Vizsla Health and Health Testing at Batorok
The Hungarian Vizsla is generally a healthy breed; however, health conditions can occur occasionally. While there are no health tests for Hungarian Vizslas required by Dogs Australia, the Vizslas we breed from at Batorok are all tested for a wide variety of potential issues.
This proactive approach helps ensure the well-being of our dogs and provides peace of mind to prospective owners. Regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle are also recommended to maintain their overall health.
Health Issues and Health Testing
Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Hip and Elbow Scoring -
Hip and elbow scoring is open dogs that are at least 12 months of age. Scoring evaluates the dog using x-rays. The radiologist uses a variety of criteria when evaluating both hip and elbow scores. The higher the score, the higher the indication of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and/or arthritis.
Each breed has a listed ‘breed average’ score. We only breed from dogs that are close to or below the listed breed average at the time they are scored. All of our own dogs have been hip scored and we will only select a male to sire our litter if he has been scored also.
We do both hip and elbow testing to ensure we are getting a full picture of joint health in our dogs. AVA joint testing is completed on all our breeding dogs and we use this to help ensure we are doing our best to keep improving the quality of our puppies joints. This said, it is important to note that hip dysplasia is the result of both environmental and physiological factors and not just genes, so it's important to be mindful of how you allow your treasured friend to run and jump throughout it's early life, as well as ensuring the dog isn't carrying excess weight. We will not breed a dog with an elbow score of anything other than zero as Hungarian Vizslas in Australia are not commonly known to have elbow issues.
Epilepsy -
Vizslas with epilepsy have recurring seizures that are caused by abnormal, involuntary electrical activity in the brain that can be sporadic and mild to frequent and severe. Epilepsy in dogs is one of the most common canine neurological disorders. Cases of epilepsy in Vizslas occur from time to time but it isn’t a common occurrence.
It is treated with various medications. There is no preventative or genetic testing.
Batorok Vizslas do not have any dogs in our pedigrees that have been affected by epilepsy.
Orivet DNA Testing -
Dogs Australia is the governing body for purebred, pedigree dogs in Australia. Each state has their own representative. We are governed by Dogs Queensland. All puppies bred in Queensland are required to be DNA tested and have their parentage proven by DNA, to ensure that the dog listed on your puppy’s pedigree is indeed their parent. If the puppy you are buying from Queensland does not include this, the breeder is not following the regulations - steer clear!
Here at Batorok Hungarian Vizsla we choose the optional Full Breed Profile to ensure we are doing everything we can to breed puppies that are as healthy as possible. Each of our dogs has a fully upgraded Full Breed Profile. Occasionally this Full Breed Profile changes and will incorporate a new test or remove an old one that is now seen to be obsolete. If you wish to chat about any tests or see any results of any of our dogs, please don't hesitate to ask.
Sebaceous Adenitis -
Sebaceous Adenitis is a rare skin condition.
It causes hair loss that gives a ‘moth eaten’ appearance, lesions and even scarring. It can develop anywhere from 1 year of age to onset of over 10 years of age. It occurs more often overseas (especially the United Kingdom) than it does in Australia. It is quite rare here.
A skin biopsy of affected dogs is the only way to confirm the condition. There is no preventative or genetic testing.
Batorok Vizslas do not have any dogs in our pedigrees that have been affected by Sebaceous Adenitis.