Screen your dog for cardiomyopathy. Many breeders use this system to screen breeding dogs. The system is also available to veterinarians and pet dog owners who want to run a lengthy EKG to determine if a dog’s symptoms are related to cardiomyopathy.
Alba Cardiac Holter Kit for canine
Holter Kit Contents:
1 Digital Alba Canine Cardiac Monitor with 5 leads attached
Monitor Case with Velcro attachment
SD Cards
Complete Instructions with photos
Please note that the Transmission CD in the picture is no longer used and not provided. (Transmission is now done online via USB SD Card).
THREE VEST SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM. Note that chest measurement is more relevant than body weight, as the vests must fit snugly. They are quite adjustable but not past the measurements listed:
1 size M DogLeggs BreathePrene Silvertec K9 holter vest and belt with Velcro closure
(typically for dogs 30-55 pounds, 25″-27″ chest girth)
1 size ML DogLeggs BreathePrene Silvertec K9 holter vest and belt with Velcro closure (typically for dogs 40-80 pounds, 28″-34″ chest girth)
1 size XL Custom vest and belt with velcro closures (typically for dogs with chest girth more than 35″, dogs 80 pounds and above)
Please choose the vest size above when ordering. These are the only sizes available, but they are very adjustable. If your dog falls between those sizes, you’re probably best with the larger one.
Hook-Up Kits are available separately. Order as many as needed. One for each dog:
Electrodes
1 roll Elastikon or equivalent tape
Skin Wipes
Battery for Holter
PLEASE READ THE FAQs and ENTIRE DESCRIPTION BEFORE PLACING ORDER OR CALLING. This is a very busy system in high demand. We cannot field all the calls that are coming in for details or chase down orders that come in without the deposit or rental agreement. Do not put in an order without contacting us first. We want to have a conversation with you before approving your rental. If you put in an order without contacting us, and the rental is not approved, we will withhold credit card fees that are charged to us when we refund your money.
We have been running 24 hour holters (ECGโs) on our boxers for many decades every year, allowing me to be fairly certain that there is no cardiomyopathy in our breeding program. For many years, we have paid the $400-$500 fee to run the 24 hour holter and have it interpreted. Occasionally, after taking our dog to be hooked up, returning home for the 24 hour period, going back in to have it all removed and sent in for interpretation, we found out that the holter needed to be hooked up and run again due to faulty hookup which causes artifacts in the data produced.
We invested in a top-of-the-line digital Alba monitoring system, a great vest in several sizes for smaller, medium, and larger sized dogs, and learned from cardiologists how to properly do the hook-up and which electrodes and tape work best.
We use this equipment to holter our own dogs each year. However, it is not in use most of the year and we wish to offer it to other breeders/dog owners who would like to screen their dogs. The system has been in extremely high demand. We have purchased 2 complete systems now to help with all the people who have sick dogs and dogs needing screening before breeding.
We put together a package that contains most everything a person needs to hook up a cardiac holter on a dog’ down to the proper electrodes, skin wipes and tape. The only thing you might need is a shaver and some Gold Bond powder. If you are running a holter on a senior or a dog with sensitive skin, please purchase a bottle of Unisolve (Amazon) to make the electrodes easier to remove. We send packets, but they aren’t enough for dogs with sensitive skin.
Complete full color directions are included with system. Novice can hook up a dog. Does not require a medical professional.
Alba Cardiac Holter Kit for canine
Holter Kit Contents:
1 Digital Alba Canine Cardiac Monitor with 5 leads attached
Monitor Case with Velcro attachment
SD Cards
Vest – choose size
Complete Instructions with photos
Please note that the Transmission CD in the picture is no longer used and not provided. (Transmission is now done online via USB SD Card).
THREE VEST SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM:
1 size M DogLeggs BreathePrene Silvertec K9 holter vest and belt with Velcro closure
(typically for dogs 30-55 pounds, 25″-27″ chest girth)
1 size ML DogLeggs BreathePrene Silvertec K9 holter vest and belt with Velcro closure (typically for dogs 40-80 pounds, 28″-34″ chest girth
1 size XL Doggleggs vest and belt with velcro closures (typically for dogs with chest girth more than 35″, dogs 80 pounds and above)
FAQ’s
How long is the rental for?
