The Irish Wolfhound Health Group is delighted to inform you that we are in the process of introducing Regional Heart Testing throughout the UK.
This is an initiative designed to offer all wolfhound owners, be they pet, rescue or show dogs, regular heart screening at very accessible rates and at the same time provide valuable information for ongoing research into heart disease in IW carried out by Dr Serena Brownlie.
Dr. Brownlie has been conducting her research for many years and will continue to do so by attending breed club shows and occasional weekends at breeders' premises. The main areas of concern are AF (Atrial Fibrillation) and DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) and how they are inherited. For this we need to be testing far more dogs and on a yearly basis to build a more complete picture. In particular we need to be seeing the older dogs with healthy hearts.
The screening is non invasive and includes a stethoscope examination, an ECG, (which requires your dog to lie on the floor), and an ultrasound scan, with the dog standing, (there is no need to shave the dog). All information provided and results are confidential and are forwarded to Dr Brownlie to add to the database. Certificates are provided for owners to give to their own vets and any dogs requiring further investigation/treatment are referred back to their own vets for onward referral. Payment is on the same basis as our current testing, which is the total cost of the day's screening shared between the number of dogs tested.
Regular Heart Testing is recommended as the check up is not a one off exercise - it confirms the state of the dog's heart at that particular time, but it cannot guarantee that the dog's heart will remain unaffected in the future. Also, if a condition is identified, then the earlier, the better, to help give the dog the best quality of life for the longest time.
So far, the UK has been split into 8 Regions: South West, South East, North West, North East, East Anglia, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland. Initially, we are conducting two weekend days a year, one each in the Spring and Autumn, where local wolfhound owners and breeders can book in their dogs that do not attend shows. In some areas these are already underway and we hope to have the remaining regions up and running before the end of 2008.
If you would like to receive information about Heart Testing sessions in your area, please email: Rebecca Peek at milkwoodhounds@yahoo.co.uk or call her on 01252 793257.
PLEASE SUPPORT REGIONAL HEART TESTING; IT IS THERE FOR YOU AND YOUR HOUNDS.
Details of Regional Heart Testing sessions in 2008
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The first Regional Heart Testing Day was for the South East and was held on Sunday 11th May, 2008 with Sheena Milne, (approved by Serena), North Downs Veterinary Group, Greyfriars Farm on the Hogs Back (A31), just off the A3 at Guildford.
The aim with all the Regional Heart Testing is to get to those dogs that are not going to be tested at shows, as well as offering a more convenient location and environment for those that are tested on a regular basis.
We are particularly keen to be testing older dogs, so if you have any veterans, (dogs that is!), we'd love to see them.
Rebecca Rebecca Peek
Milkwood Irish Wolfhounds
tel: +44 (0)1252 793257
milkwoodhounds@yahoo.co.uk