So here's
the scoop on all those green G!s:
Like many breeds, Poodles have a number of
genetically transmitted health conditions to which they may be
susceptible. To reduce the incidence of these genetic
conditions in litters, conscientious breeders have their
breeding stock health screened to determine whether their animals are
affected. These breeders are indicated by a green G!
next to their listing in the indexes, and on their page are the
names of their poodles who are their most current or upcoming
litterparents, live-linked to each dog's health testing results
reported in the OFA and CHIC online databases.. The most
common conditions for which poodles should be tested are:
HD
= Hip Dysplasia :
affects hip joints, resulting in pain,
lameness and degenerative joint changes. The Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals (OFA) tracks results of veterinary
examinations for hip dysplasia; you can search at http://www.offa.org/search.html
for results for a particular dog.
SA
= Sebaceous Adenitis :
a skin condition in which sebaceous glands become inflamed,
resulting in scaling, odor and hair loss. Affliction can
vary from extremely mild to severe; poodles with subclinical
cases look completely normal, even though they have SA and can
pass it on to offspring. You can search at http://www.offa.org/search.html
for results for a particular dog.
PRA
= Progressive Retinal Atrophy :
a condition which results in retinal degeneration and blindness
in the affected dog. The Canine Eye Registration
Foundation (CERF) records examination findings by
board-certified veterinary opthalmologists on examined dogs,
which also include any other eye disease. You can verify
current annual certification at http://www.vmdb.org/verify.html
.
In addition, toys and miniatures can utilize Optigen
DNA testing for the PRCD form of PRA, which most commonly
afflicts these varieties. Results for Optigen testing are
also available at http://www.offa.org/search.html.
NOTE ABOUT "Optigen A by
parentage": Since Optigen's test
for PRCD is DNA-based, if both parents are clear for PRCD by an
"A" test result, they CAN'T pass on the gene for PRCD
to offspring. Thus, some toy poodles are now "Optigen
A by parentage" -- a wonderful benchmark of progress by
careful breeders against this form of genetically transmitted
eye disease.
vWD
= von Willebrand's disease :
a bleeding disorder resulting in unabated bleeding, either
spontaneous (from the membranes of nose, mouth or GI tract) or
resulting from wounds or surgery. von Willebrand's disease
is detectable by DNA testing performed by VetGen, so a potential
breeding dog can be certified as clear, or determined to be a
carrier or affected. You can search at http://www.offa.org/search.html
for results for a particular dog.
NOTE ABOUT "vWD clear by parentage":
This works like the notation under PRCD above -- if both parents
have tested genetically clear of vWD, they CAN'T pass it on to
their progeny. By breeding only from vWD clear parents,
conscientious breeders ensure that pups will not be affected.
Thyroid
:
just like people, dogs can suffer from hypothyroidism (underactive
thyroid). Common symptoms are obesity, hair loss, fatigue,
skin problems, and infertility. Hyperthyroidism
(overactive thyroid) is much rarer in dogs. You can search at
http://www.offa.org/search.html
for results for a particular dog.
PL
= Patellar Luxation :
"slipped stifles" are a common problem in small
breeds. In toy and miniature poodles, this is an inherited
structural
difference in the stifle (knee joint) that can lead to abnormal
gait, lameness, and degenerative joint disease. You can search at
http://www.offa.org/search.html
for results for a particular dog.
Poodles' testing
results may also be registered at the Canine Health
Information Center (CHIC), cross-reported on OFA's
database. You can search CHIC's online database at
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/search.html
.
To read more
about the role of canine health databases, click
here.
SO! -- should you take a green G!
or anybody's word for it? Not unless you want to run the
risk of heartbreak and lots of veterinary appointments.
When I got Windsor, his breeder sat me down and gave me
photocopies of test results on both his parents. I didn't
know what it was all about then, but once I learned, I was glad
that breeder walked me through it all.
Ask questions. A good breeder will be happy to tell you
that their dogs have been tested with favorable results, and
provide you with a multigeneration pedigree.
Confirm the dogs in that pedigree with the online databases when you can -- search for a
kennel name, for example, and all the tested dogs' results will
come up. Versatility
in Poodles has great questionnaires for breeders of standards,
miniatures
and toys
that will give you ideas for questions to ask. And
remember, a good, ethical breeder will want to interview you
as much as you want to interview them. A breeder who has
put this much effort into their breeding line will be particular
about where their carefully bred pups have their forever home.
The poodle is a great breed. With careful attention to
genetic health screening, it can be a great breed with a much lesser
incidence of these troubling conditions. When your curly
baby has lived to a respectable age in good health, you'll be
glad you took the extra time to ask about testing. |
