Health Testing

Required test for Golden Retrievers and Dachshunds

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The purpose of the OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) is to provide breeders with information regarding canine eye diseases so that they may make informed breeding decisions in an effort to produce healthier dogs. CAER certifications will be performed by board certified (ACVO) veterinary ophthalmologists. There are many different types of eye diseases out there.

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Diseases that can be discovered through these exams: 

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Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), Cataract, Lens luxation or subluxation, Glaucoma, Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV), Retinal detachment, Retinal dysplasia, Optic nerve coloboma, Optic nerve hypoplasia, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).

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This test can be done at any age.

Required test for Golden Retrievers

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Hip dysplasia refers to abnormal formation of the “ball-and-socket” hip joint and occurs in many breeds, particularly larger dogs. It is primarily inherited, and development is believed to be influenced by multiple genes. However, risk and severity of hip dysplasia may also be increased by environmental factors such as overfeeding that leads to rapid growth during early puppyhood, neutering prior to maturity, and possibly certain types of exercise.

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Hip Screening: Grade Classifications

The OFA classifies hips into seven different categories: Excellent, Good, Fair (all within Normal limits), Borderline, and then Mild, Moderate, or Severe (the last three considered Dysplastic).

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The hip grades of excellent, good and fair are within normal limits and are given OFA numbers. 

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This test can be done anytime after 24 months of age.

Required test for Dachshunds-Optional for the Golden Retrievers (we test both breeds)

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The patella, or kneecap, is part of the stifle joint (knee). In patellar luxation, the kneecap luxates, or pops out of place, either in a medial or lateral position. Bilateral involvement is most common, but unilateral is not uncommon. Animals can be affected by the time they are eight weeks of age. The most notable finding is a knock-knee (genu valgum) stance. The patella is usually reducible, and laxity of the medial collateral ligament may be evident. The medial retinacular tissues of the stifle joint are often thickened, and the foot can be seen to twist laterally as weight is placed on the limb.

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Patellar Luxation is grade from 1-4 depending on severity.

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TThis test can be done anytime after 12 months of age.

Required for both breeds

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Both breeds have their own specific breed panels that focus on a variety of things that are permanent to the breed. It is important to test for genetics with everything else to make sure you are not breeding an affected dog to another affected/Carrier or Carrier to Carrier to help prevent certain health risk.

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This test can be done at any age.

Required test for Golden Retrievers and Dachshunds

Congenital heart disease in dogs is a malformation of the heart or great vessels. The lesions characterizing congenital heart defects are present at birth and may develop more fully during perinatal and growth periods. Many congenital heart defects are thought to be genetically transmitted from parents to offspring; however, the exact modes of inheritance have not been precisely determined for all cardiovascular malformations. The most common congenital cardiovascular defects can be grouped into several anatomic categories. 

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The grading for cardiac exams are grade 1-6 depending on the severity of the murmur.

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This test can be done at any time after 12 months of age.

Required test for Golden Retrievers

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Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow. Three specific etiologies make up this disease and they can occur independently or in conjunction with one another. Elbow dysplasia often first appears as front leg lameness in young dogs, although symptoms can appear at any age. While not as common as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is estimated to affect approximately 10% of Goldens. Like hip dysplasia, many affected dogs have no symptoms, yet can pass more serious disease to their offspring. For other affected dogs, symptoms range from mild stiffness to severe lameness.

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Elbow dysplasia grades are grade I Elbow dysplasia, grade II Elbow dysplasia, grade III elbow dysplasia. 

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This test can be done anytime after 24 months of age.

Optional Test that we do for both breeds

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The Dentition Database was established in late 2011 at the specific request of the American Rottweiler Club. Full dentition is an element of breed specific health, form and function for a number of breeds. The purpose of the database is to certify dogs with all adult teeth fully erupted. The database does not certify overall dental health, misaligned teeth, or dentition in accordance with a breed standard.

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This test can be done anytime after 12 months of age.

Optional test for Golden Retrievers

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by abnormal thickening of the left ventricle, the heart chamber responsible for pumping blood to the body. HCM is a genetic cardiac disorder commonly affecting the functional unit of contractility for cardiac muscle, known as the cardiac sarcomere. The disease frequently affects cats and very rarely is it observed in dogs. However, lethal HCM has been documented in a family of Golden Retrievers. Our laboratory has now identified the genetic variant linked to this rare canine disease.
 

Current test result possibilities: Negative, Positive Heterozygous, or Positive Homozygous.

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This test can be done at any age.