Submit Screening Results

This is an initiative  by the Irish Wolfhound Health Group whereby owners and breeders can, if  they wish, publish the heart screening results of their hounds. It is open to all owners who have screened their hounds using a qualified Veterinary Cardiovascular Society cardiologist using three stage screening comprising:

  • auscultation (stethoscope)
  • electrocardiography (ECG)
  • echocardiography (ultrasound scan)

On completion of screening you receive a Veterinary Certificate of Heart Testing signed by the cardiologist with information about your dog’s heart rate and rhythm, the presence or absence of any heart murmur, the results of ECG and ultrasound. The certificate can be interpreted as follows:

  • NORMAL ­ the dog is clear of any abnormal heart defects at the date of the test and would be acceptable to breed from. It is recommended that breeders test their dogs annually to monitor continued heart function.
  • EQUIVOCAL ­ a recommendation to re­test in six months would fall into the category of an ‘equivocal’ reading. It does not necessarily mean that there is a heart problem but may be an anomaly that wil disappear at the next test and the result be clear. A recommendation to re­test in six months monitors the situation to ensure that nothing more worrying is developing.
  • ABNORMAL ­ an abnormal heart reading may be anything from a minor disruption to the normal heart function through to more serious problems such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). It is recommended that dogs with this reading are not bred from.

If at the time of screening the cardiologist has serious concerns about the health of the dog, the owner will be advised to take the dog to their own vet as soon as possible for examination and potential referral to a specialist.

    Gender

    Status of dog

    ECG result

    Ultrasound result