We send you a complete holter package for ten days (including shipping time back and forth), excellent instructions, photos, and the materials to submit to Alba for a complete report. The rental period starts on the day it is shipped out and ends on the day it is received back to us. Late returns incur a daily late fee. No exceptions. We usually have sick dogs waiting for your rental to come back.
What kind of electrodes come with the system?
We provide special electrodes which are high-end and don’t come loose even with an active dog. They come with the Hook Up Kit, and we offer extras in case you accidentally destroy one during the hook-up.
How many hook-up kits will I need to order?
Order as many Hook Up Kits as needed along with the Rental. You can holter as many dogs as desired during the rental period.
Do I have to shave my dog?
There is some debate about the value of shaving dogs before attaching electrodes. Some breeders choose not to shave and believe that they receive excellent results. In over four decades of running holters with board certified cardiologists, we have never seen a hookup by a cardiologist done without shaving. Shaving reduces the possibility of artifacts, which must be ruled out by technicians who review the data. Our instructions recommend shaving to give you the best possible results.
Are there any other preparations I need to make to get ready for the holter to start?
Your dog should be bathed and shaved prior to the holter arriving so that you can start as soon as it arrives.
Can I hook my dog up by myself if I’ve never done it before?
The hookup is not difficult. However, for a novice, it is best to have a helper. One can read the instructions and hold the wires while the other does the placement of electrodes, tape and vest. It helps to have treats or do this on a grooming table so that the dog stays still. The DR200 does not have an on/off button, so it turns on when the battery is inserted. It’s best to insert the battery once the electrodes are attached, but before the vest is secured, just to be certain that you have a good read going on the screen. So it’s nice to have 2 people for this process.
It will probably take about 20 minutes from start to finish if the dog is already bathed and shaved prior to starting. Tucking the wires into the pocket and securing everything with the exterior belt is the final step.
How is the report generated?
Once the dog wears the holter for 24 hours, the data is stored on the SD Card. You will upload the data to Alba to interpret and produce a report for you and your veterinarian. Alba’s charge is separate from the rental of equipment. Their charge has been around $40 for digital interpretation and report generation from Alba. Contact Alba to verify current charge.
Do I receive extra electrodes or SD cards in case there is a need for them?
We always send an extra SD card and an extra set of electrodes. Just send them back when you return the system. If you had to use the extra set of electrodes, we will just deduct them from the return of your deposit.
RENTAL CONTRACT REQUIRED
What if I send in an order and forget to send the Rental Agreement?
Orders submitted without the required fully executed contract and deposit within 24 hours will be cancelled. Credit card fees will be charged on cancelled orders and withheld from the refund. We usually have people waiting for the equipment; many with sick dogs. We cannot chase people down for the contract. Contact us through the store for the rental contract or print using the link on the tab above. A refundable deposit must be paid prior to shipment as a security deposit. Once the system is returned and evaluated, the deposit (less any late fees, credit card fees charged by payment gateway to our account, or fees for damage or replacement) is refunded digitally. See below to pay deposit.
How does shipping and insurance work?
SHIPPING: We use USPS for shipping, not FedEx or UPS. PLEASE CHOOSE THE FREE SHIPPING CHARGE, AS THE SHIPPING IS ADDED AT CHECKOUT. THIS RENTAL DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR FREE SHIPPING, SO YOU WILL SEE A SHIPPING CHARGE INCLUDING INSURANCE WHEN YOU CHECK OUT. DO NOT ADD INSURANCE, AS THE INSURANCE IS INCLUDED. STANDARD POST DOES NOT HAVE TRACKING AND MAY TAKE OVER A WEEK TO GET TO YOU, so do not choose anything except Priority Mail. If the store does not calculate enough shipping to cover Priority with full insurance, you will be asked to pay the difference before shipment, or it will be withheld from the deposit when it is returned. Priority Mail with insurance charge is typically around $45 in a Medium Flat Rate Box. You are required to ship back using appropriate shipping with tracking and full replacement insurance as well. It must arrive back here by the end of your rental period to avoid daily late fees. Make your choice of shippers based on that rule. You must send the tracking number to us when it is generated by the shipper. Send contract and tracking number to info@thedogbreederstore.com
Why are there 2 deposit choices?
