~vWD~
Mmmmm, delicious!
What is vWD?
vWD stands for vonWillebrands Disease. This is a common inherited bleeding disorder. In vonWillebrand's Disease, the dog is missing a substance in it's blood, which helps the platelets form clots. Because of the deficient clotting of blood, dogs with vonWillebrand's disease have excessive bleeding upon injury. This would be similar to hemophilia in humans. Bleeding generally occurs after a wound or surgery. A dog with vonWillebrand's disease may also develop nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums, in the stomach, intestines, or bladder. Testing a dogs DNA for this disease ensures he/she does not have or carry the gene for the disease.
~COI~
Gimmie that!
What is a COI?
To lower the risk of passing on genetic abnormalities and/or illnesses, a dogs pedigree is researched to see how much inbreeding has taken place for many many generations. Doctors believe that you should strive for a
COI under 6%. This dramatically reduces the risk of health complications and a constricted gene pool.
~AKC DNA Results~
Snugglin' with Izzy in her kennel
What is AKC DNA?
AKC DNA is a sample of DNA (cells from inside the cheek) collected from the dog with a small bristle brush, and submitted to the AKC for testing. They test the sample to ensure that the dog claimed to be her Sire, is truly the Sire, and therefore this dog is 100% Standard Poodle, no other breeds found. The results come as several letters followed by a series of numbers and can be researched. Also, any purebred AKC stud dog that is used as a sire more than twice, is required by the AKC to have a DNA test and granted a DNA # before anymore litters can be registered under his name.
~CERF Results~
Toys or Food? Decisions, decisions.
What is CERF?
CERF stands for Canine Eye Registration Foundation. CERF was founded by a group of concerned, purebred owner/breeders who recognized that the quality of their dog's lives were being affected by heritable eye diseases of the Lens and Retina. CERF was then established in conjunction with veterinary ophthalmologists, with the goal of eliminating all heritable eye diseases.
~Thyroid or T4 Results~
Mom, you don't mind if I sleep here tonight...do you?
What is a Thyroid or T4 Test?
A Thyroid test is a small sample of blood collected from the dog that tests the function of the thyroid gland. If the test comes up abnormal, it is almost always hypothyroid in dogs. Dogs are rarely hyperthyroid. Hypothyroidism is caused when the body is not making enough thyroid hormone, this causes weight gain, infertility, hair loss, pot belly, fatigue, lethargy, dry itchy skin, and a low heart rate. Testing the dog for a thyroid problem is simple and effective and reduces the risk of future pups to be affected.
~OFA Results~
You talkin' to me?!?
What is OFA?
OFA stands for 'Orthopedic Foundation for Animals' . Credit for the formation of the OFA is generally attributed to John M. Olin. John Olin was an avid sportsman, hunter, and field trial participant. When hip dysplasia began to impact the performance of Olin’s dogs, he organized an initial meeting with representatives of the veterinary community to discuss means of limiting the disease. This ultimately led to the formation and incorporation of the OFA in 1966. Its initial mission: 'To provide radiographic evaluation, data management, and genetic counseling for canine hip dysplasia'. While the OFA continues to focus on hip dysplasia, today’s OFA Mission is, “To improve the health and well being of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic diseases,” this reflects the organization’s expansion into other inherited diseases.
Testing hips and elbows through the OFA consists of your dog being brought to your local veterinarian, sedated for x-ray positioning, and several different x-rays are taken with the dog in several different positions for the OFA Veterinarian to be able to clearly view the Acetabulum (hip joint), Head of the Femur, and Humero-Radial-Ulnar Joint (elbow joint).
Grading of hips/elbows fall into seven different categories. Those categories are "Normal" (which are grades of Excellent, Good and Fair), "Borderline", and "Dysplastic" (which are grades of Mild, Moderate, Severe) . Once the OFA has recieved and evaluated a dogs hips and elbows via x-rays, they will mail out a results certificate which every breeder should have on hand and ready to show to potential owners on demand.
*If "Normal" preliminary OFA results come back on any tested dog of "Fair", "Good", or "Excellent", on hips or elbows, another evaluation at or after 24 months old will not be needed. Recent studies by the OFA show that the above mentioned grades have no need to be re-evaluated because there is a very high percentage that they will maintain their grade as they age, 76.9% of "Fair" graded hips remain "Fair", 97.9% of "Good" graded hips remain "Good", and 100% of "Excellent" graded hips remain "Excellent" .
See this link to read the article: http://www.offa.org/hd_prelims.html *
Dogs with "Dysplastic" hips or elbows (which are rated Mild, Moderate or Severe), will display early signs of arthritis or hip dysplasia. This will cause your dog significant pain when rising, laying down, running, jumping, getting into the car or bed and any other activity. Some people describe it as 'they've aged before their time'. This can result in your dog prematurely being placed on NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-innflamatory drugs) such as 'Rimadyl', 'Deramaxx', or 'Previcoxx' and sometimes in severe cases, it's coupled with a narcotic pain killer such as 'Tramadol'. In rare/severe cases a total hip or elbow replacement (same as in humans) may be suggested by your veterinarian.
Dogs rated at ' 'Good' or 'Excellent' will have a much less likelyhood of having hip or elbow pain or problems and have an extremely high chance of passing on good/excellent hips and elbows to their offspring.
This is the goal of all responsible breeders.
Elbows: For elbow evaluations, there are no grades for a radiographically normal elbow.
The only grades involved are for abnormal elbows.
Kayenne 9 months
