HOOSIER LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB , INC
Specialty Show Chair Person ~ Pete Zimmerman
1328 Michigan Ave
Logansport , In 46947
feather_ reed@frontier.com
*The Hoosier Labrador Retriever Club , Inc and the Central Indiana Pug Club will
Co-sponsor a
Heart Clinic on Sunday February 12, 2012
(All BREEDS welcome) at the all breed SHOW Site.
West Pavillion , Indy Fair Grounds , Indianapolis,In.
Approximately from 9:00a.m. till 4:00p.m.
Auscultation , Doppler , Echocardiogram
Evaluation for OFA Heart Certification .
This will be conducted at the Show Site of the Indy Winter Classic all -Breed Cluster in Indianapolis ,In .
Conducted by Dr Andrew Mills ,DVM ,of the Franklin Animal Clinic .
? call Franklin Animal Clinic Office @ 317-736-9246 ask for Dr Mills..
or email sugee10@aol.com Sue Halling 317-462-1388.
Walk- ins day of are welcome or you can pre-register for preference.
There is no need to shave the dog for exam .
Labradors will take preference if they are waiting for test, over another breed.
Cost of the test will be $85.00.
Make checks out to HLRC,Inc.
Go to the HLRCinc.com site to get more information about clinic.

http://www.offa.org/pdf/cardapp_bw.pdf

Just wondering if the veterinarian performing the echoes is boarded in cardiology? If he isn't then who is reading the exams?

I was curious if the $85.00 cost is correct? Is it supposed to read $185.00?

I think the cost is correct if it's the same vet they've been using. No, he's not a board-certified cardiologist and unless he has new equipment, it's not a color doppler, but rather a black and white echocardiogram, so I don't know how he could possibly see backflow without the color. Anyone know?

The veterinarian that has been used at the HLRC specialty for the last 3 years is a vet practioner . Yes, OFA does reconize these veterinarians for OFA heart evaluations and certifications. And no he is not a board certified cardiologist.

The machine used at the clinic at the show is a smaller portable machine which will go to COLOR when the switch is flipped to look for the flow, or leaks ect to do the evaluation process.
This Vet does have a larger machine available at his own clinic but it is to big to transport.
When a condition is seen he would refer the owner to a cardiologist for further consult /help. The fee for this service is $85.00. Some breeders prefer to use only board certified cardiologists and that is fine .Sometimes people dont always have that option .HLRC is offering this all breed Heart clinic at the show as a service . We understand some may prefer to use cardiologists only.

Our club held a heart clinic a couple of years ago and also used this same vet. He is highly trained on the equipment and is the 'specialist' on echo color doppler in his practice. Also consults with other heart specialist frequently. The portable machine is color (I helped him for a few hours - really interesting process!).

Personally, I'd rather pay double the money for the opinion of a board-certified cardiologist. Dr. Mills is a general practitioner with an interest in cardiology...there is a big difference.

This is America. And folks are able to do this if that what one wishes to do also.
The HLRC is pleased to be able to offer the all breed heart clinic service at the show. We had about 65-67 dogs come to the clinic last year.
Some dogs did not pass the screening /evaluation.
Maybe one of the other clubs may wish to seek services of a cardiologist vet for one of their clubs shows some day.

I am much too far away to make use of the clinic, but I want to thank your club for offering it.

It is wonderful that you are offering it at a price that may encourage many to do echos on dogs that would otherwise not get an echo clearance, and might be bred with undetected heart defects.

Board certified cardiologist or not, if the parent of my TVD affected dog had been echoeed prior to breeding, that (also affected)parent could have been removed from the gene pool before perpetuating the defect.

Keep up the good work!

Thank you Laurel for saying the good words. We do try very hard to provide these clinics to help others out .