[ SHOWGSD-L ] OFA Cardiac Requirements
- From: Katie Halfen <kthalfen@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: gsd list <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:26:01 -0500
Just a quick explaination on OFA cardiac testing because I do these. The
certification can be done by a general practitioner, a specialist, or by a
cardiologist. If your dog is to get certified by a general practitioner like
myself, the dog is auscultated and as long as no murmur or abnormal heart rate
or rhythm is heard, then I can certify your dog's heart. If I auscultate a
murmur or abnormal rhythm then the dog is required to see the cardiologist to
get OFA certified. A dog with a heart murmur can only be certified if an
echocardiogram is done on the dog and shows it has an innocent murmur. This
type of murmur is caused by an increased or decreased blood flow, but is not
related to congenital heart disease. In these cases the ultrasound of the
heart verifies the dog does not have aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, a
valvular defect, regurgitation of blood through one of the valves, PDA, septal
defects, etc. Any of these congenital abnormalities would be picked up on
ultrasound by the cardiologist and the dog would fail the test. The cardiac
test is taylored to the breed as well, some dogs require an EKG and exercise
tests to become certified. We are lucky in German Shepherds to have heart
defects that cause murmurs and can easily be screened. Hope that clears up the
question about why a dog with a murmur could get certified.
Katie Halfen DVM
Casamoko Shepherds
www.casamoko.com
>
>
> On Dec 11, 2011, at 7:36 AM, _Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxxx
> (mailto:Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx) wrote:
>
>
>
> Good answer Kay although I must say I was disappointed w/ the OFA cardiac
> test and if one were to be honest, the thyroid test should probably be done
> every year to mean anything. (I just did a 10 1/2 year old, his skin was
> getting dry, came back fine, naturally didn't bother to send it in).
>
> The reason I was disappointed w/ the whole cardiac thing? I learned
> (through a lister, but it's actually true) that a dog w/ a murmur can still
> get
> (cardiac) certified. Scratching my head wondering what's the point????
>
> I'd know at 6 weeks if a puppy had a problem. I don't know any serious
> breeder who would keep let alone breed a dog w/ a heart issue. The last time
> I had a dog at the vet I had the vet sign their cert, verify their chip #
> and sent it along to OFA w/ $15. I guess I'll start doing that, but again,
> for ME, pretty worthless.
>
> Kathy, member GSDCA, DVGSDC
> Celebrating generations of Dual Titled TC'd Champions
> visit _http://www.pinehillgsds.com/_ (http://www.pinehillgsds.com/)
>
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