This week (15th November 2016) the Kennel Club announced it is launching an official heart scheme for Cavaliers. Undoubtedly this is good news, not least because centralising and making data about health tests open is helpful to both breeders and puppy buyers trying to do the responsible thing. However, the KC’s astonishingly upbeat proclamation that its scheme will “dramatically improve heart health in the breed” throws up more questions than it answers.
Kitty died at eight from MVD
The biggest is how a voluntary heart scheme can be as successful as a compulsory one. This new health initiative, we are told, will be based on the hugely successful Danish model. This has seen the risk of Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) in Cavaliers plummet by a mightily impressive 73 per cent. What the KC’s announcement fails to mention is the Danish version is mandatory.
UK breeders have form when it comes to not health testing and following guidelines voluntarily. That fewer than 400 MRI scans have been submitted to the official Syringomyelia (SM) scheme in over four years speaks volumes. Likewise, when recently writing to the Veterinary Times declaring the sooner a Cavalier heart scheme becomes compulsory “the better”, top cardiologist Simon Swift revealed that only four per cent of litters followed current heart breeding guidelines.
The KC’s press release explains that in December Dr Lisbeth Hoier Olsen, who co-developed the heart scheme at the University of Copenhagen, will be in this country to train UK veterinary cardiologists on how to perform the examinations. It goes on to say that the results will be recorded on disk and sent to Copenhagen to be assessed, following which the University will issue a certificate.
To the layperson, it seems rather complicated, especially as there is already a sound, although underused, scheme run by the UK Cavalier Club. Surely this could have simply been adopted by the KC? And how will the small team in Denmark cope when, all being well, breeders come forward in huge numbers to have their Cavaliers tested? Unless, of course, the KC anticipates that this scheme, like that for CM/SM, could be widely boycotted.
There is absolutely no mention of what the breeding guidelines will be. Will it simply follow what happens in Denmark? And will the costs be similar to those incurred by Danish breeders – around £200? Within minutes of the announcement social media was awash with comments from breeders bemoaning the financial outlay as unaffordable and predicting such a scheme would mean an end to genetic diversity. If this sounds familiar these are both favourites from the Cavalier Breeders’ Book Of Excuses For Not Health Testing.
The other glaring omission in the announcement – made days before the start of the KC’s National Canine Health Testing Week – is an actual start date. Given that the KC first agreed to launch a heart scheme in 2008, we should be forgiven for fearing it could be months and even years before this perky press release becomes a reality.
Poppy was bred by a highly successful show breeder. She had many serious health issues but MVD took her life earlier this year. She was just six years old
Since 2008 there have been many impressive- and reassuring-sounding statements and initiatives but very little concrete action to help Cavaliers stave off the brutal attack they find themselves facing from inherited disease. During this time, life expectancy for the breed has continued to fall and MVD remains rampant.
This week’s announcement could represent significant progress but all those who truly care about Cavaliers must maintain the pressure on the Kennel Club to make sure this scheme is the best is can possibly be and that it becomes a reality – not merely a good news story to pacify critics and timed for maximum PR benefit.
Over 28,000 dog lovers have signed a petition asking that health testing for Cavaliers becomes mandatory. If you haven’t already, add your voice and help fight the heartbreak of inherited disease.