One of my local vets has a FB page and has just announced this. I wondered how common this kind of thing  is? Both my dogs are from uncertain backgrounds and are neutered, but I have often thought about eye-testing them to be aware of any problems in the future.

"Orchard Vets are please to announce the launch of their NEW Genetic Health Testing Clinics. These clinics are run Monday to Friday and are aimed at clients wanted to test their pets for any hereditory dieseases before breeding. We can advise you on the common conditions seen in your breed and what tests are usually advised and avaliable. Most tests require a small blood sample which in most cases is easy to obtain and does not require sedation or a full anaesthetic. The only exception to this is Xrays taken for the BVA/KC Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme - Please call the surgery and speak to Jo for more information."

Good idea -never heard of it. I like my vets and they are breeder friendly but it so annoys me to see notices on their walls offering dogs at stud without any health testing, to anyone who asks -I don't think they SHOULD accept such notices. BTW I hope the vets in question here are better at health screening than spelling LOL. Oh and you probably won't be able to get normal eye testing (such as needed for Belgians, we can't DNA test for HC) unless the surgery has an eye specialist working there.

> Oh and you probably won't be able to get normal eye testing (such as needed for Belgians, we can't DNA test for HC) unless the surgery has an eye specialist working there.

Interesting point - I wonder what they will say if I ask them?

I'm really lucky with my vet - who isn't an eye specialist.  My toy breeds don't actually have compulsory eye testing, but I feel strongly, having owned a Poodle with PRA many years ago.

I discussed eye testing with him about 10 years ago, and he said that he was perfectly able and experienced enough to eye test for me, but was not able to provide me with a certificate.  Fair enough, I don't have to have it done, but he has eye tested all my gang, and as it is for my own satisfaction, I don't need a certificate.

I realise that things would be different if I had different breeds.

My vets has a FB page, it all started when they refurbished it. They have advertised their new cardio machine. There is nothing at this time re health testing clinics at all. I have spoken to my vet about heart testing and they will do this for breed health tests, need to enquire further re price at another date.

I think that advertising these tests that they can do or arrange are only a good thing and feel that really it should be promoted a lot more. The vet I choose to visit is a breeder and exhibitor himself.

> I discussed eye testing with him about 10 years ago, and he said that he was perfectly able and experienced enough to eye test for me, but was not able to provide me with a certificate.  Fair enough, I don't have to have it done, but he has eye tested all my gang, and as it is for my own satisfaction, I don't need a certificate.

That sounds good to me, if this lot can do it :)
I have been trying to find local testing days near me without much luck - not helped by me not having transport. A peace of mind test is all I want.... we'll see if they can rise to the occasion - I really hope so.

Money making thats all that is, another way of making a buck! Reminds me of thost PPI adverts where they charge a fee for what you can do yourself.

Sorry but if a person has the interest of their animals at heart they'll have researched all necessary tests which rarely need a vet to sort out for them.  DNA testing is just cheek swabs, eyes and hips folk go to specialist vets, my regular vet is a well known eye specialist, my old vet is very well known for hipscoring X Rays, rarely got the score wrong either when results came in.  These specialists are well known amongst breeds and via BVA/KC websites and of course breed clubs, a little research isn't difficult and certainly cost effective. 

Think I'm getting cynical in my old age lol.

> I think that advertising these tests that they can do or arrange are only a good thing and feel that really it should be promoted a lot more. The vet I choose to visit is a breeder and exhibitor himself.

Absolutely my thoughts as well - I will speak to them, maybe give them a little probing to make sure they can walk the walk...;) but wouldn't it be great if ALL vets were as forward thinking!

Money making thats all that is, another way of making a buck! Reminds me of thost PPI adverts where they charge a fee for what you can do yourself.

But you are talking about REAL dog people. The people these vets can end up reaching are the ones wanting just one litter off their pet because EVERYONE they know wants one -those people that never in a million years would even dream of finding an eye specialist or even understand what a DNA test does. The people that think health tests are only for show dogs! And this HAS to be a good thing! Far too few vets actually tell people health testing MUST be done before breeding -whether the planned litter is from two KC registered pet Labradors or from two different breeds to create more money making designer crosses.

> Think I'm getting cynical in my old age lol.

Well you might be, as I am already :)
There may be little or no take-up on this, BUT we have heard so many times "oh yes we had a vet check before breeding" but that was only a once-over never mind a full MOT, and if this vet practice is going to tell people what they NEED to do in terms of genetic tests, surely that is a positive drop in the ocean?

Could it be that if their vet tells them they should do X, Y and Z before breeding, it might either put them off, or encourage them to do it properly?

It's not easy to educate the masses but I do like the attitude of these vets.

> But you are talking about REAL dog people. The people these vets can end up reaching are the ones wanting just one litter off their pet because EVERYONE they know wants one -those people that never in a million years would even dream of finding an eye specialist or even understand what a DNA test does. The people that think health tests are only for show dogs! And this HAS to be a good thing! Far too few vets actually tell people health testing MUST be done before breeding -whether the planned litter is from two KC registered pet Labradors or from two different breeds to create more money making designer crosses.

**like**

> Think I'm getting cynical in my old age lol.

Lol, who knows.. I can see your point, however education is key and I think if vets can highlight BVA and breed health testing then it may make people think about it, even if its future puppy owners.

> I think if vets can highlight BVA and breed health testing then it may make people think about it, even if its future puppy owner

It has to be the way forward! If the vets are that clued up, just think of the changes that could be made gradually over time.

I'd say pretty uncommon, except for those practices who have an eye paneliist or ortho specilist on staff, you get blank looks when asking about health testing from the recetionists, nothign on osters.  Not surprising that Joe Bloggs mating flossie thinks a vet check is enough.

I asked one practice why there was no info, because there wasn't much call for it. 

I did suggest that for education purposes alone so that people would know what their pups parents should have had. 

No enthusiasm, one said by then they already had their pup.

I still have trouble with persuading them to include my dogs KC registered names on records

> xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Interesting point - I wonder what they will say if I ask them?

They should refer you to the nearest eye panelist, some large practices have the nearest panelist hold monthly sessions.