| Winter Sky Golden Retrievers |
Health Testing Because most genetic defects are not visible to the naked eye and cannot be detected during the course of a normal vet exam we screen our parents for genetic disorders as follows: Hips and Elbows OFA or Penn Hip X-rays done under sedation, these are graded by a board certified Radiologist and only dogs clear of Hip Dysplasia are used for breeding. This does not mean that none of the offspring will have Hip Dysplasia but with two clear parents the odds of their puppy having Hip Dysplasia is about 3%. On the other hand, if one parent dog has Hip Dysplasia, as much as 30% of the litter can also be born with it. Its not a guarantee but its our best shot as reducing the risk. Eyes A thorough eye exam is done by a Board Certified Ophthalmologist who checks for abnormalities of the eye that are genetic in nature and can affect vision. This is called a CERF exam and should be done yearly as eyes can change over time. Heart A complete cardiac exam is done by a vet or Cardiologist which checks for murmurs and abnormal rhythms. If there is any doubt then an Echo Cardiogram is done to rule out problems with the heart. We cannot promise that no pup produced by us will ever have a genetic problem but we use due diligence to screen for the most common ones in our breeding dogs and parents that don't pass testing and spayed and live out their lives as pets. We do promise to support you and offer you a replacement puppy if yours is ever diagnosed with a serious genetic illness. We do not ask you to return your original puppy that is part of your family. You can find out more information on inherited disorders on the OFA website. |
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