A DNA test is offered for this condition by DOGenes http://www.dogenes.com/.

To safeguard the breed for the future regarding Renal Dysplasia, and to cover the possibilitiy that there may be, as yet, other undiscovered genetic factors involved, an arrangement has been made with the Animal Health Trust (AHT) for the banking of DNA from UK bred Flatcoats affected/thought to be affected with Renal Dysplasia.

If you should be in the unfortunate position to have a Flatcoat diagnosed with this condition (any age) for further information and a DNA kit please contact Val Jones either by email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone 01566 772787.

The cost of this DNA banking at the AHT is being met by the Flatcoated Retriever Society.

At the recent breed health seminar orthopaedic specialist Richard Whitelock from Davies Veterinary Specialists delivered two lectures; one on conditions of growing dogs and the other on patellar luxation.  Further information on canine hip and elbow dysplasia can be found within the orthopaedic factsheets on the Davies Veterinary Specialists website: http://vetspecialists.co.uk/pet_owners/factsheets.html.  Richard will be expanding the fact sheet on patellar luxation to summarise his lecture in due course.

At the end of the Health Seminar the day concluded with a brief summary by David Gould, BSc(Hons) BVM&S PhD DVOphthal DipECVO MRCVS, one of the attending BVA eye panellists who were re-examining Flatcoat eyes for G to see if there was any change in the drainage angle over time (the others in attendance were Ian Mason MA VetMB CertVOphthal MRCVS and Bev Cottrell MA VetMB CertVOpththal MRCVS).  In some dogs it appeared that there seemed to be a significant change, but it was strongly emphasised that the significance of these changes is, as yet, unknown, and the findings have to be fully analysed before any definite conclusions can be drawn and will be discussed at the panellists' next meeting at the end of the year.  An update will be made when more is known.