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Eromit Labrador Retrievers
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Canine Health Testing
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| Who Does Health Testing and why? |
certain number of hereditary illnesses - but by
certain number of hereditary illnesses - but by
ensuring only healthy, certified animals are bred,
breeders can reduce or eliminate hereditary
problems, and ensure that their puppies live long
happy lives.
happy lives.
Interested puppy buyers should ensure that the
breeders they select are performing all necessary
health tests suitable for their breed - this gives
you the best possible chance for a healthy pup.
This page contains information on testing and
clearances that all Labradors should have done
prior to being bred.
certain number of hereditary illnesses - but by
ensuring only healthy, certified animals are bred,
breeders can reduce or eliminate hereditary
problems, and ensure that their puppies live long
happy lives.
happy lives.
Interested puppy buyers should ensure that the
breeders they select are performing all necessary
health tests suitable for their breed - this gives
you the best possible chance for a healthy pup.
This page contains information on testing and
clearances that all Labradors should have done
prior to being bred.
Health Tests for Labrador Retrievers
According to the Canine Health Information Centre, all Labrador Retrievers being used in a breeding program
should have their hips and elbows tested for dysplasia and their eyes checked against genetic defect. Tests for
CNM and EIC are also listed as optional, and they are very new tests, but they are considered mandatory among
reputable breeders. Keep reading for detailed information on each test.
should have their hips and elbows tested for dysplasia and their eyes checked against genetic defect. Tests for
CNM and EIC are also listed as optional, and they are very new tests, but they are considered mandatory among
reputable breeders. Keep reading for detailed information on each test.
Hip Dysplasia
Breeders can help to eliminate hip dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers by performing X-rays on adult dogs (2 years
of age or older) prior to breeding, and having those x-rays evaluated by a professional. Certifying bodies include
the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals -OFA (this is the most common), PennHip, Ontario Veterinary College
(OVC) or Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Dogs who have been certified will receive a certificate and an
identifying number. Ideally only dogs rated Excellent or Good should be bred. Ask to see the certificate or check
online to confirm that the parent dogs of your litter have been certified.
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: rated OFA "Good" LR-176469G61F-VPI online or certificate
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow Dyplasia is similar to Hip Dysplasia in that it is caused by several genes and environmental factors. If
elbow dyslpasia is present in a dog, they will present lameness in either one or both elbows of the front leg and
can be severely hampered by arthritis as they age. The odds of producing a puppy with elbow dysplasia can be
reduced by breeding only dogs with OFA rated Normal elbows. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals evaluates
x-rays of each elbow and will grade them either Normal or Dysplastic. Ask your breeder to see certification or
check the certificate's number online to verify that parent dogs have been tested for this disease.
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: rated OFA "Normal" LR-EL40216F61-VPI online or certificate
elbow dyslpasia is present in a dog, they will present lameness in either one or both elbows of the front leg and
can be severely hampered by arthritis as they age. The odds of producing a puppy with elbow dysplasia can be
reduced by breeding only dogs with OFA rated Normal elbows. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals evaluates
x-rays of each elbow and will grade them either Normal or Dysplastic. Ask your breeder to see certification or
check the certificate's number online to verify that parent dogs have been tested for this disease.
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: rated OFA "Normal" LR-EL40216F61-VPI online or certificate
| Did you know? It is rare but even dogs with Good or Excellent rated hips can produce dysplastic puppies. This could be due to environmental factors. You can help improve your odds by making sure your puppy is a lean healthy weight, and by preventing them from jumping from high surfaces while they are young and growing. HOWEVER, if both parent dogs have tested 'clear' for Exercise-Induced Collapse, then there is no possible way for any of their puppies to get it. The same is true for CNM, because both of these diseases are cause by only one gene. |
Eye Diseases
There are several types of genetic eye diseases in Labs. In fact, most breeds have some sort of genetic eye
disease such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Eye problems can vary in nature but in the worst cases dogs will
end up permanently blind. Breeding dogs should have their eyes examined by a board-certified optomologist for
signs of eye problems prior to breeding. Dogs whose eyes are free from signs of genetic disease will be issued
a clearance certificate and number by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF). These certificates indicate
that at the time of exam, the dog did not have any symptoms of genetic eye irregularities - however, because
there are so many different types of eye problems, puppies could still inherit a rare defect. Regular (annual)
re-examination is recommended. Dogs can have their eyes examined at any time after 7 weeks and the
certificate issued is considered valid for one year. Ensure your puppy's parents have both had a CERF exam and
you will increase the likelihood that your puppy will have healthy eyes.
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: CERF- Clear LR-52713 online or certificate
disease such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Eye problems can vary in nature but in the worst cases dogs will
end up permanently blind. Breeding dogs should have their eyes examined by a board-certified optomologist for
signs of eye problems prior to breeding. Dogs whose eyes are free from signs of genetic disease will be issued
a clearance certificate and number by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF). These certificates indicate
that at the time of exam, the dog did not have any symptoms of genetic eye irregularities - however, because
there are so many different types of eye problems, puppies could still inherit a rare defect. Regular (annual)
re-examination is recommended. Dogs can have their eyes examined at any time after 7 weeks and the
certificate issued is considered valid for one year. Ensure your puppy's parents have both had a CERF exam and
you will increase the likelihood that your puppy will have healthy eyes.
