Questions on reading health screening

[Bathel]

I am in the process of lookng for a new boxer puppy. The breeder we have talked to has provided a health screening results from the two parents of a boxer puppy we are interesing in. Can you give me your thought on the results ?

Parent 1:
ARVC: Positive Heterozygous
SAS: Clear
Echo Doppler: 1.6 flow rate.
OFA #: BX-CA1879/16M/C-VPI-ECHO.
Holter : 3/12/11 0 VPC's
Clear of CHD: PennHip .48 DI, no cavitation or degenerative joint disease either hip.
DM: At Risk

Parent 2:

ARVC: Positive Heterozygous
SAS: Clear
Echo Doppler: 1.85 flow rate
OFA #: BX-CA2217/49F/C-NOPI-ECHO.
Holter: 2/24/12 2 VPC's
Thyroid: Normal
DM: Carrier

 

[Draymia]

The ARVC and Holter tests are basically for the same thing. The ARVC test is a newer DNA test that is having mixed reviews mainly because it is not an end all test. More research is being done on that one. With good Holters I would not worry about it.

The SAS and Echo are also basically for the same thing, and both are good.

The Hip Dysplasia and Thyroid done on one each of the parents are good. I would not be overly concerned about the other parent not having these tests done. They are not on my "most important" test list. There are lots more important ones.

The final test is DM and is a newer test. I do feel it is important, but in Boxers, we have very few Clear dogs that have good results on their other tests, so an At Risk and Carrier being bred has a risk of producing puppies that "MAY" develop Degenerative Myelopathy. Research is ongoing as to why one At Risk Dog will develop DM and his At Risk sibling doesn't.

We, as ethical breeders do our best, but please remember that when dealing with living critters, just as with us humans, there are never any guarantees.

Overall, I would say this is a great Breeder who really cares about the Boxer breed.

 

[Bathel]

The ARVC and Holter tests are basically for the same thing. The ARVC test is a newer DNA test that is having mixed reviews mainly because it is not an end all test. More research is being done on that one. With good Holters I would not worry about it.

The SAS and Echo are also basically for the same thing, and both are good.

The Hip Dysplasia and Thyroid done on one each of the parents are good. I would not be overly concerned about the other parent not having these tests done. They are not on my "most important" test list. There are lots more important ones.

The final test is DM and is a newer test. I do feel it is important, but in Boxers, we have very few Clear dogs that have good results on their other tests, so an At Risk and Carrier being bred has a risk of producing puppies that "MAY" develop Degenerative Myelopathy. Research is ongoing as to why one At Risk Dog will develop DM and his At Risk sibling doesn't.

We, as ethical breeders do our best, but please remember that when dealing with living critters, just as with us humans, there are never any guarantees.

Overall, I would say this is a great Breeder who really cares about the Boxer breed.

Thank you... that was my feeling. I appricieate your thoughts.