Inherited cardiovascular disease in the dog

Recognition that many cardiovascular diseases maybe inherited imply the need for the developing of breed screening programs. These programs need that the clinical and instrumental techniques for screening being accurately standardized as modality of inheritance and clinical presentation are complex. The development of accurate standards for screening Boxer breed in Italy has decreased the prevalence of congenital heart disease in this breed from 17.8% in 2001 to 12.8% in 2004. This has been reached without significant consequences for the genetic pool.