| Benfelds Boxers |
ARVC (Boxer Cardiomyopathy)
DNA Testing
Dr Kathryn Meurs at Washington State University has developed a DNA test for the ARVC gene in Boxers. We have been sending blood over for testing as it is available to everyone and something all breeders should be doing as a guide.
There are 3 possible results:
Negative: Not carrying either gene
Positive Heterozygous: Are carriers of an effected gene and one clear gene. They should be bred to negative dogs
Positive Homozygous: Both genes are effected and the dog should be removed from any breeding programs
This is a very new test as it was only released in April 2009 and we are in the process of testing all our dogs. We are not sure of the long term results from these tests as yet but any information is useful information. The ARVC DNA test should in no way replace yearly holter monitoring of our dogs.
24 Hour Holter Testing
Yearly holters should be conducted on all Boxers that are going to be used in a breeding program. A holter monitor records the dogs heartbeats over the 24 hour period. Holter testing should be used in conjunction with the ARVC DNA test to check for any signs of cardiomyopathy or ARVC. The report gives the number of Ventricular Premature Contractions (VPC's), ideally you would like 0 but up to 50 is acceptable as long as the VPC's are not in pairs or runs.
Sue Res of Suromar Boxers and I have jointly purchased a digital holter monitor to test our dogs and offer this monitor to any breeders who would like to test theirs.
Dr Kathryn Meurs at Washington State University has developed a DNA test for the ARVC gene in Boxers. We have been sending blood over for testing as it is available to everyone and something all breeders should be doing as a guide.
There are 3 possible results:
Negative: Not carrying either gene
Positive Heterozygous: Are carriers of an effected gene and one clear gene. They should be bred to negative dogs
Positive Homozygous: Both genes are effected and the dog should be removed from any breeding programs
This is a very new test as it was only released in April 2009 and we are in the process of testing all our dogs. We are not sure of the long term results from these tests as yet but any information is useful information. The ARVC DNA test should in no way replace yearly holter monitoring of our dogs.
24 Hour Holter Testing
Yearly holters should be conducted on all Boxers that are going to be used in a breeding program. A holter monitor records the dogs heartbeats over the 24 hour period. Holter testing should be used in conjunction with the ARVC DNA test to check for any signs of cardiomyopathy or ARVC. The report gives the number of Ventricular Premature Contractions (VPC's), ideally you would like 0 but up to 50 is acceptable as long as the VPC's are not in pairs or runs.
Sue Res of Suromar Boxers and I have jointly purchased a digital holter monitor to test our dogs and offer this monitor to any breeders who would like to test theirs.
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