I have another big pile of heart testing certificates that need to be added to the database. These are from the Club Show sessions held earlier in the year and also a significant number from dogs tested privately. There continues to be many dogs being tested that I haven’t heard of; which means that the ‘pet’ breeders are coming on board with testing, which is very positive. I also get regular emails from people that I don’t know (as well as the show community) asking for details of a nearby cardiologist / advice about heart testing, as well as other health related matters. The number of emails seems to be increasing significantly. I plan for the heart database to be updated over the summer and get the clear / doppler innocent results out by the next meeting.
I continue to promote the importance of having low grade murmurs explored and not presuming that they are nothing to worry about. Whilst many low grade murmurs are innocent, unfortunately this isn’t always the case. This year we have had a number of dogs go for a doppler test having been graded during auscultation. Some were found to have an innocent murmur and in others, disease was detected. We have had new case of both Pulmonic Stenosis and Mitral Valve Disease.
As far as I am aware, no more Breed Clubs are looking at running a group testing session this year. There is very much a demand, so can I urge everyone to have a think about if they can support next year? I am happy to help with this and can co-ordinate offers to make sure we don’t have too many close together / not spread across the country. If your club are happy to host, please do let me know.
Earlier in 2025 the findings of the Population Analysis focus groups had to be fed back to the KC. I submitted ours in December, but I think February ended up being the closing date. They were then putting together several breeds into groups to discuss further. We have yet to be put into a group / invited for further discussion.
Money I have raised from the online draws has so far paid for the database to be updated (with some in reserve) and no donations have had to be drawn upon. I am keen that we continue to grow the fund for when it is required. I have not had enough doppler test results to think about reapproaching the KC with regards the further research / work they suggested could be a possibility.
Jo Whitehead
From the minutes:
Midland Whippet Club have offered to put one on at their October show but this will be dependent on both a room and a cardiologist being available.
Population Analysis feedback was given to The Kennel Club and Jo awaits being allocated to a group by them for further discussion/information. Jo offered to provide an article for the website on when breeding goes wrong from a health point of view. There is an increase in emails received by from Whippet owners asking for advice. The RKC require more data from Whippets that have been found to have had a murmur via auscultation and then have been followed up by Doppler giving a diagnosis of what the problem is if the murmur is not innocent. Jo does not always receive this follow up information and it is this data that is required by RKC.. George Poole reported that a Whippet Racing Club in Ayrshire were organising a heart testing session which is seen as really positive and Katie Manners reported that Luca Ferasin (cardiologist) had an Auscultation and Doppler clinic on 26th July in Hampshire. The NWA Sarah Pirie Heart Fund will subsidise Doppler testing by £100 for any Whippet that requires this.