Testing for heart problems

[BRBarnes]

I have read several different things about when and where you should test a puppy for any heart problems. When do you test your puppies before going home with their families for any heart problems? At what week and do they need to go to a special facility? Thanks!

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

The optimum time to cardiac test pups is 9-10 wks old when the heart is mature enough to get accurately tested. My pups go to their new homes between 10 and 11 wks after their cardiac heart checks.

 

[Sun Valley]

Hi,

Most breeder's check puppies between 9-10 weeks old...some breeders may wait a few extra weeks longer.

We take the litter to a Cardiologist's office.

Lou Ann

 

[R Taft]

The optimum time to cardiac test pups is 9-10 wks old when the heart is mature enough to get accurately tested. My pups go to their new homes between 10 and 11 wks after their cardiac heart checks.

That is what happens with our breeder and we have another appointment at six months to go to.........

 

[Ginny]

A board certified cardiologist is your best bet. The later you screen, the better your chance of picking up a murmur which could be life threatening. Pups should be rechecked by a cardiologist at, or over, a year of age to rule out SAS, which is developmental. It usually develops in the first year so your chances are pretty good of having a clear dog if he/she is clear then.

 

[janices]

A board certified cardiologist is your best bet. The later you screen, the better your chance of picking up a murmur which could be life threatening. Pups should be rechecked by a cardiologist at, or over, a year of age to rule out SAS, which is developmental. It usually develops in the first year so your chances are pretty good of having a clear dog if he/she is clear then.

Well, not if you just check by auscultation. Auscultation alone may not pick up trivial heart problem. To really clear should be echo'g. Trivial SAS commonly has subtle Grade 1-2 heart murmurs associated with cardiac flow abnormalities that are difficult to detect, making the condition difficult to diagnose. Going to have to echo to try to find any abnormalities that are suspect.

 

[Ginny]

No need to tout the value of echos to me, but a good cardiologist should hear a Grade 1 or 2 and I've first hand experience with echos being misread. SAS can be missed on an echo if the transducer isn't parallel to the aortic valve...

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

a good cardiologist should hear a Grade 1 or 2

I agree.

 

[janices]

There's a margin of error depending on the skill of the cardiologist but the after 1 yr clearance should be a complete one and not just depend on auscultation to clear. At least breeding sires and bitches should be complete clearances. Pets auscultation should be sufficient. Just me, for my own information I would rather have all my offspring checked complete clearances.