HEALTH TESTS FOR BREEDING STOCK

People undertaking blood tests for the first time should consider doing a complete blood panel, thereby lowering overheads due to a single vet visit, single courier charge etc. As well, people may think about clubbing together and approaching a local vet for reduced-cost breeders' clinics at which numbers of dogs can have bloodwork done. The following health tests for breeding stock are recommended by the organisation Versatility In Poodles (VIP). We have adapted some material to bring it into alignment with local practices but have not excluded any of the conditions which are of concern to breeders in the USA.

STANDARD POODLES Hips for Hip Joint Dysplasia (HD) How: x-ray When: After 1st birthday for AVA/BVA Scheme. Where: Veterinary practices where radiographers are available, including university vet schools. Plates are forwarded to AVA Readers for analysis and scoring. Skin for Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) How: Two small skin biopsies done in the midline near the shoulders When: After the second birthday and annually thereafter Where: Your veterinarian can take the biopsies; these are then sent to a certified veterinary dermatopathologist Eyes for Juvenile Cataracts and the other 21 inherited eye abnormalities found in poodles such as entropion, ectropion, progressive retinal atrophy, etc. How: Eye examination When: At 6 months of age in a potential breeding dog an electroretinogram (ERG) may be done to rule out PRA. Otherwise an eye exam at 2 years and annually thereafter Where: By a veterinary ophthalmologist and at some university veterinary schools. There may be an "eye clinic" held in your area sponsored by the local poodle club. Von Willebrand's Disease (vWd) How: Cheek swab sample or blood test When: Anytime after birth for DNA Where: VETGEN for DNA, your own vet for blood test Blood for thyroid malfunction How: Blood sample When: Subsequent to sexual maturity in males and between heat cycles (12 to 16 weeks following onset of heat) in the female Where: Your vet will take the blood sample and send it to the lab for analysis Addison's Disease How: Blood test for sodium/potassium ratio as a screening test (suspicious for Addison's disease is a ratio of less than 27), ACTH stimulation test in all animals to be used for breeding or in suspected Addison's Disease When: After sexual maturity, during anestrus as noted for thyroid testing in females Where: Most veterinarians can do these tests and send them to a laboratory for analysis Juvenile Renal Disease How: Blood urea and creatinine determination and urine protein excretion When: After six months of age or earlier in some cases, this is a fatal disease in affected animals and should be done by breeders before sending puppies to their new homes, if possible Where: Your veterinarian can do these tests Bloat (Gastric dilation, torsion and intestinal volvulus) This condition is probably feared more than any other by Standard breeders. It is almost always fatal unless professional care is found very quickly. There is no test available to assess at-risk dogs. To date it has not been proven to be heritable, however knowledgeable breeders recommend that it be presumed to be heritable. Their current stance is: Do not breed with any poodle that has bloated or with any of that poodle's first degree relatives (ie. parent or sibling or progeny).

MINIATURE and TOY POODLES Hips for Hip Joint Dysplasia (HD) and Legg-Perthe's Disease How: x-ray When: After 1st birthday for AVA/BVA Scheme. Where: Veterinary practices where radiographers are available, including university vet schools. Plates are forwarded to AVA Readers for analysis and scoring Stifles for Patellar Luxation How: Palpation When: At 6 months of age Where: Your local veterinarian or orthopedic specialist can do this examination. NB: Some breeders are concerned about inexperienced vets undertaking this examination. See if your poodle club would consider regular clinics at which experienced breeders could assess youngsters, or if it would consider designating experienced breeders as a resource for members to consult with on an ad hoc basis. Eyes for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and the other 21 inherited eye abnormalities found in poodles such as juvenile cataracts, entropion, ectropion, etc. How: Eye examination When: At 6 months of age in a potential breeding dog an electroretinogram (ERG) may be done to rule out PRA. Otherwise an eye exam at 2 years and annually thereafter Where: By a veterinary ophthalmologist and at some university veterinary schools. There may be an "eye clinic" held in your area sponsored by the local poodle club. Von Willebrand's Disease (vWd) How: Cheek swab sample or blood test When: Anytime after birth for DNA Where: VETGEN for DNA, your own vet for blood test Blood for thyroid malfunction How: Blood sample When: Subsequent to sexual maturity in males and between heat cycles (12 to 16 weeks following onset of heat) in the female Where: Your vet will take the blood sample and send it to the lab for analysis

About VIP In 1992 a number of American poodle owners were at an Obedience event and met during the lunch break to eat and chat. The topic of health in their dogs came up and they were astounded to learn that of the 14 or so poodles in attendance that day, only one had no major health or temperament problem, and that one was still a puppy. Some had failed hip x-rays, a couple were sub-clinically SA Affected, several were epileptic, one was extremely dog aggressive, two were fearful of loud noises and men, one didn't like children, and it was noted that most of the dogs had more than one major problem. The great majority came from the kennels of well known breeders who were members of local Poodle Clubs as well as Poodle Club of America. After much discussion and planning, and gathering of like-minded people across the USA, goals were developed: Health, Education, Performance. It was felt that if enough buyers of puppies were adequately educated about what questions to ask breeders, and if they demanded to see the health test results for parents of potential puppy purchases, then the breeders would become better educated and would improve their breeding standards in order to sell their puppies. Many people contributed ideas and implemented them. An open membership policy was adopted and non-profit status was established with taxation officials. Membership was achieved with clubs and individuals around the world (Australia's Poodle Council was the first foreign member).

A large number of educational pamphlets was developed and produced; ads were taken in the AKC Gazette and Dog Fancy. Educational booths were set up at poodle shows and all breeds fixtures; seminars were given. Gradually the organisation received recognition in the canine media. And so it grew... VIP established a poodle DNA bank with extensive information on the pedigrees, health and temperament of dogs whose DNA samples are stored. Collection is ongoing. This material is made available for approved research projects. VIP was also a founding member of the Canine Health Foundation and has made substantial contributions towards research in sebaceous adenitis, eye diseases, Addison's disease, haematological diseases, and epilepsy. As a result of VIP's lobbying Standard poodles have been readmitted to hunt tests (retrieving), and they are now working towards Miniatures being accepted into flushing tests. The organisation promotes and encourages all performance activities and also conformation exhibition, Pets As Therapy and more. They also have a big involvement in breed rescue. Their website is amongst the best you will find for the breed and you can be sure that information is up to date and reliable for accuracy. You'll find their link on our Links page here at Poodles In Australia.