart-testing session, they will be able
to tell you which cardiologist that is testing at their show etc.
Kind Regards
Boxacrazy