“Dobermann Cardiac TROPONIN I (cTnI) Testing Scheme”

The Dobermann Breed Council has for many years supported the ‘Protect Study’ for Dobermans over five years and up to nine years of age.  This has now stopped recruiting or screening but those Dobermanns still in the study are being followed up until October 2011.

At the DBC Health Day Seminar on the 20/02/2011 reference was made to a Troponin I test which could be made at two years old, at the DBC meeting the following week it was agreed that we should investigate the options of utilising this method with Liverpool University. Recently, Gerhard Wess and his group in Germany identified that cardiac Troponin I levels correlated well with echocardiographic status of Dobermanns.

At the Dobermann Breed Council meeting on 25/06/2011 it was unanimously agreed to establish a “Dobermann Cardiac TROPONIN I (cTnI) Testing Scheme” at the request of the DBC in conjunction with Liverpool University and the only UK laboratory which commercially run this test.
A simple blood sample can be taken by your vet and submitted to the elected laboratory for testing the result will indicate if your Dobermann has a normal value cTnI level or an increased level.  If the results come back with an increased level of cTnI than normal the next step would be to get an Echo and Holter so that screening is more focused.  It is important that Troponin I (cTnI) testing should be done annually, it is a relatively inexpensive test.

It was also agreed that the DBC will pay up to £50 max towards the cost of each Dobermann tested whilst funds are available in return for making the test results available for publication on the DBC website, the owner should also be a member of a Breed Council member club.

Due to the test being recommended from 12 months of age this is perfect for breeders to adopt as ‘Best Practice’ in their breeding programmes.

It was also mentioned at the Health Seminar that Prof. Jorgen Koch of Copenhagen University initially
showed that some Dobermann pups had juvenile DCM and a high lactate. Other pups with only a slightly increased lactate developed DCM several years later. Ms Bitten Jonsson has followed these Dobermanns over their lives and documented cause of death. It is important to see whether lactate is a marker of actual or future DCM in UK dogs, a lactate test must be done immediately a blood sample has been taken, with this in mind the DBC agreed to arrange for Lactate and Troponin testing at a Breed Club show, details to be announced at a later date.

Testing Request Form