What Is Heart Testing?
Heart testing is vital as heart disease can be present from birth but also develop later in life.
Some breeds already have requirements for heart screening as heart disease is prevalent in the breed.
All heart screenings involve an examination and stethoscope test but can include echocardiography (Echo Doppler) or an ECG. Dog’s heart tests are graded from one to six.
The purpose of the test is to:
- Identify dogs free from cardiac abnormality
- Find the prevalence of heart murmurs, abnormal rhythms or breed-specific heart defects
- To confirm the cause of heart murmurs or abnormal rhythms through further investigate
- Collecting information for research on genetic elements and understanding heart conditions within different breeds.
- Advise owners, breeders and dog’s veterinary practice about any anomalies identified, and give recommendations about treatment or further investigation required.
Heart testing is regularly found in these breeds:
- Boxer
- Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Deerhound
- Doberman
- German Wirehaired Pointer
- Great Dane
- Irish Wolfhound
- Newfoundland
- Whippet.
Other breeds that should be tested are:
Bloodhound, Borzoi, Bullmastiff, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, German Longhaired Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Neapolitan Mastiff, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Rottweiler, St Bernard