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Ann's  Standard  Poodles

Health Testing

Our dogs are screened and cleared of the following. 

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. Onset is usually between 7 and 14 years, and usually begins with a loss of coordination in the hind limbs. 

Progression of the disease is generally slow but highly variable. An affected dog may survive up to three years or more. Eventually cranial nerve and/or respiratory muscle involvement necessitates euthanasia. 

Vetnostic Laboratories' genetic tests for Degenerative Myelopathy can reliably identify dogs that are either clear, or possess one or two copies of the DM causing gene. This clear, carrier, or affected result can help breeders determine which animals to include in their breeding program.

Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE) is a fatal disease of the brain in newborn Standard Poodles. Affected pups are weak, uncoordinated, and mentally dull from birth. If they survive the first few days, their growth may be stunted. When normal puppies in the litter start walking, some pups with NE cannot stand at all and others struggle to their feet with jerky steps, falling frequently. Seizures develop in most at 4-5 weeks, and the puppies die or are euthanized before they reach weaning age. 

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VetNostic Laboratories’ genetic test for NE can reliably identify dogs that are either clear, or possess one or two copies of the NE causing gene. This clear, carrier, or affected result can help breeders determine which animals to include in their breeding program.

von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is the most commonly inherited bleeding disorder in dogs and has been reported in over 50 breeds, but it is most prevalent in the Corgi, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Shetland Sheepdog and Standard Poodle. It is caused by a deficiency in the amount of a certain protein called von Willebrand factor, or vWF. vWF’s main function is to transport and bind coagulation factor VIII to injured blood vessels. The ‘type’ of vWD is partly determined by the amount of vWF in the blood. Type I is the most mild form and has been observed in the most breeds. Dogs with this type still produce vWF at varying degrees. Some possess enough that they may never be diagnosed, while others produce so little that they may suffer disproportionate bleeding following: injury, spaying/ neutering, ear cropping, tail docking. Type II is a very rare form found primarily in the German Shorthaired and German Wirehaired Pointers. Dogs with this type still produce vWF, but there are structural abnormalities that affect its function, and lead to more severe bleeding episodes. Type III is the most severe form of vWD, and is found primarily in the Shetland Sheepdog and Scottish Terrier. Dogs with this type produce virtually no vWF, and will usually have several bleeding episodes before reaching adulthood. 

VetNostic Laboratories’ genetic tests for von Willebrand Disease can reliably identify dogs that are either clear, or possess one or two copies of the vWD causing gene. This clear, carrier, or affected result can help breeders determine which animals to include in their breeding program.

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