Fitz Fabulous by Nature da Casa Mont'Alves
|
With
a very sad heart I would like to tell that Fitz Fabulous by Nature da Casa
Mont’Alves aka Ferb (Inzo d’Eroudur x Denyah d’Eroudur) died on the 27th
of June 2014.
On
the 26th we got an email from Ferb’s owner Suzanne Wright telling us
about a sad episode occurred to Ferb:
“…I let him out on the patio with Phineas, his littermate, and as I was closing the glass door, I saw Ferb stagger and fall down. I ran out to him and he was down, legs moving slightly, stiff and there was some moisture from his mouth on the concrete. I checked his heart and it was beating. He was still laying down. A minute or so later, he staggers to a semi-sitting position and falls over on his other side. After a minute, he raises his head and sort of growls at Phineas who was behind and beside me. He seems to be "out of it" and was staring. I stroked his head and talked to me (which I had been doing the whole time). After about a minute or more, he stood up and was unsteady on his feet. He then started walking, still unsteady, and stayed near me. After a minute or so, he was walking and moving normally, but a bit slow. I am not sure of the times of each stage, but I think the complete episode lasted about 5 minutes, more or less.”
After this Ferb was taken to the vet and for me it was clear that Ferb had an EP seizure. I was devastated and seriously consider stop breeding. At this point Suzanne was the best owner and supporter I could wish for, always trying to make me see all the different possibilities and convincing me to wait for all the test she was going to run on him before making a final conclusion.
Unfortunately the next day Ferb dies. A very very sad day that really shock me and all that I believe in breeding. Suzanne once again was a true friend and supporter and once again told me to wait as a very exhaustive autopsy was going to be made to Ferb. During that time I searched the help of breeders to try and understand what happened. Thank you all for your fantastic support and enlightening on different subjects breeding/health related. You know who you are !!!.
It took until July the 4th to get the autopsy with the result that Ferb died from a "cardiac dysfunction with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy". It was a relief that it was not EP, still a serious illness but not yet know the genetic influence and above all with tests available for breeding stock, an examination of the heart using echocardiograph (ultrasound of the heart) imaging. During this time I got information’s on the study being done at the Helsinki University for Hannes Lohi Group on EP. They need blood of BSD to continue and develop they study. Please support the study. More info in the link: http://www.koirangeenit.fi/english/
I think it is important to let the general laeken lovers and especially breeders know about Ferb’s dead. I encourage all the breeders to let everyone know about what is going on with the dogs they produce. On my side I will test the laekens I will use in breeding I will encourage the owners of the Mont’Alves dogs to test theirs.
The love for the breed has to be the main driver and for them we have the responsibility to do the best. Let’s give them back in double the dedication they give to us.
Rui Alves Monteiro
“…I let him out on the patio with Phineas, his littermate, and as I was closing the glass door, I saw Ferb stagger and fall down. I ran out to him and he was down, legs moving slightly, stiff and there was some moisture from his mouth on the concrete. I checked his heart and it was beating. He was still laying down. A minute or so later, he staggers to a semi-sitting position and falls over on his other side. After a minute, he raises his head and sort of growls at Phineas who was behind and beside me. He seems to be "out of it" and was staring. I stroked his head and talked to me (which I had been doing the whole time). After about a minute or more, he stood up and was unsteady on his feet. He then started walking, still unsteady, and stayed near me. After a minute or so, he was walking and moving normally, but a bit slow. I am not sure of the times of each stage, but I think the complete episode lasted about 5 minutes, more or less.”
After this Ferb was taken to the vet and for me it was clear that Ferb had an EP seizure. I was devastated and seriously consider stop breeding. At this point Suzanne was the best owner and supporter I could wish for, always trying to make me see all the different possibilities and convincing me to wait for all the test she was going to run on him before making a final conclusion.
Unfortunately the next day Ferb dies. A very very sad day that really shock me and all that I believe in breeding. Suzanne once again was a true friend and supporter and once again told me to wait as a very exhaustive autopsy was going to be made to Ferb. During that time I searched the help of breeders to try and understand what happened. Thank you all for your fantastic support and enlightening on different subjects breeding/health related. You know who you are !!!.
It took until July the 4th to get the autopsy with the result that Ferb died from a "cardiac dysfunction with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy". It was a relief that it was not EP, still a serious illness but not yet know the genetic influence and above all with tests available for breeding stock, an examination of the heart using echocardiograph (ultrasound of the heart) imaging. During this time I got information’s on the study being done at the Helsinki University for Hannes Lohi Group on EP. They need blood of BSD to continue and develop they study. Please support the study. More info in the link: http://www.koirangeenit.fi/english/
I think it is important to let the general laeken lovers and especially breeders know about Ferb’s dead. I encourage all the breeders to let everyone know about what is going on with the dogs they produce. On my side I will test the laekens I will use in breeding I will encourage the owners of the Mont’Alves dogs to test theirs.
The love for the breed has to be the main driver and for them we have the responsibility to do the best. Let’s give them back in double the dedication they give to us.
Rui Alves Monteiro