[Bridget Bodine]

The show people advocate ECHOcardiogram testing for all breeding stock. They say there is a problem with hearts in the breed.
Please comment if you have had or know of anyone that ever has ever lost a LABRADOR to heart issues. Please post about unconfirmed issues also.

 

[Beverly Burns]

We lost our Lab, Firebird Ivan this past summer to an apparent heart attack. He had his evening meal, showed no signs of any illness or discomfort, and died in his crate a half hour later. We did not have an autopsy seeing as how he had not been in the breeding stock and it wouldn't have brought him back. Our vet suspected a heart issue. We also have Goldens and part of the clearance process is board certified cardiologist exam and an OFA number. Why not get heart clearances for Labs? Especially ones that are bred many times. Just a thought.

 

[ErinsEdge]

But does an OFA cardiac in a Lab prove the sire or dam does not pass a heart problem? That is the question. I believe this is one for DNA, thinking tricuspid dysplasia. Now in Goldens it may be different.

 

[Bridget Bodine]

Beverly I am sorry you lost your guy! How old was he? Your question about why not test is part of the reason for this post. Field people don't even mention it as one of our clearances...
The debate in the show world is an auscalation (good enough for OFA) sufficient to tell or do you need an ECHO?

 

[Bridget Bodine]

Nancy There is not a DNA test, and they are thinking that the TVD mode of inheritance is Dominant w/ incomplete penetrance (sp?) . So even if you test clear , they can still produce it.
My bigger question is how come field people don't even mention it? Is there no issue there or do people not know there is an issue?

 

[ErinsEdge]

Nancy There is not a DNA test, and they are thinking that the TVD mode of inheritance is Dominant w/ incomplete penetrance (sp?) . So even if you test clear , they can still produce it.
My bigger question is how come field people don't even mention it? Is there no issue there or do people not know there is an issue?

My understanding is there was some work being done on a DNA test. I personally in 30+ years have only heart of one confirmed by echo. For me not inheritable enough to test for.

 

[Bridget Bodine]

Dr Meg Sleeper at Penn State ( I am pretty sure) is doing research. But I do not think it is close to DNA , supposedly , they thought they were there but found out they were wrong.
I am not testing for the same reason . I have had 0-2 litters per year , for close to 18 years and never had a buyer tell me about an issue. IF the test were a more reliable indicator I might be more inclined.
Is it just a case of BAD sh!t luck? Sometimes in life you get the short stick...

 

[Guest]

But does an OFA cardiac in a Lab prove the sire or dam does not pass a heart problem? That is the question. I believe this is one for DNA, thinking tricuspid dysplasia. Now in Goldens it may be different.

For us it is SAS (subaortic stenosis). It is more generally detected in our conformation lines. I can't think of any of our field dogs that have been tested that were founded to be affected by it.

Bev, I didn't know about your guy. So sorry.

 

[ErinsEdge]

Dr Meg Sleeper at Penn State ( I am pretty sure) is doing research. But I do not think it is close to DNA , supposedly , they thought they were there but found out they were wrong.
I am not testing for the same reason . I have had 0-2 litters per year , for close to 18 years and never had a buyer tell me about an issue. IF the test were a more reliable indicator I might be more inclined.
Is it just a case of BAD sh!t luck? Sometimes in life you get the short stick...

These are the places I saw it. http://www.thelabradorclub.com/uploads/file/valvedysplasia.pdf

http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health...se-information/tricuspid-valve-dysplasia.html

http://www.akcchf.org/research/funded-research/1151.html

 

[Bridget Bodine]

Thanks for the links Nancy

 

[wheelhorse]

I have a lab from field trial lines that has both tricuspid valve as well as mitral valve dysplasia. Fortunately, it is mild enough it hasn't affected her.

Blew my mind when I took her to a cardiac clinic because field lines aren't supposed to have it.

It's there.

 

[Billie]

I knew of a dog(show-english import..) who produced TVD, he was the 90 or early 2000's I believe.Nice running show bred boy,he was. Bred alot and was prominant in the gene pool.
I have been testing my breedign stock for years. Did echos before and now I just do the auscultations,but if there was a murmur found I'd go with the Echo to rule it out.
Had a FC sired bitch I bought, who i tested, with echo. and she did have TVD. Has never had any symptoms though, as I 'm told.

 

[windycanyon]

I've done at least Auscultation on all my girls here -- 6 generations worth now (11+ labs). Show / field blends in my household. Never had even a murmur... but I still do it. When I heard the one girl had a grandfather w/ suspected issues behind her, I opted for the Echo there. She is normal.

I am not ready to go out and test everyone here w/ Echo since I'm breeding to mostly Echo clear dogs now (and have the afore mentioned history in my lines of no issues), but the old adage comes back to haunt me.... the reason we have these things checked is because we don't WANT a problem in our breeding programs. So though I agree, a DNA test would be ideal, but in the meantime, we need to do something....

 

[wheelhorse]

. So though I agree, a DNA test would be ideal, but in the meantime, we need to do something....

There won't be a definative DNA test- too many modifying genes, kind of like hip dysplasia.

Problem with only doing auscultation is you can have TVD with out hearing a murmur. Like my girl.

 

[windycanyon]

There won't be a definative DNA test- too many modifying genes, kind of like hip dysplasia.

Problem with only doing auscultation is you can have TVD with out hearing a murmur. Like my girl.

So are you going to tell us the lines.... so we can be aware???

 

[wheelhorse]

So are you going to tell us the lines.... so we can be aware???

It's everywhere, kind of like hip dysplasia. All you can do is screen for it, but realize that it will rear its ugly head when you least expect it.

There is a facebook page that is dedicated to TVD in Labradors that has info it: http://www.facebook.com/groups/TVDinLabs/

I think you need to be invited to join though.

However, it is like the 800 lb gorilla in the room. We all know it is there, but it is never discussed in polite company :-(

 

[kona's mom]

Billie can you share with us who the import was

 

[luvalab]

It's everywhere, kind of like hip dysplasia. All you can do is screen for it, but realize that it will rear its ugly head when you least expect it.

There is a facebook page that is dedicated to TVD in Labradors that has info it: http://www.facebook.com/groups/TVDinLabs/

I think you need to be invited to join though.

However, it is like the 800 lb gorilla in the room. We all know it is there, but it is never discussed in polite company :-(

So, I'm torn here--

In my own little mind, hope for discussion, because it's interesting to me and politeness is overrated?

Or (again, in my own little mind) agree that discussion is impolite, and should not happen in casual company, because there is no definitive method to determine who is--or if there is such a thing as?--a carrier.

I seriously don't know.

napkins-by-the-computer-with-crazy-stud/line-notes-regards,

 

[windycanyon]

I'm well aware of it. I'm on the FB page. For the folks who have had the "gorilla" beat them over the head, I sympathize, but I'm not convinced it's comparable (incident wise) to hip dysplasia. There seem to be a few major players contributing, and as long as no one will talk, we'll get nowhere.

It's everywhere, kind of like hip dysplasia. All you can do is screen for it, but realize that it will rear its ugly head when you least expect it.

There is a facebook page that is dedicated to TVD in Labradors that has info it: http://www.facebook.com/groups/TVDinLabs/

I think you need to be invited to join though.

However, it is like the 800 lb gorilla in the room. We all know it is there, but it is never discussed in polite company :-(

 

[Mike Sale]

Had a mother and daughter with TVD. Never knew anything about it, until i started testing the daughter at 2yrs and found the murmur.