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need to directly request specific health tests with vet, what do i ask for.

2K views 14 replies 6 participants last post by  x11 
#1 ·
i took my pup in for a full health test and medical, expecting to know his status for every common ailment in the breed - i told my vet i want it all tested by all meaning absolutely everything that can be tested to be tested, expecting a substantial bill and multiple follow ups analysing results etc - here is what happened - vet checked his ears, teeth, nuts, eyes, weight, joints, movement, prodde his tummy, listened to heart ... whole range of great stuff. sound good - NO thats NOT what i wanted, i want all the gentic defects relavant to the breed to be tested, clear communication between me and my vet, i am not even sure what specific tests to ask for apart from the obvious hips and elbows which will be done at 2yo what do you specifically ask a vet to do - the issues in the breed i know of are epilepsy, dm, hips elbows i am sure there are many more.

is there a list of defects and tests available i can refer my vet to, breed experienced guys please help out, i don't know what i don't know but am trying to do nothing but the absolute best for my dog.

btw, he is not sick, in perfect health according to the vet.

futher btw, i don't think it cool to bash vets, i respect and admire their skills and training (mine specialised in large animals not companion animals), i am just unable to communicate what i want tested.

advice appreciatted
 
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#2 ·
All I can think of is xrays on hips and elbows. Maybe tested for EPI, but other then that you can't test for cancer, which is a big one with any breed. You can also get a complete blood panel, but I wouldn't count on anything coming up there if the dog is healthy now. I think that the vet did what he was suppose to, there isn't many tests out there that can help you in your quest to find probably nothing. When my dog was sick, she was tested for heartworm, lyme, lepto, had a couple xrays and $1500 later they still couldn't figure out what was wrong.
 
#3 ·
The only thing I can think of that is worth doing are hip/elbow xrays, and you might as well do lower back too while you're there (lumbosacral disease is common in this breed-symptoms usually show at 5-7yoa-maybe xrays at 2yo would show the start of it)
DM test isn't very accurate, dogs that test negative end up getting it anyway.
 
#4 · (Edited)
thanks for comment and yes will skip the cancer test, EPI is??? hips/elbows obvious, DM??

yeah was not bagging my vet.

we are all told to be responsible owners etc and hear so much about the genetic defects in the breed i was trying to be pro-active.

this dog has been selected for breeding and i keep putting people off by saying that he has not been health certified - there is actually no such certification apparently?? other than the simple things i did and the vet deemed him of good temprement to boot???

maybe i am overthinking it booking him in at easter for hips/elbows and now EPI? as well and whatever else i can think of between now and then.

so we heard it a million times about the difference betwen a byb and an awesome breeder is the health testing - so is that just the few things mentioned here?, seems to easy. health certs are not the huge deal i thought they were, will keep researching tho.
 
#5 ·
There is a cancer screening test available. My dog, as well as many others on this board, were part of the study to help develop it:

Veterinary Diagnostics Institute

Also, what do you mean by the dog was selected for breeding? By whom? Getting hip/elbow xrays and other health screenings are a good start to determine if a dog is good for breeding, but definitely not the whole package.
 
#9 ·
#6 ·
my decoy is just out of millitary i had no intentions of breeding gsd's, my decoy likes him a lot and contacted his ex-boss and they seen him over a period of time and made me an offer and will use there best female. i put them off once but now they want a decision to be made. just feel out of my depth to make such a decision.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I would go to www.offa.org and see the genetic tests they list as relevant to the GSD but since most a recessives consider the female should have them to -- I do think it is a good idea but don't think most do them.

Canine Health Information Center: CHIC Information

Also brucellosis each breeding both partners I understand.

One thing that I DO DO is an annual CBC and Chem panel and have recently added tick titers (NC State offers and currently is running a discount to participating vets)--those are more general health things more than genetic screening. For the cancer screening - I would maybe wait until 5 or 6 because hemangio is not really showing up until then anyway I think....for the most part.

Whatever he needs done, she needs and if he wants to breed with your dog I think those would be very reasonable demands. {I don't know about all the optional tests}. As far as evaluating them for breedworthiness - well titles and koers help with all that but if not, I would consider talking with other folks around you .... it is "ok" to say no. All this testing is probably going to cost you more than a stud fee and you will wind up with a dog who is more keyed into the possibility of breeding. Why do they think this would be a great breeding? Assuming you got your dog from a breeder they may be the best resource to discuss the possibility as a mentor.
 
#14 ·
All this testing is probably going to cost you more than a stud fee .


absolutely no doubt, but i would do whatever health tests anyway just because i thought everyone did that breeding or not...evidently not the case???

Why do they think this would be a great breeding?

simply cos the dog has more balls and drive than what they been seeing in gsd's of late. i do not know the rationale for selecting the particular female.


Assuming you got your dog from a breeder they may be the best resource to discuss the possibility as a mentor.

to be honest the breeder is not so much of a ped nerd, i doubt he would know that much about the female's line, he does know his own line really well as he built it over 30 years - the peds kind of got lost along the way tho and replaced by what works in front of him.
thanks for info and links, i will use them.
 
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