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Kitaco Health Testing

Although we include the Dogs NZ Accredited Breeder health tests in our testing regime, we find them insufficient to provide a complete picture of the health of our breeding dogs and their progeny.

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This is the complete list of tests we undertake:

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Breeding dogs

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  • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Hydrocephalus

  • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Cryptorchidism

  • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Patella Luxation

  • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Cardiac

  • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Temperament

  • ​Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Hip Displaysia

  • Annual Patella Luxation certificate (required by the the Dogs NZ Accredited Breeder Scheme)

  • Annual Cardiac certificate (required by the the Dogs NZ Accredited Breeder Scheme)

  • Annual specialist Eye certificate (required by the the Dogs NZ Accredited Breeder Scheme)

  • Hip Scoring under general anaesthetic to screen for hip dysplasia and Legg-Calve Perthes disease

  • DNA Screening for:

    • Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) & Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
      Affected dogs are prone to a type of disc degeneration called chondroid metaplasia, where the intervertebral discs in the spinal column become dried out, hardened and calcified at an early age. The discs are then less able to flex with movement, and more prone to bulging or rupture.  The calcified inner disc material puts pressure on the spinal cord, causing pain and damage to the nerves running through the spinal cord.  Severe pain to paralysis can occur, as well as inability to urinate or defaecate, and disc ruptures in the neck can cause respiratory paralysis and death.​

    • Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia
      Black hair follicular dysplasia (BHFD) is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and is a type of alopecia (hair loss) that only affects areas of black fur. It is seen in bicolour and tricolour dogs. Pups are born normally, but may show a dulling of the normal dark, glossy black hair. With time black hairs become brittle and break easily. Black hair fails to grow, and skin can become scaly. It is thought that BHFD may be related to the condition “colour dilution alopecia”, in which hair loss is seen in colour dilute animals (e.g. blue and fawn dogs) and affected animals should not be used for breeding. 

    • Congenital Macrothrombocytopenia
      Canine Macrothrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by oversized platelets and a low platelet count. The name is derived from words macro (large) and thrombocyte (platelets). Canine Macrothrombocytopenia is characterized by abnormalities in size and count of platelets. Platelets in affected dogs function normally, and affected dogs do not show any health problems or prolonged bleeding time. The current hypothesis is that there may be a relationship between the serotonin carried by blood platelets through the vascular system to various organs, particularly the pancreas, the kidneys, the liver, the central nervous system, and the mitral valves of the heart, all causing scarring of and other damage to the tissues of these organs.

    • Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration (prcd) - PRA
      PRA is characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina, causing progressive vision loss culminating in blindness. The condition in nearly all breeds is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. There is no treatment and dogs carrying this trait should not be bred from.

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Pups

  • 6 Weeks

    • First vaccination with check for heart, cryptorchid, hydrocephalus and patella issues

  • 8 Weeks

    • Pat Hastings' Puppy Puzzle construction and conformation assessment (independent external assessor)

  • 9 weeks

    • Wendy Volhard’s Puppy Aptitude Test (independent external assessor)

  • 10 Weeks​

    • Second vaccination

    • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Cryptorchidism

    • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Patella Luxation

    • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Cardiac

    • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Temperament

    • ​Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Hydrocephalus

  • 1 Year old​

    • ​Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Hip Displaysia

    • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Patella Luxation

    • Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) score assessment for Jaw Alignment

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