Permanent identification now
required for health schemes
THE British Veterinary Association (BVA) in January welcomed the Kennel Club’s confirmation that, from January 2010, all dog owners and breeders wishing to participate in the Kennel Club/BVA Canine Health Schemes (CHS) for eye disease and hip and elbow dysplasia will be required to have their dogs permanently identified with either a microchip or tattoo.
BVA President Nicky Paull said “This move has been introduced at the express wish of the veterinary profession through the BVA and we are delighted that the Kennel Club has taken our view on board.
“In November, following discussion at our Ethics & Welfare Group, we called, along with an independent review of the breeding of dogs, for the permanent identification of all registered pedigree dogs. The inclusion of this requirement for participation in the Canine Health Schemes is hopefully the first step.”
The Canine Health Schemes have been branded and re-launched following a review that commenced in March 2006 and saw the formation of a joint management committee to oversee their development.
Commenting on the review Nicky Paull said: "With the recent publicity over pedigree dogs the re-launch of the CHS is timely. The dedicated health zone at Crufts earlier this year provided us with a perfect opportunity to raise awareness and encourage uptake of the schemes to breeders and the imminent British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress provides an equally ideal environment for promoting the schemes to the profession.
"In response to concerns expressed by both breeders and vets we are currently looking into investing in equipment to read digital submissions, increasing access to health screening and looking to develop new schemes, including one to address heart problems and another for syringomyelia.
"There are a number of initiatives currently being developed, not least those being explored by the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation, to identify practical solutions to the problems associated with breeding in dogs. The BVA/KC CHS are, however, already in place but in many breeds under-used. Our message to both breeders and the veterinary profession is quite simple - the CHS are here and by using them you can assist in identifying sometimes painful, inherited defects in dogs."
