Health testing & what you need to know

Stands for Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

Tests for hip and elbow displacia

includes a set of x-rays sent in to the OFA where they are reviewed by a panel of 3 veteranarians.

 Hips are graded: POOR, GOOD or EXCELLENT

Elbows are graded:  NORMAL or ABNORMAL

Includes a sample of saliva sent to a lab.  Lab results varify if dog is a 

*CARRIER - has one copy of the gene

 *AFFECTED - has two copies of the gene

 or *CLEAR - no gene present

test includes MDR-1, CEA, CD, DM, HC, HUU, MR-1, NCL, PRA/PRCD and are explained below.

Canine Eye Registration Foundation

includes an eye screening by a board certified vet.  The eye is dialated and examined with a pen light to detect any abnormalities.  Tests should be conducted yearly.  But, will only show problems after they have occurred.  DNA testing is the best way to know if there are any eye deformities to be aware of. 

Multi Drug Resistance gene

Dogs with two copies of the mutated gene will develop a sensitivity to ivermectin and similar drugs.  Dogs with the mutation will pass on one copy of the gene to their puppies.  

Drugs sensitive to MDR-1 

affected dogs include:

*Ivermectin (found in heartworm medications) 

*Loperamide 

(Imodium over the counter antidiarrheal agent) 

*Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Vinblastine

 (anticancer agents) 

*Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent) 

*Digoxin (heart drug) 

*Acepromazine (tranquiliser) 

*Butorphanol ("Bute" pain control) 

Collie Eye Anamoly

 The disorder causes abnormal development in layers of tissue in the eye under the retina called the choroid. 

 These changes cause what is referred to as Choroidal Hypoplasia. The abnormal choroid appears pale and translucent. In most cases CEA is present at birth and can be detected in puppies as young as 4-8 weeks of age. There is currently no treatment for this disease. 

Cone Degeneration

 Cone Degeneration disease causes day-blindness caused by a lack of cone function in the retina of the eye. 

Degenerative Myleopathy

 is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord of dogs. 

 Dogs that have inherited two defective copies will experience a breakdown of the cells responsible for sending and receiving signals from the brain, resulting in neurological symptoms. 

Hereditary Cataracts

 clouding of the lens of the eye caused by a breakdown of tissue in the eye. This condition generally results in an inability to see clearly and can cause total blindness.  In canines, cataracts are often familial; this type is known as Hereditary Cataracts. 

Hyperuricosuria

 Dogs with this genetic mutation metabolize waste products as uric acid in their urine 

 The uric acid forms into hard stones in the bladder, causing pain and inflammation as the stone moves through the urinary tract. 

Multifocal Retinopathy

 autosomal recessive genetic ocular disease characterized by retinal deformation

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

 result in progressive degeneration of the central nervous system. 

 Characteristic neurological signs of NCL include mental dullness, Ataxia, loss of vision, weakness, abnormal gait, seizures, tremors and aggressive behaviors. 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration

 PRA - disorder in which the cells in the retina of a dog degenerate and die, in most cases eventually leading to complete blindness 

 PRCD - degeneration of both rod and cone type Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina, which are important for vision in dim and bright light, respectively.