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: CERF- Clear LR-52713 online or certificate
Centronuclear Myophathy (CNM)
CNM is a devastating disease that causes the affected puppy to lose muscle mass, coordination, and it is
terminal. It is heart breaking to watch a CNM puppy struggle to survive. CNM is a disease that is caused by the
mutation of one gene. In order to be affected, a dog needs two copies of the gene (one inherited from each
parent.) Dogs who have one copy of the gene will not show symptoms of the disease but may pass a 'bad gene'
onto their offspring. Only dogs who test 'clear' for CNM should be bred. Ensure that your breeder only uses CNM -
clear breeding stock and you will not have to worry about this problem at all!!
CNM testing is done at a laboratory in France. (Click HERE to be directed to their site). Cheek swabs are taken
by your vet and sent to the testing lab. Dogs who are not affected and can NOT pass the disease along are listed
here on their CNM white-list and are issued a certificate with a clearance number (note: all dogs listed on this
site have tested CLEAR).
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: CNM-clear LR-CNM08-785-F-PIV online or certificate
terminal. It is heart breaking to watch a CNM puppy struggle to survive. CNM is a disease that is caused by the
mutation of one gene. In order to be affected, a dog needs two copies of the gene (one inherited from each
parent.) Dogs who have one copy of the gene will not show symptoms of the disease but may pass a 'bad gene'
onto their offspring. Only dogs who test 'clear' for CNM should be bred. Ensure that your breeder only uses CNM -
clear breeding stock and you will not have to worry about this problem at all!!
CNM testing is done at a laboratory in France. (Click HERE to be directed to their site). Cheek swabs are taken
by your vet and sent to the testing lab. Dogs who are not affected and can NOT pass the disease along are listed
here on their CNM white-list and are issued a certificate with a clearance number (note: all dogs listed on this
site have tested CLEAR).
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: CNM-clear LR-CNM08-785-F-PIV online or certificate
Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
Exercise-Induced Collapse is a disease of retrievers that causes them to collapse when they are over excited.
Occasionally these collapses can lead to death. EIC is inherited in the exact same way that CNM is passed
along -the puppy needs to get one 'bad gene' from each parent in order to be affected with this disease. It is
important to note that in the case of both EIC and CNM, parent dogs who are carriers (with only one bad gene)
will NOT show syptoms of the disease - but if bred to another carrier dog, they can produced diseased puppies.
Therefore, even dogs with no symptoms should be tested to be on the safe side.
Breedings where both parents are Clear of the disease will have 0% chance of producing diseased puppies and
are your safest bet - particularly if you think you may want to breed the dog in the future . Do not buy a puppy from
a breeder who hasn't done this clearance. (NOTE: "Carrier" puppies are considered healthy because they will not
show symptoms of the disease, and it is safe to purchase a known carrier puppy.)
EIC testing is done at a laboratory in Minnesota (Click HERE to be directed to their site). Cheek swabs are taken
by your vet and sent to the testing lab. Dogs who are "Clear" of the disease are rated as 'normal' and are issued
a certificate and clearance number by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: EIC - clear LR-EIC77/62F-VPI online or certificate
Occasionally these collapses can lead to death. EIC is inherited in the exact same way that CNM is passed
along -the puppy needs to get one 'bad gene' from each parent in order to be affected with this disease. It is
important to note that in the case of both EIC and CNM, parent dogs who are carriers (with only one bad gene)
will NOT show syptoms of the disease - but if bred to another carrier dog, they can produced diseased puppies.
Therefore, even dogs with no symptoms should be tested to be on the safe side.
Breedings where both parents are Clear of the disease will have 0% chance of producing diseased puppies and
are your safest bet - particularly if you think you may want to breed the dog in the future . Do not buy a puppy from
a breeder who hasn't done this clearance. (NOTE: "Carrier" puppies are considered healthy because they will not
show symptoms of the disease, and it is safe to purchase a known carrier puppy.)
EIC testing is done at a laboratory in Minnesota (Click HERE to be directed to their site). Cheek swabs are taken
by your vet and sent to the testing lab. Dogs who are "Clear" of the disease are rated as 'normal' and are issued
a certificate and clearance number by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
See example for Bit of Shine Engl: EIC - clear LR-EIC77/62F-VPI online or certificate
Affected=diseased Carrier = healthy but could pass the disease on to next generation Clear = Healthy and no chance of diseased offspring. BEWARE OF THESE BREEDINGS: Unknown x Unknown = ??? Dogs of unknown status should not be bred. They could produce affected puppies. Affected x Affected = All puppies will be affected by the disease. Affected x Carrier Half of the puppies will be affected by the disease and the other half will be healthy but carriers. Carrier x Carrier = Some of these puppies may be affected, some will be healthy but carriers, and some will be healthy and clear. Breedings that will produce only healthy puppies: Clear x Clear Clear x Carrier Clear x Affected (as long as one parent dog has been tested clear, the puppies will be healthy!) |
