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HEALTH NEWS FROM THE 2010 NATIONAL SPECIALTY

1. Please click HERE to open the  Report from Cardiac Clinic- PDF file.
 
Echo (CARDIAC) CLINIC SUMMARY. Approximately 53% of Great Danes examined screened normal: 47% had some form of cardiac abnormality. A variety of heart diseases and congenital cardiac problems were diagnosed with degenerative valvular disease & aortic stenosis representing the largest two categories. Most of the abnormalities found were newly diagnosed at this clinic. Only one definite case of DCM was diagnosed, probably due to the young age of most participants. However four males & two females had arrhythmias during the exam; this may represent early stage cardiomyopathy. Many of the abnormalities detected are diagnoses which would make it inadvisable for the dogs to be bred, and in several cases the information provided via early detection can have a positive impact on the individual dog's health. Owners were advised as to follow-ups recommendations on a written report provided by Dr. Tyrrell.

Please note: Confidentiality was maintained completely with this project. The table presenting the results of the echo clinic came directly from Dr. Tyrrell, the attending cardiologist "as is." That is, the GDCA received the charts just as presented: neither the volunteers at the echo clinic nor any members of the GDCA have access to the results of individual dogs, or know which dogs had positive findings. We deliberately chose not to break down the demographics in the more detailed report to avoid compromising anonymity. Brian January, Chmn, Health/Education, SC Division.


HEALTH NEWS FROM THE 2009 NATIONAL SPECIALTY
 

1. Please click HERE to open the  Report from Cardiac Clinic- PDF file.
 
CARDIAC CLINIC SUMMARY. Approximately 64% of Great Danes examined screened normal: 36% had some form of cardiac abnormality. A variety of heart diseases and congenital cardiac problems were diagnosed. Most of the abnormalities found were newly diagnosed at this clinic. Only one definite case of DCM was diagnosed, probably due to the young age of most participants.  However three additional males were equivocal for DCM & three males had arrhythmia during the exam; this may represent early stage cardiomyopathy. Many of the abnormalities detected are diagnoses which would make it inadvisable for the dogs to be bred, and in several cases the information provided via early detection can have a positive impact on the individual dog's health. Owners were advised as to follow-ups recommendations on a written report provided by Dr. Tyrrell.
 
Please note: Confidentiality was maintained completely with this project. The table presenting the results of the echo clinic came directly from Dr. Tyrrell, the attending cardiologist "as is." That is, the GDCA received the charts just as presented: neither the volunteers at the echo clinic nor any members of the GDCA have access to the results of individual dogs, or know which dogs had positive findings. We deliberately chose not to break down the demographics in the more detailed report to avoid compromising anonymity.   JP Yousha, Chmn., H&R Committee & Margaret Shappard, Chmn, Health/Education, SE Division.


HEALTH NEWS FROM THE 2008 NATIONAL SPECIALTY
 

1. Please click HERE to open the  Report from the Cardiac Clinic - PDF file.
 
Approximately 64% of Great Danes screened normal. 36% had some form of cardiac abnormality. Only one definite case of DCM was diagnosed, probably due to the young age of most participants. There were a variety of other heart diseases and congenital cardiac problems diagnosed. Most of the abnormalities found were newly diagnosed at this clinic. Two males had arrhythmia during the exam. This may represent early stage cardiomyopathy. Many of the abnormalities detected are diagnoses which would make it inadvisable for the dogs to be bred. Owners were advised as such on a written report provided by Dr. Tyrrell. Several additional, equivocal cases will require follow-up to determine if they progress into definite disease over the coming months.
 
Please note: Confidentiality was maintained completely with this project. The table presenting the results of the echo clinic came directly from Dr. Tyrrell, the attending cardiologist "as is." That is, the GDCA received it just as it's presented: neither the volunteers at the echo clinic nor any members of the GDCA have access to the results of individual dogs, or know which dogs had positive findings. We deliberately chose not to break down the demographics in my larger report because doing so might enable the reader to figure out who the affected dogs were.   Mary Anne Zanetos

2. Please click HERE to open the Blood Transfusion Presentation - Mary Anne Zanetos - In PDF format




Permission to reprint as submitted for educational purposes is given. 
Submitted by JP Yousha, Chair, H&W Committee, GDCA 2008

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