Diseases

Information about Diseases/Testing/Registeries

RESULTS FOR ANY TESTS ARE GENERALLY KNOWN WITHIN A MONTH, IF THE BREEDER STATES PENDING FOR LONGER THAN A MONTH, CHANCES ARE THE TEST HAS NOT BEEN DONE. I HAVE RECIEVED BOTH EIC AND CNM RESULTS IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS FROM SENDING OUT THE BLOOD/SWABS.

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) www.offa.org
OFA has the best orthopedic vets in the country working for them. They analyse many x-rays and are the leading authority on many structural problems in dogs.
     Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) This is degeneration or malformation of the hip joint. While there is nothing that can totally eliminate the risk of CHD, having both parents certified by OFA greatly reduces the chances. Some dogs can lead healthy lives with CHD, but some are crippled by it at an early age.
     Elbow Dysplasia (ED)/Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
     Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia (TVD)
OFA also offers DNA testing through labratories and a database to have all information in one place. They verify results with the labratories, so testing listed here is trustworthy.

Canine Eye Registration Foundation (Cerf) http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html
Board certified opthalmologists examine the dogs eyes for a variety of problems including cataracts, eyelid malformations, and other abnormalities of the canine eye.

Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) http://www.labradorcnm.com/
CNM is a recessive genetic disease that is very devistating. Having two copies of this gene causes the muscles not to form normally. A young puppy will appear normal, but may seem not as bouncy or seems to tire easily. As it gets older, the condition worsens, usually stabilizing to a dog that is very weak and cannot build muscle mass. Please visit the website for more information and videos of an affected dog. There is also a "White List" to verify the clear status of the dogs. There are a couple of well known labradors that were carriers of this disease, two of them being NFC's. Carriers of this disease are normal healthy dogs, so to avoid the risk of getting an affected puppy, make sure at least one parent has been tested and clear of the gene.

Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vdl/ourservices/canineneuromuscular/home.html
EIC is another recessive genetic disease that can have a big impact on the lives of the dog and it's owner. An affected dog, one with two copies of the gene will most likely have collapse episodes. We have had two that were affected, Hickory we were fortunate to never have an episode. The other that we had, would show signs of weakness leading to a collapse from just taking a stroll with him off lead. Please see the website above for more information. You can see a list of tested dogs on OFA's website by clicking here. It is a voluntary listing, so not all dogs are listed. Any dog that is listed as affected, both of their parents are carriers. There are several FC and NAFC carriers of this disease. Carriers of this disease are normal healthy dogs, so to avoid the risk of getting and affected puppy, make sure at least one parent has been tested and is clear of the gene.

Canine Epilepsy http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/
Labradors and other breeds do have epilepsy on occasion. If you have a dog with epilepsy, please consider donating blood and information to this research.