Health Tests

{tab=BAER}

http://www.offa.org/deaf_baer.html

BAER Testing Protocol

The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test is the only accepted method of diagnosis. Bone stimulation transducer may be used. in addition when conduction deafness is suspected.

OFA recommends this test be performed by board certified veterinary neurologists, but will accept test results from experienced veterinarians/audiologists. One test suffices for the lifetime of the animal.

Bilateral hearing passes the test. Unilateral or bilateral deafness fails.

Examination protocol

BAER testing is done on canines at least 35 days old.
A signal sound pressure level between 70 and 105 db is used to obtain a response with peaks I through V judged present at their appropriate latencies.
Insert earphones will be used.
Chemical restraint is optional.
The test is done in such a manner that movement will not cause an artifact that could be mistaken for a response to a stimulus.
At least 200 clicks will be used to obtain the response.

A masking tone is not considered necessary if recordings are made with electrodes positioned along the midline and in the ipsilateral mastoid region; a masking tone is necessary if the electrodes are placed along the midline at the vertex and the T-1.

Under appropriate circumstances when an ear tests as deaf using air-conducted stimuli, and the possibility of conduction deafness exists (chronic otitis, excess ear wax accumulation), repeat testing with a bone stimulation transducer is recommended.

A printed copy of the BAER Test tracing will be provided to the owner and the OFA.

The Printed copy of the BAER tracing must contain the dog's name or identification linking it to this application.

{tab=Cardiac}

How old does my dog have to be? One year of age. Preliminary testing may be done at a younger age, but a dog will not be eligible to receive an OFA number unless they are examined after one year of age. Innocent murmurs may be detected in puppies younger than 12 weeks, so it is recommended to have any preliminary testing done after 12 weeks of age.

Who can do the testing? Your regular vet can perform the cardiac evaluation. You may also choose to use a board certified cardiologist.

Where can I find board certified specialists?

It is possible to find health clinics at dog shows around the country that have specialists available to perform the examinations at reduced rates.

If you cannot find a health clinic at a show that is convenient for you, you may also choose to make an appointment with a local specialist at their veterinary clinic to do the testing at your convenience.

Here is a list of board certified cardiologists listed by state: http://www.cavalierhealth.org/Cardiologists.htm#Click_on_a_state

How can I find out about upcoming clinics?

Some all breed and specialty dog shows and training clubs offer health testing- check premium lists and club newsletters for details. Many of the Kennel clubs and training clubs that put on dog shows have the same health clinics every year so once you learn about the annual health clinics in your area you can plan in advance to attend each year.
Here is a very well maintained directory of upcoming health clinics around the country listed by state: http://www.cavalierhealth.org/health_clinics.htm

OFA's listing of upcoming clinics: http://www.offa.org/calendar.html

Where do I get the OFA forms to bring to the vet?

You can print them out from the OFA site: http://www.offa.org/cardappbw.pdf

Does my chihuahua need to be microchipped in order to have the vet fill out the OFA form? There is no requirement for permanent id when submitting test results. However, if a dog without permanent identification in the form of tattoo or microchip is issued an OFA number, that number will clearly indicate whether or not that dog had permanent id and whether or not it was verified at the time of the exam.

The AKC does require dogs to be permanently identified in the form of tattoo or microchip in order to include their results in the AKC database and on certified pedigrees.

CHIC also requires permanent id in the form of tattoo or microchip and any dog without permanent id at the time of examination will not be issued a CHIC number.

How do I register the results? Bring an OFA form with you when you have your dog's heart examined and have the veterinarian fill out the form at the time of the exam. Make sure the OFA form is fully completed and send it along with a copy of your dog's registration papers and fee required to the address listed on the application.

How is the heart tested? The veterinarian listens to the heart with a stethoscope. If a murmur is found, further diagnostic testing will be recommended such as ultrasound, echocardiography with Doppler, etc.

Can a bitch's heat cycle affect cardiac testing results?

According to specialist James N. Ross, Jr. PhD, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM "Probably not...Rarely, a bitch in heat could become anemic and that could result in a heart murmur that could be detected on auscultation. An echocardiogram would confirm that such a murmur is "physiologic" however, and the dog would be "cleared" if so."

Jean Betkowski DVM, DACVIM says "Being in season can affect the auscultation. They retain water (like us) and this can make them more prone to having a flow murmur or perhaps a mild mitral murmur. They certainly can still sound okay but if it's abnormal at that time and it's just a mild murmur, they can be rechecked when they come out of season to see if its still there."

According to Brad Moses, DVM, DACVIM "My reading and training background have indicated several things can lead to transient, physiologic murmurs which could give false readings on breeding exams. The list includes pregnancy, lactation, estrus, anemia, hyperthyroidism and fever. These would potentially cause false positives so if a bitch had no murmur it would not have to be checked again after going out of season. I would think estrus and lactation are probably the least likely to cause a false positive."

