Vizla Club of America

Health

For more information, contact: vcawf2000@gmail.com
Krista Schroeder, VCA Public Health Coordinator
Cathy Gallagher, Chair, VCA Breed Sustainability Committee

Resources & Information

Health Resources

• AKC Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
• CHIC Vizsla fact sheet  
• Orthopedic Foundation of Animals
• Fast Facts about PennHip
• Recording PennHip scores in the OFA database 
• Facts about PennHIP and the Vizsla 
• Find a Health Clinic -- CERF, Cardiac, DNA, Thyroid, Microchip
• DNA Testing
• Genetic Counseling

Health Information

• Information about Brucellosis (B. Canis):  
• Brucellosis Fact Sheet
• Best Practices for B. Canis prevention (USDA)  
• Information about CIRD (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease)  
• Information about CIV (Canine Influenza)
• Fungal Disease in Dogs
• Leptospirosis: Vaccine Considerations
• Leptospirosis Outbreak in NYC
• Important Muscle Diseases In The Vizsla Dog: What My Veterinarian Should Know To Reach A Correct Diagnosis   G. Diane Shelton DVM, PhD, DACVIM
• Pythiosis: Causes and Treatment
• Canine Bladder and Prostate Cancer: Early Detection with BRAF Testing
• Health Considerations for Early Spay/Neuter
• Evaluation of the risk and age of onset of cancer and behavioral disorders in gonadectomized Vizslas -- M.Christine Zink DVM PhD et. al.
• Fight Diseases: Participate in Canine Research
• AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines
• Dr Jean Dodds 2016 Vaccination Protocol
• Parvo Variants and Vaccines
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Vaccination Guidelines 2015
• States with Medical Exemptions in Lieu of Rabies Vaccination
• Review of the Current State of Genetic Testing

Research

The VCA Welfare Foundation is dedicated to advancing medical research to benefit the health and welfare of the Vizsla. We collaborate with leading research institutions and with the AKC Canine Health Foundation to identify research projects of the highest veterinary standards. The success of these projects, in part, is dependent on using viable samples from our breed. The Welfare Foundation encourages Vizsla owners to participate in these health studies when appropriate.

Summary of VCA WF Grant Sponsorship (1998 – 2021)

Open Clinical Trials

Please participate in a clinical trial at your local veterinary school: http://www.akcchf.org/research/participate-in-research/clinical-trials.html
Review of the Current State of Genetic Testing

Epilepsy Research

In the fall of 2014, with funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF), Dr. Ned Patterson and his team at the University of Minnesota launched Phase 3 of the Epilepsy Research Initiative to identify multiple markers for the disease, concentrating on both the Vizsla and the Australian Shepherd.  To insure the success of this research, Dr. Patterson’s team needs as many affected samples from seizing dogs as possible, including related family members. They also need samples from unaffecteds (or controls) who are 8 years or older. FMI about sample submission and participation in the Epilepsy Research Initiative, please contact Katie Minor at minork@umn.edu. All submission information will be kept confidential.

General DNA Research

Dog Genome Project at the Broad Institute of Harvard & MIT
The genome of the domesticated dog, a close evolutionary relation to human, is a powerful new tool for understanding the human genome. Comparison of the dog with human and other mammals reveals key information about the structure and evolution of genes and genomes. The unique breeding history of dogs, with their extraordinary behavioral and physical diversity, offers the opportunity to find important genes underlying diseases shared between dogs and humans, such as cancer, diabetes, and epilepsy. Researchers need blood samples for genome sequencing for all dogs, but especially dogs with the following diseases: Hemangiosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Lymphoma, Mast Cell Tumors, Addison’s Disease, Diabetes, Kidney failure at a young age and compulsive disorder. FMI on sample submission—email dog-info[at]broadinstitute.org.

Vizsla Breed Health Survey, sponsored in 2008 by the VCA WF

The 2008 Vizsla Health Survey was sponsored and funded by the Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation, Inc. The purpose of this health survey was to inform scientific research that to help us identify and better understand the health issues present in the Vizsla breed today. This was an anonymous survey, and all data collected was kept confidential.

• Health Survey Results  
• Additional analysis of survey results -- M.Christine Zink DVM PhD et. al. in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA, Vol 244, No.3, February 1, 2014)

VCA Health Resolutions (as of August 2018)

Resolution

The Vizsla Club of America (VCA) calls for ALL 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, and in full support of the VCA Code of Ethics (which states that only those Vizslas that are over two years of age, x-rayed and OFA-certified as free of hip dysplasia get bred), the VCA agrees to accept the removal of OFA listing requirements in advertisements in all official VCA publications, with the exception of Stud Dog listings and litter announcements.

Instructions for OFA diagnosis may be obtained for a fee from the:
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
www.ofa.org
2300 E. Nifong Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65201-3856
(573) 442-0418

PennHip Testing (Optional)
Fast facts about PennHip research
For more information about PennHip testing and expenses:
ANTECH Imaging Services
17672-B Cowan Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614 USA
Voice: 877.727.6800
Fax: 877.870.4890
http://info.antechimagingservices.com/

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.