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.

General Cardiac Information

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

Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart diseases in dogs are malformations 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.

Developmental Inherited Cardiac Diseases (SAS and Cardiomyopathy)

Purpose of Cardiac Database

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

Canine Eye Registry Foundation

http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

HOW DOES CERF WORK?

After the painless examination of the dogs eyes, the A.C.V.O. Diplomate will complete the CERF form and indicate any specific disease(s) found. Breeding advice will be offered based on guidelines established for that particular breed by the genetics Committee of the A.C.V.O. Bear in mind that CERF and the A.C.V.O. are separate, but cooperating entities. The A.C.V.O only provides their professional services and expertise to ensure that uniform standards are upheld for the certification of dog's eyes with the CERF organization.

If the dog is certified to be free of heritable eye disease, you can then send in the completed owner's copy of the CERF form with the appropriate fee ($10.50 for the original CERF Registration, or $8.00 if it is a recertification). CERF has adopted a policy effective Jan. 1st, 2001 (by post mark) that a permanent identification in the form of microchip, tattoo or DNA profile will be needed for any dog to be registered with CERF. The certification is good for 12 months from the date of the exam and afterwards the dog must be reexamined and recertified to maintain its' registration with CERF.

Diagnosing Patellar Luxation

Examination and Certification

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.

Orthopedic Foundation For Animals

Genmark Genetic Testing

http://www.genmarkag.com/canine_faqs.php

Health Problems Associated with the Merle Allele

Both heterozygous merle (Mm) and homozygous double merle (MM) dogs may exhibit auditory and ophthalmic abnormalities including mild to severe deafness, increased intra ocular pressure, ametropia, microphthalmia and colobomas. The double merle genotype may also be associated with abnormalities of skeletal, cardiac and reproductive systems.

Genetic Testing for the Merle Gene

With the recent discovery of the merle gene, a genetic test is now available that allows for the identification of the merle allele. This technology is patent pending ( U.S. Serial # 60/708,589) and available exclusively thru GenMARK, the DNA technology service of VITA-TECH Laboratories LLC. By testing dogs for this genetic trait, it is possible to:

* allow identification of merle dogs to prevent undesirable merle to merle breeding

* classify harlequin Danes as single or double merle

* identify cryptic merles

If you have any questions, please contact us at:
Email: customerservice@GenMARKag.com
Phone: 877-766-3446
Fax: 608-310-9512