How our Kiara increased
worldwide interest in testing.

I am proud of the fact, that puppies born in Cross the Rubicon kennel are coming from health tested parents. And as
the knowledge in veterinary medical field is increasing, so is the number of the health tests passed in Cross the Rubicon
kennel.

As a previous owner of working German Shepherd, I was aware of the huge impact of hip dysplasia- on the dog's
health and well being as well as owners. This was only strengthened by seeing young dogs suffering from this disease
and owners struggling to pay for surgeries they never dreamt of. All for love of their new family member...

Naturally, testing for hip dysplasia was first on my check list (and as the dog is under anesthesia already-why not to
add elbows!). Then came thyroid disease (as hypothyroidism also lowers conception rate), eyes (too many Tibetian
terriers end up blind-  it is worth it $30 the specialist charges), heart (sad to hear about kerry puppy dying from PDA-
another charge of $30-35 is well worth it), knees (why not, it can be done by regular practitioner as a part of the
yearly health exam) and blood clotting disorders.

Aran passed all tests with flying colors. I can sleep tight at night,  happy I did my best for future puppy owners.

Surprise came with one of Kiara's blood clotting factors results. Although coming from family where heath tests do not
come standard, lucky enough she passed all other health tests- including factor XI deficiency and  recheck of  her eyes
and thyroid at age of 5.5 years.

Unfortunately her DNA test for vWd disease (von Willebrand's disease- lack of co-factor of blood clotting factor
VIII) came back as "affected". Nor her "real" values of vWd factor were thrilling.

This information had an affect on my kennel, as well as kennels of both of her parents and as expected...well beyond...

I know, that  simple DNA test for vWd is forever added to my list of tests for my dogs and this finding serves as a
reason for recommendation of testing for bitches interested in my stud dogs.

Public disclosure of Kiara's results created quite a stir up, especially between breeders in US- who anecdotally have
the easiest access to testing for this disease, but rarely test (current price is $140/per dog or discount price of $99 -if
there is a "health clinic", collecting certain amount of the samples). Compared to that- $75 for factor XI. (with free test
if animal is affected) seems to be a bargain.

Although  petty accusations were flying high, even the most selfish breeders needed to look inside and realize they are
not sure how this disease is passed on and what to do to make it better.

Thanks to Kiara, the interest in bleeding disorders in kerries was re-discovered. And not just in vWd, but also is
clotting factor XI!
According to VegGen, there have been 80 kerries tested since  April of 2002. Kiara's number is 24 (tested January
2007).

      If Kiara is only a carrier, the impact wouldn't be nearly as strong. But because of her carrying "sick" gene from
two different influential European kennels, with offspring living worldwide- the things start moving.

As people are only human beings, they deal with grief by going through all...or some...of 5 stages. I am sure as you are
reading about health testing and thinking about your own dogs, you find yourself in one of these stages too!):

1.  Denial – Refusing to believe what has happened, feeling shocked. “This can’t be happening. My dog never bled
when I trimmed his nails/was never limping/ can see just fine...”
2.  Anger – Accusing others, such as a supreme being or friends, for what has occurred. “How dare you to post her
results/to name the dogs in the lineage/ to make me realize I don't know what is going on with my own dogs!”
3.  Bargaining – Asking the universe or a supreme being to “cut a deal” with you. ” Oh, please, don't let her...or
anybody else...to find out my dog is carrier/affected/ test ignored!"
4.  Depression – Experiencing listlessness or exhaustion combined with feelings of helplessness, guilt and lack of
interest in life. “I might as well give up.”
5.  Acceptance – Facing the loss and moving on, returning to setting goals in your life and focusing your energy more
positively. “I’m ready to deal with this now. Where is the contact for the laboratory doing test? When can I schedule
for hips X-rays? ”

So did breeders and kerry owners related to Kiara...and the others who start talking about her too. And those who
really care start testing the breeding stock.

Thanks to Kiara, the events happening are quite historical:

~ Gaeltacht kennel is the first in history of Finland having kerry tested for vWd and their imported Ch. Torum's Stormin
Norman is first kerry living in Finland tested as"clear".

~ Two Czech kennels- Braudag and owner of Kiara's sire MultiCh. Gaeltacht Iosaic Aduaidh- Baron (kennel Adonis
star) are in search of the local laboratory performing this type of test.
.
~ Two kennels in Slovakia were informed and Kerrydom Court is the one researching the possibility of the testing
locally.

~ kennel Rollick (Charlotta Mellin) is the first breeder in Sweden to test her kerries for vWd!

~ My own Ch. Aran Ferbane is first kerry coming from Italy tested as "clear"

~ In Canada- (kennel Kingael) has two kerries tested "clear"- Finnish import (Louisburgh x Aran breeding) Ch.
Brightspot Fyre Kingael and US import (Aran Ferbane x Torum/Gaeltacht breeding) Warlord's Rebellion at Kingael

Of course I am the first in history of kerry breeding in USA posting less favorable results (geez... am I tired of all that
glitter or what???) <lol> As Kiara is "affected" and Aran is "clear"-pups born are "carriers" and need to be mated only
with "clear" (no brainer there!) counterpart and do not loose breeding value.

There is a kerry breeder in Ireland (Glenfitor)- also first in the history, not just testing for vWd and HD, but also
bravely posting results on the webpage. Go, Fi!!!!

I am also in contact with breeder/kerry owner in China.

I am looking for any link/test results for kerries from Balboa kennel and other kennels possibly related to
carrier/affected status of Kiara's pedigree.

This progress is surely exciting and I hope this informations gets to every kerry breeder, not just those related to
affected or carrier dogs!

OK, now back to vWD in kerry blue terriers.  
vWd in kerries is a mild bleeding disorder and as far as my research goes, there is no confirmed death caused by
bleeding into the cavities (as that's what this disease does).  In very simple words- vWd factor is responsible for
"gluing" platelets to damaged vessel, creating the clot and stopping the bleeding. There are additional factors involved in
clotting, feel free to do your own research :-) DNA test is not 100% proof so if  the result is questionable, the actual
levels of vWd should be checked. Also risk for expressing bleeding tendency is greatest at values near low end of
carrier range (by laboratory- "carrier" is anybody with  vWD blood levels between 0-49%).
For additional info check :http://www.vetgen.com/canine-ref-vwd1.html

If you want to share your results, don't hesitate to e-mail me!

Please test your kerries. And don't forget, it is not a shame to have a problem, it is shame to ignore it!

This info by any means doesn't replace your own search for healthy puppy/breeding stock, nor it applies to all other
diseases. There are breeders breeding dogs with hip dysplasia, they just simply don't post the results. It is always
owner's responsibility to gather as much information as possible.
                                                                                      Natalia
Here are links for multiple health test links.

If your dogs is not tested nor has tested parents- consider them affected till proven
otherwise! (Applies to all other diseases too.)