{tab=CERF}

CERF EYE TESTING

How old does my dog have to be? There is no minimum age for CERF certification, but CHIC numbers are only issued to Chihuahuas that were tested after 12 months of age.

Who can do the testing? Only a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist can do CERF testing.

Where can I find board certified specialists?

It is possible to find health clinics at dog shows around the country that have specialists available to perform the examinations at reduced rates.

How can I find out about upcoming clinics?

CERF listing of upcoming clinics: http://www.vmdb.org/upcomingCERFclinics.html

Where do I get the forms to bring to the vet? CERF forms are supplied only by the examining veterinarian

Does my chihuahua need to be microchipped in order to have the vet fill out the form? There is no requirement for permanent id when submitting test results. However, if a dog without permanent identification in the form of tattoo or microchip or DNA testing is issued a CERF number, that number will clearly indicate whether or not that dog had permanent id at the time of examination.

The AKC does require dogs to be permanently identified in the form of tattoo or microchip in order to include their results in the AKC database and on certified pedigrees.

CHIC also requires permanent id in the form of tattoo or microchip and any dog without permanent id at the time of examination will not be issued a CHIC number.

How do I register the results? Request that the examining veterinarian fill out a CERF form at the time of the exam. Make sure the form is fully completed and send it along with a copy of your dog's registration papers and fee required to the address listed on the application.

How are the eyes tested? Drops are placed in the eyes to dilate the pupils and the dog's eyes are examined in a dark room. The exam consists of indirect ophthalmoscopy (shining a bright light into the eye) and biomicroscopy (examination with a special microscope).

Can a bitch's heat cycle affect CERF results and it safe to perform the exam during pregnancy? There is no interference from being in season, pregnant or lactating to the eye exam. The CERF exam and the dilating drops have no adverse effect on pregnant bitches

{tab=OFFA Patella Luxation}

OFFA Application - Patella Luxation

The dog is examined awake (chemical restraint is not recommended) and classified by the attending veterinarian according to the application and general information instructions. The veterinarian then completes the application form indicating the the results of the dog's patella evaluation.

The application and fee can then be mailed to OFA. The attending veterinarian and owner is encouraged to submit all evaluations, whether normal or abnormal, for the purpose of completeness of data. There is no OFA fee for entering an abnormal evaluation of the patella in the data bank.

A breed database number will be issued to all dogs found to be normal at 12 months of age or older. The breed database number will contain the age at evaluation and it is recommended that dogs be periodically reexamined as some luxations will not be evident until later in life.

Preliminary Evaluations

Evaluation of dogs under 12 months of age is encouraged if the owner desires to breed at this age. The most opportune time to gather breeding data is at 6-8 weeks of age prior to the puppy's release to the new owner.

{tab=CHIC}

What is CHIC?

CHIC stands for Canine Health Information Center. It is a centralized canine health database that collects health information on individual animals from multiple sources- namely OFA and CERF.

Parent clubs decide on what testing should be required for their breed to receive a CHIC number.

What health testing is recommended for Chihuahuas? OFA Cardiac, OFA Patella and CERF eye testing are recommended for all Chihuahuas.

What is the difference between OFA/ CERF and CHIC? OFA is a database which specializes in orthopedic issues and other genetic diseases. CERF specializes in eye disorders.

CHIC is a database that collects information from all other databases in one convenient place and organizes that information based on breed. Health testing results are also conveniently displayed for all relatives of dogs in the database that have been health tested.

How do I get a CHIC number on my Chihuahua? Your Chihuahua must have permanent identification in the form of microchip or tattoo to be eligible. Have patella, cardiac and CERF eye testing done on your Chihuahua and register the patella/ cardiac results with OFA and eye testing results with CERF. There is no need to apply for a CHIC number; it is generated automatically when results are submitted to OFA and CERF and a certificate will be mailed to you. There is no fee for a CHIC number.

Does a CHIC number mean my dog passed all the tests? No, it does not mean the test results were normal. It simply means that the examinations were performed and the results were registered. The results of the testing will be public.

Why is a CHIC number important if even a dog with luxating patellas and a heart murmur can get a CHIC number?

A CHIC number is not an indicator of good health, but rather an indication that a dog has had all applicable health testing performed and the breeder has shared those results in order to help other breeders make informed decisions and improve the health of the breed.

CCA CHIC PROGRAM

CCA believes that breeders should keep themselves informed in the areas of dog health and genetics and to carefully screen all breeding stock for hereditary faults or disqualifying defects, removing any questionable animals from their breeding program. This includes cardiac, patella, and eye testing as recommended by the Canine Health Foundation's CHIC program.

Recognition will be given to owners of Chihuahuas who participate in the Canine Health Information Center's data base and receive a CHIC number. Members will receive one lapel pin per member, and non-members will receive a certificate.

After members receive their pin, the dogs name will be read at the next general meeting at the Fall Nationals.