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HEALTH OF THE FLATCOATED RETRIEVER IN THE 21ST CENTURY The Health Sub-Committee was formed to monitor the health status of the Flatcoated Retriever and to offer advice and general support in times of crisis to members and non-members and at all times to maintain strict confidentiality. 2007 has seen the introduction of the " Brenda Phillips Memorial ‘Health Fund"’ which is to be kept and maintained within the Society, and this fund will be used to encompass all diseases that affect the Flatcoated Retriever and which need further investigation.
The storage of blood at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) for DNA research is now firmly established, and the Health Sub-Committee would like to thank members/non-members for their continued support of this important project, and to remind owners that this is ongoing down the generations and that in the future it will be of particular help in identifying some hereditary diseases in the Flatcoated Retriever. Not only is blood required from healthy dogs/bitches, but also the AHT would appreciate blood from the older Flatcoated Retriever. If unfortunately your Flatcoat is diagnosed with a serious illness the AHT would appreciate blood being taken and sent to them, if not already in storage. Complete the Submission Form (click here) to accompany the blood sample. Your Vet should forward these together with copies of a 5 generation pedigree and health records to Dr. Cathryn Mellersh at the address shown on the form. If your dog/bitch has blood already stored, but develops a serious condition, please update the AHT on Form 2H (click here). The AHT is at the present time collaborating with Cambridge Oncology Department in their use of requested DNA from Flatcoats, and also with The Ostrander Laboratory with their research into the cause of malignant histiocytosis in the Flatcoated Retriever. Jane Alexander Vet.Med.Cert.,B.A., MRCVS., is still collating information on orthopaedic conditions (particularly patella luxation) being seen in under 18 month old Flatcoats, and the Health Sub-Committee would like to encourage owners whose dog/bitch has had corrective surgery for any orthopaedic condition to send all diagnostic reports and a copy of a 5 generation pedigree to her. The recommendation of the Health Sub-Committee is for all stock to be examined for PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), HC (hereditary cataract), and G (goniodysgenesis) by a BVA recommended ophthalmologist. Hips x-rayed and scored under the BVA/KC Scheme and results taken into account before embarking on a breeding programme. It should be noted that if your dog/bitch fails an eye examination any appeal against the results must be lodged in writing with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) within 30 days of the examination. Leaflets on ‘Hereditary Eye Disease in Dogs’, ‘Hip Dysplasia in Dogs’, ‘The BVA/KC Scoring Scheme for Control of Hip Dysplasia: Interpretation of Criteria’ and ‘Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs – a New Scheme Explained’ are all available from the BVA/KC Canine Health Schemes, 7 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NQ. Tel: 020 7636 6541. Val Jones - June 2007 |
