Born Anew or Again from the N factor

[makjamz]

I am pretty amazed at my 7yr old import Matcho vom Burgthann daughter. She is like a a new dog - amazing zeal and energy. She acts like a puppy.

Did the Cardiac - w/ Cardiologist in 2003 - was Normal. Did not send it in. Also did the eyes on her at 2.5 yr - Normal - not sent in as well.

Do we need to do another CERF? Obviously we will be sending all these health clearance documents in, now we have them under one roof!

[frontierrots]

I usually like to do 2 CERF's as an adult just to confirm status. Some people do yearly but the optho vet we use says two as an adult for this breed is fine

[makjamz]

Thank you for the information.
cheers,

[dawnadkins]

Corect me if I'm wrong, but a CERF is only valid for one year. I believe I read that on the OFA website, or the link to the eye information. Now, I guess if you have it doen twice and nothing comes up, then you can probably say yes, my dog is clear. But the actual certification is only valid for a year.

***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. *** from the Cerf page

CERF - Canine Eye Registration Foundation

Dawn

[frontierrots]

CERF certificates are issued on a 1 year basis. That is because by far the majority of breeds with eye issues, have those (like PRA) that can appear at any time in the dog's life. Like most bird dogs and herding dogs. They are checked yearly

Some breeds have eye issues that are slow and checking every 2-3 years is fine. Like Shiba Inu

However some breeds have eye afflictions that for the most part either are or are not there once they hit adulthood. Rottweilers for example.

The well known and well respected ACVO Dr that I use for CERF certifications has told me EVERY year that he sees me (which is pretty regularly because I have Rottweilers and Shiba Inu) that Rottweilers only really need to be checked once or twice after they become adults. That there are some VERY uncommon eye issues that may occur later but by and large all Rotts should be able to be cleared with 1 or 2 exams as an adult

THAT is why on the OFA website that even though the actual certificate is valid for just a year, they don't remove expired ones. because in some breeds like Rotts the exam itself is still valid even though the certificate is not and it is up to the fancier to know how to interpet this "expired certificate"

[Sharon Marples]

In my opinion, CERF should be repeated at least every two years, especially if the dog/bitch is being used for breeding purposes. Even tho they leave the certificates showing, in my "eyes" I think every other year is not too much.