sorry, i've found out about the eye tests and know where i'm going, its just the heart tests that are baffaling me, what do they do to the dog? and how can they tell if they cant really tell you with humans! i cant find any schemes, i went to the bva website, and only saw hip elbow and eye, so where do you get the heart certificates from to prove your dog is clear?? i am totaly confused acan annyone help please!

I would think that your breed club would be a good place to start.
http://www.thecavalierclub.co.uk/hearts/mvd.html

Heart-testing for aortic stenosis in Boxers is tested by ascultation (listening by stethascope)
to the dogs heart. This is done by a vet that specialises in cardiology.
In our breed we can have this done at breed shows as the breed clubs organise the heart-testing
sessions, this way the cost is kept lower than if you go into the vet surgery.
They grade the heart from 0-6, 0 being the best score.
In Boxers stock considered clear for breeding are those that grade 0 or 1.
If you have a dog/bitch that grades 2 or higher the vet will normally refer the dog for a dopplor
test, which is referred by your own vet on the advice of the cardiologist's testing sheet to your nearest cardiologist.
Once you have the test done the cardiologist will give a certificate giving the dogs grading and
if they need to be referred for further testing etc.
These forms come in 4 parts, 1 the testing vet keeps, 1 you keep, 1 a copy for your own vet to have and
the final one for the person that collates all the info for research, normally a person designated by the
breed council.
In Boxers they produce a booklet with all the KC names of the dogs who have scored 0 or 1's and dogs that
have been tested by dopplor and have cleared with this test. It is also reproduced on the website
address below.
If you want to read more about aortic stenosis go to the website www.boxerunderground.com/uk
Here there are various articles on hearts etc.

Hi Betty

Sorry to hijack your thread but you have given a brilliant opening for the different breeds :)

~~~~~~~~~~~

DOBERMANNS
In Dobermanns we are in the process of setting up a scheme which will involve Ultrasound (Doppler) testing and Holter Monitoring.  Currently we are registering Dobes for the scheme (which is free) and any owner of a Dobe over one year old is welcome (encouraged) to register their dog.  Dilated Cardiomyopathy is the biggest killer (along with cancer) of Dobermanns.  If you would like a form please contact me

The Midland Dobermann Club held a DCM Health Day in October 2003 and the South East of England D.C. has one planned for this October - details will be put in the Champdogs Diary as soon as they are finalised.

~~~~~

Christine,
Will be very interested in coming to the DCM health day in October
(hopefully won't clash with any shows we have quite a busy schedule in Oct)
As you are probably aware CM is an emerging problem within my breed (Boxer).
So you may get a few Boxer breeders/enthusiasts interested in coming too.

Kind Regards
Kirstine