DEPOSIT CHOICES are in the Drop Down Menu above.
You may choose which deposit option you prefer.
Providing a $500 deposit requires that a valid credit card number is entered on the rental contract. We do not charge anything to your card while the rental is out. It is simply there to protect us in the event that it is not returned. If you use your credit card, we will withhold credit card fees of approximately 3% when your deposit is returned.
Providing a deposit via zelle or certified check/money order allows us to return the deposit without charging you the credit card fees we are assessed through the store’s payment gateway. If you choose this option, you can then send $500 via Zelle. Zelle deposit can be sent to info@thedogbreederstore.com. It may be listed in your bank as “Above the Line Wellness”, which is our parent company. If you send a check, it must clear before the holter is shipped.
DEPOSIT – When and how is it returned?
Your deposit is refunded to your original payment method once system is returned and evaluated for damage.
PLEASE NOTE: The Payment Gateways are no longer refunding the credit card fees they charge to us when we refund your deposit. Your deposit will be refunded LESS THOSE FEES in all cases unless you prefer to send the deposit via check/money order, or Zelle to info@thedogbreederstore.com. Those fees can range around $15-$20 depending on the payment gateway that you choose. We can no longer absorb those fees. Sorry. Please allow at least a week for refund of deposit monies due, as an inspection must be done and accounting put together for you. Accounting can take up to a week.
RENTAL AGREEMENT – How to get it to us:
We do not use DocuSign for the rental contract, so do recommend that you send it to us using secured email or call us to verbally enter your credit card number into the contract for you. If you have an account with DocuSign and want to send it that way, we will be happy to honor that and sign it inside DocuSign.
Download the rental contract using the tab on this page RENTAL AGREEMENT. Fill it out and return to us at info@thedogbreederstore.com. We recommend that you send the RENTAL AGREEMENT without the credit card on it; then call with your credit card information to put on the contract so that it is not sent over unsecure email to us. Deposit is refundable as long as there is no damage, no missing equipment, and equipment is returned clean and free of fur.
WAIT LIST MESSAGE:
If store states PUT ME ON WAITING LIST, put yourself on the wait list and we will notify you when it is available.
What if I want to get an OFA Advanced Cardiac Certificate?
The report you receive from Alba Medical qualifies for the OFA. It is the same report that board certified cardiologists get. OFA requires that the Holter and Echo are run within 90 days of one another to qualify for the Advanced Cardiac Certificate clearance for breeding. What we do in our breeding program is run our Holters first, then we take the reports to the cardiologist who does the echos. He then does our Advanced Cardiac Certificates. Alba does have a cardiologist who can do an over read for a fee, but if you don’t see substantial numbers of PVC’s, runs, doubles, triples, that’s usually not a justifiable expense. Your echo cardiologist is usually happy to interpret it and fill out the paperwork for OFA. Just arrange that with the cardiologist. They are all aware of our needs as breeders with OFA.
What will this cost me once it is “said and done”?
The typical end cost with shipping, insurance, supplies, and credit card fees is usually around $250 at this time. And you will own the report, which is a huge advantage in my eyes. It’s not sitting in your dogโs files where you can’t see what’s on it. You can take it wherever you want to discuss with any other breeder or medical professional. You can even post it on your website if you care to show your dog’s results for breeding clearance.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE RENTAL AGREEMENT
Send contract and tracking number to info@thedogbreederstore.com. Send all 3 pages please as an attachment, not inside the email.
We recommend that you do not send it with your credit card info over email. We will contact you to get the credit card number to fill in on the rental agreement after we receive it.
