Cardiomyopathy Update

The Boxer Breed Council Health Committee have been asked to help find boxers to assist in the research detailed below, they must fit the criteria outlined and should live no further than 3-4 hours travelling distance from Bristol for this research led by: Melanie Hezzell MA VetMB PhD CertVDI CertVC FHEA MRCVS DipACVIM (Cardiology)Senior Lecturer in CardiologyUniversity of BristolRCVS and American Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology Dear Mr Miller, As I’m sure you are aware, a group in Toronto have developed an autoantibody test which appears to show great promise for the diagnosis of overt arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in both human patients and Boxers.However, as the first sign of this devastating disease can be sudden death, a simple blood test which can identify affected animals earlier, during the occult stage, would be of enormous potential benefit, both clinically and potentially to help inform breeding programmes. This is particularly true in light of the expensive and extensive diagnostic tests needed to confirm the diagnosis, including echocardiography and Holter ECG monitoring.PetSavers have awarded us funding to further evaluate this blood test in 58 apparently healthy Boxers over 7 years of age; we are particularlyinterested in dogs that have at least one close relative that has been diagnosed with ARVC.We are hoping that you will be able to help us to recruit these dogs to the study. The dogs will benefit from a complete cardiac evaluation, including routine blood tests for general health monitoring –the costs of these tests are heavily subsidised by PetSavers, with owners being asked to make a small contribution (~7% of the total cost). The dogs will not undergo any procedures that are not part of standard veterinary care and ethical approval has been granted by the University of Bristol.We are very excited about the potential for this blood test to improve the lives of Boxers –we hope that you agree that this research is an opportunity to have a really significant impact on Boxer health.Please let me know if you need any additional details.

Many thanks,Melanie

Melanie Hezzell MA VetMB PhD CertVDI CertVC FHEA MRCVS DipACVIM (Cardiology)Senio r Lecturer in CardiologyUniversity of BristolRCVS and American Specialist in Veterinary CardiologyEmail: mh16511@bristol.ac.uk/ cardio@langfordvets.co.ukW: langfordvets.co.uk

Please contact Melanie directly on the email above.