Information about health
VCA Home

Lynda Ruffini
Chair, VCA Health Committee
P.O. Box 551
Moravia, NY 13118
(315) 497-1413
wldwing@verizon.net

See also the VCA Welfare Foundation

Health Resources
AKC Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
CHIC Vizsla factsheet
CHIC Health Survey
Orthopedic Foundation of Animals

Find a Health Clinic-- CERF, Cardiac, DNA, Thyroid, Microchip


RESOLUTION
- The Vizsla Club of America calls for breeding stock to be radiographed and specifies that no dog or bitch with the slightest evidence of hip dysplasia be used for breeding purposes.  In keeping with this resolution, the Vizsla News will not accept ads from any Vizsla as breeding stock that does not have an OFA number.  Ads for litters of puppies will not be accepted unless the sire and dam had OFA numbers at the time of breeding.  Complete OFA numbers must be sent in with each ad request and will be printed in full.  OFA requirements do not apply to dogs appearing in news articles.  Instructions for OFA diagnosis may be obtained for a fee from the
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
2300 E. Nifong Blvd.
Columbia, MO   65201-3856
(573) 442-0418

RESOLUTION - The officers and board of directors of  The Vizsla Club of America, Inc., in cognizance of their respective responsibilities to protect the breed and foster its development, do hereby condemn the breeding of dogs with serious genetic defects including: epilepsy, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy). Von Willebrand's Disease, entropian and cranial muscular atrophy.  (Please note: tests for PRA and Von Willebrand's Disease are available.  Please discuss this with your veterinarian.)

RESOLUTION - The officers and board of directors of  The Vizsla Club of America, Inc., in cognizance of their respective responsibilities to protect the breed and foster its development, do hereby condemn crossbreeding of purebred Vizslas and falsification of registration documents.  All person's following the Vizsla fancy are enjoined to subscribe to this ethic in the best interest of the breed.

VIZSLA BREED HEALTH SURVEY
coming soon in 2008

LYMPHOSARCOMA HEALTH STUDY
In 1996, the VCA and an organization called The Magyar Vizsla Society - which is building a DNA registry for the breed - combined their efforts on the health front in a project to collect blood samples from Vizslas diagnosed with Lymphosarcoma.  If your dog has been diagnosed with this disease, please contact:  Sue Boggs, 3275 Eddie Rd., Winnebago, IL.  61088, phone: 815-335-3510, email: snowridge_vizslas@yahoo.com for instructions on how to participate in this most important project.

You can click here for further instructions on the Lymphosarcoma Health Study Project including submission information and forms to download.

VIZSLA EPILEPSY RESEARCH PROJECT
In March of 1999, the AKC Canine Health Foundation awarded a grant of $57,500.00 to researchers at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine to study the molecular genetics of canine epilepsy in Vizslas. English Springer's and Beagles. The goal of the study is to identify a marker or gene for epilepsy and to develop a screening test to determine normal, carrier and affected status, thus allowing breeders the potential to eliminate epilepsy.

Read about Dr Ned Patterson's research on epilepsy-causing gene mutations at the University of Minnesota.
For more information about canine epilepsy: www.canine-epilepsy.net

The University of Minnesota has put together an information packet complete with instructions and forms which contain the following:
Consent form for participation in the "Vizsla Epilepsy Research Project"
Instructions for Blood and Tissue sample submission
Litter List
Litter Information
Individual Dog Questionnaire

To help determine possible links between epilepsy and other conditions, some questions on the forms ask about other diseases, conditions or characteristics. Please answer as accurately and completely as possible.

To request forms or if you have any questions about completing the forms or pedigrees, please call the Canine Genetics Lab at the University of Minnesota at (612) 625-5799; download instructions and submission forms in pdf format here .

Please mail submissions here:
Epilepsy Research Project
c/o Dr Ned Patterson DVM
Canine Genetics Lab
University of Minnesota
C339 VMC
1352 Boyd Ave, St. Paul MN 55108
ph: 612-625-5799