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Wraith
Nemo
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The What, How, and Why of the Tests listed
in the Zone Database
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Test--Hips:
Test can be OFA Prelim (under the age of 24 months) or OFA Certified (24
months or older) or PennHIP (PennHIP says it is accurate as young as 4
months).
Screening for: OFA hip testing looks to classify the hips as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Borderline, Mild, Moderate or Severely (dysplastic). In addition, the report will annotate, if present, subluxation, remodeling of femoral head/neck, osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease (DJD), shallow acetabula, acetabular rim edge change; unilateral pathology; transitional vertebra; spondylosis and “other.” PennHIP uses a measuring system to assign a “score” to the hips based on laxity using the breed average as a median point (in our case .41 last I heard) and calculating the percentile the scores fall into based on all Shilohs measured to date. The PennHIP report will also annotate DJD, cavitation (air bubbles) and “Other Findings.” Why do it: To determine whether or not the dog has hip dysplasia. This is especially important for breeding dogs because hip dysplasia has an inherited component. It has been proven that breeding good hips reduces the occurrence of hip dysplasia. Breeders can use PennHIP or OFA prelims to screen breeding stock early. And it is also prudent for breeds prone to this disease to be tested early so that owners may avail themselves of alternatives such as a triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO).
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Test—Elbows:
Test is OFA Prelim (under the age of 24 months) or Certified (24 months or
older).
Screening for: OFA elbow testing looks to classify elbows as Negative for Elbow Dysplasia or assign a grade of Elbow Dysplasia from Grade I through Grade III (indicating left and right or both). In addition the report will annotate, if present, DJD, ununited anconeal process (UAP); fragmented coronoid process (FCP) or osteochondrosis (OCD). Why do it: To determine whether or not the dog has elbow dysplasia. Again, important for breeding dogs because elbow dysplasia also has an inherited component and it has been proven that breeding good elbows reduces the occurrence of elbow dysplasia. Early screening can afford some alternatives depending on the condition and its progression. With our breed, as big as these dogs get, joint issues are important to quality of life especially to those of us who work our dogs or like to compete. It is heartbreaking to train for year(s) only to have a dog’s career cut short because of joint problems. Anything we can do to minimize the risk of joint problems is important to all of us. |
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Test—Cardiac:
Test is OFA and a dog
can be certified for two years at 12 months or older. OFA defines “normal”
as: “a phenotypically normal dog is defined as:
1. One without a cardiac murmur -or- 2. One with an innocent heart murmur that is found to be otherwise normal by virtue of an echocardiographic examination which includes Doppler echocardiography “ Screening for: OFA looks to classify the dog as “normal” or Grade 1-6 (the following taken from OFA’s web site: http://www.offa.org/cardiacgrade.html): Grade 1: A very soft murmur only detected after very careful auscultation Grade 2: A soft murmur that is readily evident Grade 3: A moderately intense murmur not associated with a palpable precordial thrill (vibration) Grade 4: loud murmur; a palpable precordial thrill is not present or is intermittent Grade 5: A loud cardiac murmur associated with a palpable precordial thrill; the murmur is not audible when the stethoscope is lifted from the thoracic body wall Grade 6: A loud cardiac murmur associated with a palpable precordial thrill and audible even when the stethoscope is lifted from the thoracic wall Other descriptive terms may be indicated at the discretion of the examiner; these include such timing descriptors as: proto(early)-systolic, ejection or crescendo-decrescendo, holo-systolic or pan-systolic, decrescendo, and tele(late)-systolic and descriptions of subjective characteristics such as: musical, vibratory, harsh, and machinery.” Why do it: It is currently the best method we have for screening congenital heart defects in Shilohs, and it should be done by a cardiologist (even though OFA does not require it for certification, they do advise using a cardiologist). It isn’t full proof as OFA says on their site. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between innocent murmurs and hereditary defects. But it should screen out dogs with definitive murmurs or alert owners to have additional tests done. Whatever we can do to protect the future gene pool is important especially since we have heart conditions in Shilohs. |
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Test—CERF (eye test):
This test is sponsored by the
Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) and is performed by a canine
ophthalmologist. A dog can be certified for two years at 12 months or
older. It is a set of tests designed to check for hereditary eye
conditions.
