Hi,  the stuff I've been reading about eye-testing has left me agreeing that it should be done. Now this may sound rather stupid but it has occured to me that even if the bitch and dog were tested and clear it does not mean that they will not develop the problems later in life and therefore that the pup may also develop problems later. Or have I got it round my neck?
I can see the value of knowing that the sire and dam were clear at the time of mating, but given that testing is optional how can PHPV/HC be eliminated. Does the KC notify progeny owners if a dog is subsequently found to be affected? Does anyone know the proportion of KC reg SBT that are tested at present? or is there a genetic test available?
My brain is whirling from all the things I've been learning about SBTs'!!

If SBT PHPV is the same as Dobermanns which I understand is the case then this condition only requires one testing.  Unless the result is borderline in which case (in the Netherlands etc) they test again 12 months later.

Therefore the pups I have tested before they leave me that are clear of PHPV should remain so (unless the examiner misses something).

There is no genetic test and unlikely to be one as the mode of inheritence is not clear cut.  It is possible for two mildly affecteds to produce an (apparent) Clear and for two (apparent) Clears to produce an affected.  I would suspect that the (apparent) Clears are carriers but have not been able to find enough absolute information on this.

No, the KC does not notify progeny owners this is up to the owner of the dog.  You can probably buy a list of tested dogs from the KC although these will not show up those tested as litters only as adults.

Figures I have at present with regards to results from eye testing for SBT-
In 2002 there were a totoal of 330 dogs/bitches tested of which 2 were found to be affected.
There were 6 affected in 2001 ( from 294 tested), 5 in 2000 ( from 277 tested) and 5 in 1999 (from 179 tested).

If you are breeding for the right reasons then any decent stud dog owner will not even think of using an untested bitch- there are far too many implications for his line and his reputation should there be affected puppies.

Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV): Dr Barnett said that whilst a few cases of PHPV could be found in a number of dogs, inherited PHPV is found in only a few breeds, e.g. Doberman (particularly in the Netherlands where the breed was quite severely affected with PHPV) as well as Staffords. Unlike HC, which is not congenital (i.e. not present until around 3-4 weeks of age), PHPV is congenital (i.e. is present at birth). PHPV can be identified from as early as 2-3 weeks, although a more accurate diagnosis would be obtained at around 6-8 weeks of age. Although present at birth, PHPV is not progressive except in a few isolated cases, however it is very variable in its degree of severity and can affect both eyes. Dogs suffering from mild forms of PHPV can produce offspring that are severely affected.

During questioning, Dr Barnett confirmed that both PHPV and HC could be diagnosed by the age of 12-18 months. He saw no requirement, therefore, to continue testing purely for PHPV/HC after that age if previous results had been clear. However, he did emphasise that eye tests are designed to look for all eye abnormalities that may be inherited, so it is beneficial to continue testing beyond 12-18 months to regularly check for these. He recommended testing up to any age, but particularly through the breeding cycle of the dog/bitch.

Thanks for that Lel. I've got an appointment to have my dogs done next week. From the numbers you give it doesn't seem that there are many people out there testing their SBTs!

That is why the disease is in the breed as there are not enough responsible breeders taking care to get these things check out before they have a litter of puppies. If you or your husband had a disease and were planning to have children wouldn't you check with the doctor first if it was ok to have children? Well the same applies to breeding dogs. Testing should be carried out at 12mths, 18mths and once a year after that in my opinion but different breeders go down different roots and some will only test once in a dogs lifetime but PHPV can sometimes lay dormant till a dog is two or three so testing at 18mths only is a bit naive.

Or alternitive yearly testing is also a way of seeing if your dog or bitch has any problems.

Hi Lel

The dogs being tested - are they mostly dogs which have been/will be bred from or whole litters?

What are the numbers of SBT's registered in a year - the reason I ask is to compare to Dobes

The information I have doesnt break down the figures into breeding dogs/bitches or pups etc
But with regard to registrations-
In 1999 there were 9,900 dogs registered
2000 there were 11,026 registrations
2001 there were 10,072
and in 2002 there were 10,711 registrations
Hope that helps Christine :)

Hi Lel

Thanks for that - I was curious as to the percentages of SBT's tested compared to registrations as against Dobes - and if you ask I will have to go and do some research/counting as I don't have the numbers to hand other than registrations are around the 3000 mark and eye testing much less :)

So it looks like less than 1% of KC reg SBTs are tested at present - that's a scary thought!

Yes it is. And fewer are hip scored :(
Karen

Oh here I go again showing my naievity(sp) I didn't know SBT's had hip problems...can you tell me more please.

Just thought I'd let you know my bitches passed their eye tests today (sigh of relief!).

congrats poppynurse, what are their names? and can i see pictures please !!!

Emma (fellow stafford worshipper!!)
;)

when i got the BMSs back from the KC with flynns hips scores,i was amazed to how few of each breed have been done since the start of the scheme!!!!!!!

just got my affix reminder through and with it was a form to become part of the kc accredited breeders scheme.in it the only requirement in the breed specific tests for the health testing of staffords as of now is the kc/bva eye testing scheme.no mention of hip or elbow or dna testing.just wondered the reasons.also it does state to be a member of this sceme the eye test should be current (within the last 18 months) and if the problem can be seen prior and does not require another test then why re test at more expense, just a little confused.
ps all of mine have passed a single eye test.

I've got one of those through too, and it does say (requirement 4) that all breeding stock must be permanently identified (DNA, microchip or tattoo) and that after the Scheme has been running for a year, all breeding stock will have to be DNA profiled.

My breed's not even listed for testing, and we consider BAER to be vital.

Hi it  doesnt mention hipscoring for Border Collies either :(