TESTING OUR MASTIFFS
The diseases shown below are those for which your Mastiff needs to be
tested. As you will wish to be a responsible breeder or owner, it is strongly
recommended you have these tests performed on your Mastiff. It is especially
important that your Mastiff have these clearances if you are considering
breeding your dog or bitch. Many responsible stud dog owners will not even
consider breeding your bitch to their stud dog unless you can show that you
have had certain tests done. The choice to have testing done or not done is
yours; the wise choice for the Mastiff breed is to test!!
To read more about testing and where to send for certification...click on the Disease name.
CYSTINURIA
Cystinuria: an abnormal excretion of a substance (cystine) in the urine.
ELBOWS
Elbow dysplasia: an abnormal development of the elbow joint.
EYES
Corneal dystrophy: an abnormality of the cornea usually characterized by shallow pits in the surface.
Ectropion: an abnormal rolling out of the eyelids.
Entropion: an abnormal rolling in of the eyelid.
Persistent pupillary membrane: a developmental abnormality where the membrane forming the iris does not form properly.
Progressive retinal atrophy: a disease where the retina slowly deteriorates, producing night blindness.
Retinal dysplasia: a condition where the retina is malformed.
HEART
Cardiac valvular disease: weakness of heart valves producing heart murmurs and leading to cardiac failure.
Cardiomyopathy: a disease of weakened heart muscles. Common in giant breeds.
HIPS
Hip dysplasia: a developmental malformation or subluxation of the hip joints.
PATELLA
Patella luxation: a condition where the knee caps slide in and out of place.
THYROID
Hypothyroidism: a common endocrine disease where the body produces an abnormally low amount of thyroid hormones. An autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland which affects more than 50 dog breeds.
von WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE
von Willebrand's disease: a type of bleeding disorder caused by defective blood platelet function. Occurs in 59 dog breeds but most often in Doberman pinschers. An autosomal trait affecting both sexes.
For information concerning Awards for testing contact:
Deb Jones
5951 Huntingtown Rd
Huntingtown, MD 20639
Phone: (410) 257-9033
djones@devinefarm.net
Please email me if any of the links do not work. Thank you.
Email: tazz622@earthlink.net
