Eye and Heart Cert - how do you pay?

[mwaters]

I took my boy Eri in to have his heart and eyes certified at a clinic this weekend. He passed with flying colors but now I need to send the paperwork off to OFA and CERF...because I am in Canada I need to pay in US funds...

Question for you Canadians out there...How did you pay the OFA and CERF fees? US Money Order? Did you send your Credit Card number with the forms? I'm always a little freaked out about sending my credit card info in the mail...please let me know what has worked for you...

I wish they had a way to pay on a secure website!

Thanks
Melissa & Eri

[SamIam]

I have always just included a short signed letter in with my application authorizing the OFA to charge my credit card. Never had a problem. Seems much faster than going to the bank to get a money order. Being an impatient sort, I always like to get the paperwork off in the mail as soon as possible.

[GypsysMom]

I dont have an answer but I was wondering what is a good age to have the eyes and hips checked?? My new rotty is just 7 weeks but I read so many different answers some say 4 months some say 12 months

[mwaters]

Thanks SamIam...that is exactly what I did...I too am impatient...

Why get health certifications???

1. Peace of mind for me knowing my boy has no heart or eye problems.
2. Peace of mind for the breeder and stud dog owner knowing what their dogs are producing.
3. Good information for anyone researching the lines for their breeding program.
4. Someday MAYBE if all health clearances come back good AND all of the working titles come too he may just have a date with a really special girl that meets the same critieria. MAYBE if all the planets are in alignment
5. MOST IMPORTANT...testing is the only way we'll ever be able to reduce/eliminate the health concerns in our breed.

EDITED...

OK so I just re-read your post...BEST AGE is what you wanted to know...NOT WHY TEST...can you tell I'm busy today???

Hips 2 years...they have to be that age for OFA to certify them
My cardiologist said Eri was the perfect age for testing 15 months...not sure why
Eyes have to be done each year...

Melissa & Eri

[BostonRott]

OFA will offer a preliminary rating on hips and elbows prior to 2 years of age, but no certification number until 2 on hips and elbows. Therefore, most people wait until 2, unless the dog is going to be very active in some performance venue.

Heart and eyes can receive certification numbers after 1yr of age. Eyes need to be repeated yearly through at least 3 (the age what which juvenile cataracts usually no longer "show up").

[rottcrazed]

Hi Melissa,

I am sending off my stuff this week and I usually go to the bank and just do a US money draft which is as good as cash in the US (and in US funds, you pay the exchange at the bank).

We were there too - 7 puppies, 7 cleared hearts!!! YIPEE!

Kristi

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

Heart and eyes can receive certification numbers after 1yr of age. Eyes need to be repeated yearly through at least 3 (the age what which juvenile cataracts usually no longer "show up").

Actually, they will certify the eyes much younger. I did three pups from our last litter at 8 months of age and have their certificates in hand. I do agree that they need to be redone each year.

I believe someone told me that you could actually get certification on them as young as 8 weeks for the eyes but don't quote me on that.

[mwaters]

Yippeeee Kristi Congratulations!

Did you do eyes too? It was my first time...that glaucoma test was scary...more for me than for Eri...but holy cow...putting a lens right on his eyeball! Glad that is a one-time-only test! Also glad hubby was there to help me hold the wiggler still!

Melissa

[rottcrazed]

Thanks Melissa, congrats to you and Eri as well .....

A couple of the pups had eyes done - I didn't make it a must at this clinic since we now have a board certified opthamolgist in Calgary now and can do them anytime, but 2 pups were done and cleared and Momma Jewel cleared again. One of the pups did do the glaucoma too, and her owner said it was a strange test to watch done on a dog. I have had it done myself and did not like it at all .....

Kristi