So I'm heading to meet a breeder in a couple weeks, and so far everything she's told me has checked out and she seems like she knows what she's doing. There's just one thing..
She told me that hyperthyroidism isn't genetic, and that even a dog who tests clean for it could develop it later in life, and so she doesn't bother testing...but that only one of her dogs has ever had it, and the puppy I'd be getting isn't related (she's imported a few dogs and her lines sort of went in a new direction).
Anyway, I wanted to get some other opinions on the issue. I've heard that hyperthyroidism is an issue with rhodesian ridgebacks (which is what I'm getting), but everything I read sort of gives mixed explanations but I haven't found anything that discusses whether or not to test for it.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Quote: heather williams
So I'm heading to meet a breeder in a couple weeks, and so far everything she's told me has checked out and she seems like she knows what she's doing. There's just one thing..
She told me that hyperthyroidism isn't genetic, and that even a dog who tests clean for it could develop it later in life, and so she doesn't bother testing...but that only one of her dogs has ever had it, and the puppy I'd be getting isn't related (she's imported a few dogs and her lines sort of went in a new direction).
Anyway, I wanted to get some other opinions on the issue. I've heard that hyperthyroidism is an issue with rhodesian ridgebacks (which is what I'm getting), but everything I read sort of gives mixed explanations but I haven't found anything that discusses whether or not to test for it.
Thanks in advance!
This is a good discussion I ran across recently: http://www.revodana.com/healtharticles.html
An excerpt (but best to read it all) of an article called "Discussing the Thyroid" (about your breed):
QUOTE: The solution is clear: Breeders need to recognize that a normal OFA Thyroid is not a permanent pass. Like a CERF clearance, the thyroid panel needs to be repeated regularly to confirm the dog or bitch’s breedability. (The OFA recommends, but does not require, that re-examination occur at ages 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 years.) END QUOTE
When you read it, you may find that you will want your breeder to be able to discuss the article knowledgeably with you.
Thanks for the article, I'll talk to the breeder about it again now that I know a little bit more. It's a little disconcerting how common it is in the breed, but at least the breeder seems to understand that just testing once doesn't clear the dog.
On a side note, the website with the article is actually the website of the breeders I was most interested in! I decided that I wanted a breeder that was closer to me, though.
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Hyperthyroidism?
#123067 - 01/02/2007 12:07 PM 
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