Screening for: It is the best method we have to screen for inherited eye conditions such as Pannus or Corneal Dystrophy—two ailments common to GSDs and Shilohs. To protect the future gene pool, we want to minimize occurrences of inherited conditions. Pannus can blind a dog if it is not diagnosed and treated in time. It is also an expensive condition to treat and requires lifetime medication. What it shows: If you dog tests normal (and the canine ophthalmologist can usually tell you on the spot whether your dog will pass or not) then your dog “is certified to be free of inheritable eye disease” and considered safe to breed regarding eye disorders for up to two years. |
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Test—Thyroid:
This OFA test looks for Autoimmune thyroiditis the most common cause of
primary hypothyroidism in dogs. A dog can be certified at 12 months but it
is recommended this test be done yearly until the dog turns 4 years. After
that it is recommended a dog be tested every other year.
Screening for: It is the best method we have for screening dogs for the inherited condition of hypothyroidism, a condition seen in GSDs and Shilohs. What it shows: The presence or absence of thyroglobulin autoantibody formation which is the indicator for the disease. Again, this test is not a guarantee because onset can occur later in life but it does afford a level of screening to minimize breeding affected dogs. And the marker “usually occurs prior to the occurrence of clinical signs. Therefore, periodic retesting is recommended.” |
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Test--Serum Trypsin-Like
Immunoreactivity (TLI):
“Trypsinogen is
synthesized exclusively by the acinar cells pancreas, and measurement of
this zymogen by assay of TLI provides an excellent indirect index of
pancreatic function.” (quoted from the Texas A&M Lab site:
http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/gilab/TLI.shtml).
Screening for: Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy (PAA), the leading cause of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in GSDs, Rough-Coated Collies and Shilohs. What it shows: The level of Trypsinogen in the bloodstream. Normal values are defined as 5 to 35 ug/L. Values between 2.5 and 4.99 are considered the “gray area” and some experts say EPI will eventually result, some say it is an indication of subclinical pancreatic disease. Values 2.5 or below are considered biochemically positive for EPI. EPI is considered to be an autosomal recessive inheritance factor so screening affecteds from the gene pool is very important. A negative TLI is no guarantee—a dog can test negative one week and positive the next week, month or year but it is the most efficient and reliable method we have today to screen for EPI. IMO breeding stock should be tested prior to each breeding as a precautionary measure. EPI is an expensive disease to treat and requires life-long supplements. In addition, 20% of affected dogs do not respond to treatment.
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Test--Brucellosis
(breeding dogs only):
Brucellosis in dogs is caused by bacterium called Brucella canis. This
particular strain is seen in dogs but is thought to be Zoonotic
(transmissible to humans). It is recommended that breeding dogs be tested
as dogs can carry the bacteria with no visible symptoms until infertility
issues present themselves (aborted litters, sterility, etc.,). Brucellosis
can be transmitted through contact with infected body fluids, during
mating, through maternal milk, and possibly even airborne.
Screening for: A bacterium called Brucella canis. What it shows: The blood sample will show either negative or positive for the bacteria. It is recommended if you get a positive response that you have another test run especially if the test is run “in house.” It is suggested that your best bet is to have the test done through a competent laboratory. Cornell University is the acknowledged expert in the field of Brucellosis canis testing. |
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Test-- Adult Temperament:
Temperament is very inheritable although it is acknowledged that
environment also plays a part in developing a dog’s temperament. To
safeguard our gene pool and reduce risk, it is highly recommended that
breeding dogs especially but also pet dogs to assist with littermate
information be temperament tested as adults. Currently registries accept a
passing score on a Canine Good Citizen (CGC), a passing score from the
American Temperament Test Society (ATTS), or tests that are variations
conducted by clubs or registries. We recommend the ATTS over the CGC as it
is our belief the CGC is more of a test of obedience than temperament.
Screening for: Stable temperaments consisting of strong nerves and high thresholds (or discovering problematic temperaments). What it shows: A true temperament test is designed to measure various aspects of a dog’s temperament including noise sensitivity, stability, shyness, aggressiveness, protectiveness and self-preservation when confronted by a threat. It is not about how obedient a dog is, but how the dog instinctively reacts to stressors. This insight is invaluable for breeders who are dedicated to protecting their breeding programs and the breed itself. The information is also important to pet owners in ascertaining their pet’s behavioral strengths and weaknesses. |
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