Mend Your Diet

What health testing do you do on your dogs before you breed?

What genetic health testing do you do? What is it called and what is it testing for? What breed do you have and why do you test for it? Thanks! Yes I know of them, just interested to know what breeders test for and what breeds and why. Do you do the tests on just the dogs you breed or the pups before also before they go to new homes? (not the OFA ones because I know they have to be 2 years old at least)

Public Comments

1. ETA: They tested all their dogs that the kept- although some were neutered/spayed after finding out the results. My breeder always neutered/spayed the 'pet quality' dogs. I'vent been able to get a show/event dog from her yet- the list is way to long.My last one wasn't a puppy from them- it was an adult dog that had been tested and wasn't genetically healthy for breeding so he was neutered and she called me and I got him. I'm pretty sure you have heard of OFA/CERF, on here. I don't breed but I do know what my breeder tests for in her rat terriers( the only breeder I've bought from in the last few years, the rest have been shelters/breed rescues. Basically its OFA/CERF since OFA covers a lot of the areas that were tested. They test for them because they don't want to pass down any undesirable traits, obviously.And majority of the breed is healthy and they want to keep it that way. BAER HEARING TEST CARDIAC ELBOW HIPS LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES PATELLA THYROID
2. I have papillons, a fairly healthy breed. I test for: patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps, a problem that can affect any toy breed.) and PRA (progressive retinal atrophy, the back of the eye deteriorates, causing gradual blindness.) I test ALL my dogs before they breed as patella luxation and PRA are inherited and could be passed on to the pups. It is important to have all the relevant tests done to give your pups the best chance of a long, healthy, happy life, whatever the breed. add: when I rehome a puppy Ive bred, i always make it clear to the new owners whether their new dog is for breeding or not. They will sign a contract that clearly says if the dog is a "breeding prospect", or "not for breeding". If the dog being rehomed is a young puppy and not a "breeding prospect" it will say in the contract that, when the dog is old enough, he/she will be neutered. If the dog I rehome is an adult and not for breeding, he/she may be neutered already, or it will be in the contract. To me, taking these steps to ensure only healthy dogs are bred is part of being a responsible breeder.
3. Boxer Testings Doppler Echocardiogram Test ------------------------------- An ultrasound of the heart that detects abnormal flow velocities and allows for the diagnosis and quantification of the severity of Aortic Stenosis. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 hour Holter Monitor Test EKG (Electrocardiogram) ----------- Tests for the presence of PVCs (Premature Ventricular Contractions). This test screens for Boxer Arrythmic Cardiomyopathy, and should be repeated yearly ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OFA Hips (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Inc):---------------- An X-ray of the pelvic joint to screen for hip dysplasia ---------------------------------Or---------------------------------------------------- PennHip (University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program): ---- An X-ray of the pelvic joint to screen for hip dysplasia ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OFA Thyroid: A blood test to detect autoimmune thyroiditis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation)------------------------- Testing screens for heritable eye diseases ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DM – Degenerative Myelopathy DNA Testing ------------------------ The test clearly identifies if a dog is normal or is a carrier for DM Dm (Degenerative Myelpopathy is similar to multiple sclerosis in people. It affects the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The testing is done to ensure that you do not breed an undesirable trait or illness and pass it onto any litters. Ensuring that all litters of potential pet and show quality puppies have the best outlook for their future.
4. With all the breeders on here, I'm surprised more aren't answering this question! I don't know about health testing, and it's nice to see what tests should be done
5. 1. OFA x-rays for Hip Dysplasia. The incidence of HD in my breed is very low, and I do believe that it is because Siberian breeders do the testing, and don't often breed anything that isn't OFA Good or Excellent. In other words, just because the incidence is low does not mean we should stop testing for it. 2. Annual CERF exams for eye disease. Siberians are prone to several genetic eye diseases, Juvenile Cataracts and Corneal Dystrophy being chief among them. All of my breeding dogs are examined by a CERF vet annually, and their clearances kept in the Parent Club's SHOR database. 3. Thyroid testing. This is a relatively recent movement in the breed; however, because Hypothyroidism is becoming common, we test our breeding dogs' thyroid levels prior to breeding. I believe OFA is keeping a thyroid database, now. I have Siberians, and I test because I believe in creating healthy, sound puppies that are a credit to their breed. The only way to help ensure this is to test every generation, and move forward with only the healthiest dogs.
6. APBT and Rottweiler Health Testing: I do not breed but I do have some knowledge to assist me when buying outside of a rescue. It also helps me keep breeders reputable. The following health testing is not specific to just APBT's or Rottweilers as most diseases are not exclusive to just one specific breed. True health-testing is in depth and seeks to identify carriers of crippling and increasingly common genetic diseases that are affecting our purebred dogs. Health-testing is a tool to help breed away diseases from the dogs that are carrying them. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) offers tests for hips, elbows, patellas (kneecaps), cardiac, thyroid, eyes, hearing, shoulders, some skin diseases, and a hip disorder commonly affecting small dogs. They also offer DNA testing. PennHip is another organization that offers hip testing, utilizing different methods than the OFA. Hips are probably the top concern then cardiac, elbows and patellas are also important to a working breed and the remaining as above noted above. The working drive and pain threshold is so high in this breed that afflicted dogs may work their hearts out without ever giving any indicator that they are unsound. The APBT ranks 27th out of 142 breeds for hip dysplasia. 22.2% of our breed is dysplastic, versus only 4.8% excellent. That number is up more than 7% since 1990. (The AmStaff's percentage of hip dysplasia dropped 9% during that same period.) The APBT ranks 15th out of 82 breeds for elbow dysplasia. 14% of tested dogs are dysplastic. Rottweiler Health Testing: (Same as above with the following) A reputable breeder will have the hips and elbows of all breeding stock x-rayed and read by a recognized specialist. They will have paperwork to prove it. They will also have certificates that their breeding animals do not have Entropian or Ectropian and that they have full and complete dentition with a scissor bite. As with any species, hereditary conditions do occur in some lines. Potential purchasers should question breeders about any history of hereditary disease in their lines. If over fed and /or under exercised Rottweiler’s are one of the breeds most prone to obesity. Some of the consequences of obesity can be very serious: arthritis, breathing difficulties, diabetes, heart failure, reproductive problems, skin disease, reduce resistance to disease and overheating caused by the thick jacket of fat under the skin Ego, reputable breeders do health testing to “Better the Breed”!
7. If I were breeding my field bred English springers, I would OFA and PennHip the hips for dsyplasia. I would have the elbows and thyroid OFA'ed as well. The eyes would be CERF'ed against genetic and congential eye diseases like PRA and cataracts. Since phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency and Fucosidosis are problems in some English lines I would make sure that they were clear of that also. Sadly the genetic marker for epilepsy still hasn't been found although there are studies going on now, so there is no way to test for epilepsy.
8. There is an entire list of DNA health and trait tests along with the breeds that are eligible here... http://www.vetdnacenter.com/
9. First i test whether the dog has any communicable diseases, such as rabies e.t.c.