Page 43 - Chow Life - Summer 2016 Issue
P. 43
it does not show TPA or FAA. months. It can be confirmed by VERY difficult disease to manage
She concluded by stating that antemortem diagnosis, angiography, once it takes hold of a breed. Using
improving the predictive value or Echocardiography - looking for King Charles Cavalier Spaniels
translates into a non-invasive way elevated aortic velocity and the and an acquired disease such as
of diagnosing dogs predisposed laminar vs turbulent blood flow. MMVD which is inherited but not
to CCLD based on conformation Auscultation alone isn't enough; congenital as an example; he stated
factors, thus being able to eliminate echocardiography is the only that over 400 samples of KCS were
them from the breeding program. way to determine if a dog is truly tested and only 3 found to that were
I spoke with Dr. Griffon regarding abnormal or normal and he stresses normal.
chows and the angles or rather that poor screening can result in
the lack of angulation in the rear false "normal" but will NEVER All of the presentations given
leg and shared the belief by some result in false abnormal. The testing at the health conference where
that the straightness of the leg environment can influence accuracy informative, many with encouraging
could cause a predisposition to of cardiology assessment as well results for treatment options,
cruciate ligament rupture. She as the abilities of the examiner while at the same time they
replied that her studies did not or cardiologist; listening to deep stressed the need for breeders to
support that line of thinking. Dr. bodied dogs, with a heavy coat or be further dedicated to improving
Stern's presentation considered the breeds with upper respiratory noise the health of their breeds by
intersection of genetic mutations can be particularly challenging. utilizing the available test to assist
and cardiac disease; in congenital There is no treatment and the best in making sound choices and by
versus acquired, genetics can be prevention is to stop the affected removing affected animals from
a driving force for either. Cardiac from breeding....cardiac disease is breeding pools. The theme of one
disease is the number one cause species resonated throughout the
of unexplained, sudden highly inherited and conference as did the emphasis
death. Sub aortic that it's about the breed not the
stenosis is a breeders. Attending it was time
severe disease well spent and I look forward to
that results attending the next one.
in death at
an average
age of 19
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