This is a Press Release from the Dobermann Breed Council Health Co-ordinator - if any Dobe people have trouble getting through to AOL and want a form I also have copies so feel free to [email kerioakdobes@btinternet.com]email[/email] me if you cannot get though to her

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Carol Smith DBC Health Co-ordinator writes: -

Dobermann Breed Council DCM Screening Programme.

Every Dobermann in this Country has been invited to apply to take part in a
National Screening Programme for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Liverpool University will be the Centre of administration headed by Nuala
Summerfield BSc BVM&S MRCVS Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology) Lecturer in Veterinary
Cardiology University of Liverpool
Co-ordinating with Jo Dukes-McKewan Senior Lec. Cardiology Glasgow Uni. DBC
nominated Cardiologist.

A structure for the programme has been formulated and you as pet
owners/breeders/exhibitors are invited to apply to "Show Interest" The more Dobermann
owners who do this, the better, as funding applications rely on the number of
owners interested. Funds are already in place and work continues to raise more
from many other sources. We have the backing of the very large drug companies and
this is encouraging in that we need to be able to sustain the programme for
as long as possible.

It is planned that your scans will be entirely free of charge or heavily
subsidised and will continue for however long the funds allow throughout the dogs
life. Individual results will be entirely confidential.

There will be 5 Cardiologists taking part Nationally, with the qualifications
to heart scan using the Echocardiography Doppler System. Appointments will be
made in the usual way between owner and Cardiologist in surgery time. The
Cardiologists taking part will be in reasonable travelling distance for most
owners. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bristol and Hertfordshire are being looked
at for these areas.

Only the 5 nominated Cardiologists can carry out the free screening programme
and the scanning will be done annually. I need you to apply for and complete
a form to register your interest. One form per Dobermann. When this
information is collated Liverpool University will then administer the whole project.
There will be no discrimination on the sex or colour or age or health of any
Dobermann except that the age limit is 1 year upwards. I need in excess of 200
Dobes to "Show Interest" countrywide.

This is a very exciting project for us all and is completely non invasive and
non confrontational. Individual results will remain confidential. When the
findings are published it is hoped to establish the mode of inheritance and the
type of inheritance and if indeed it is genetic or the course of this very
serious disease.
No pedigrees will be published.

I can provide you with more information on the programme and details will be
explained more fully at the Red October DCM Health day being held by the MDC.

RED OCTOBER DCM HEALTH DAY.
Tickets are still available for the Health Day to be held in Nottingham on
Sunday 26th October cost £15.00 inc. Refreshments and a two-course lunch.
Guest speakers are Jo Dukes McEwan and Nuala Summerfield on DCM and
demonstrations on ECG/Holter Monitors and Echocardiography on Dobermanns.
The DBC National Screening Programme will be explained more fully on this
day.

Contact for registration for Screening Programme and tickets for Red October
contact.
Carol Smith,
E mail REMESCA@aol.com