Hip Dysplasia
The symptoms of Hip Dysplasia are abnormal gait and eventual lameness in the severe cases, while the mild cases can only be diagnosed by X-ray. This defect occurs primarily in the large breed of dogs and appears to be most common in German Shepherds. The difficulty is caused by a hereditary flaw. The ideal way to avoid hip dysplasia is to breed only those animals which are proven to be free from the defect by X-ray examination.

Cleft Palate
Cleft palate is a hereditary defect, resulting in the failure of the tissues of the palate to close. Puppies with this condition are not able to suck properly. It is recommended that such puppies should not be allowed to survive as surgery is not usually successful.

Luxation of the Patella
Luxation of the Patella is actually a dislocation of the kneecap which makes walking painful and results in lameness. Although temporary relief can be given, a lasting solution has not been found. This problem occurs most frequently in miniature and toy breeds. Research indicates that this defect is genetic and, therefore, affected dogs should never be used for breeding.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a form of partial blindness to complete blindness. The onset of symptoms occurs between three to nine months of age. Research has found that it is a recessive defect; thus, breeders should avoid using affected animals or their litter mates for breeding purposes.

Blindness and Epilepsy
Although the research into these defects is not yet completed, it is strongly urged that affected dogs and their litter mates not be used for breeding.

Cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism is a condition of the male which results in one or both testicles not descending into the scrotum. At birth, both testicles should be descended. If one has not descended normally (monochidism), it can often be brought down by administering doses of an anterior pituitary-like hormone. Surgery is required to correct this condition in the mature dog. Correction is recommended for several reasons; monochidism disqualifies the dog from the show ring; it may cause an unpleasant temperament, and it may become cancerous. A monochid dog may be fertile but should not be used for stud as this defect is believed to be hereditary. Those dogs having two undescended testicles are always sterile.

Paralysis of the Hindquarters
This is a condition found in long-backed dogs, such as the Dachshund. Research is studying this defect presently but, as yet, the cause is uncertain. It may be due to a genetic cause or stress placed on the spinal column.

Entropion
Entropion is the term used when one or both eyelids are turned in. This results in the eyelashes brushing the eye, which causes pain and irritation. If untreated, this condition can result in blindness; fortunately, it can be corrected surgically. However, surgery of this nature will disqualify the dog from competition in American Kennel Club dog shows or obedience trials.

Overshot Jaw
It is believed that this defect is caused by a single recessive gene and results in the incisor teeth of the lower jaw to be outside of the upper jaw.

Semi Lethal Genes
Merle coloring is an example of a semi lethal gene. When two merle colored animals are mated, those puppies in the litter receiving a MM will be deaf, blind, sterile, and have completely white color markings. The recessive mm results in the absence of the merle color. Only the heterozygous Mm results in a merle colored dog.

OFA Dysplasia Control Registry Procedure
It is important for the conscientious breeder to learn all he can possibly know about his breeding stock. The prevalence of hip dysplasia in pure bred dogs is a very real concern for all dedicated to the breeding of these fine animals. The Dysplasia Control Registry of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) offers breeders and practicing veterinarians expert unbiased evaluation of pelvic radiographs taken for interpretation of the status of the hip joints of mature and young adult animals.

When you have a dog X-rayed by your veterinarian, it is necessary for him to properly position the animal for good film evaluation. For most large dogs this requires a general anesthetic or heavy sedation to prevent motion and to allow for the proper extension of the hind limbs. It is advisable to make more than one film when the dog is anesthetized for future study and/or reference for comparative purposes. The manner in which additional films are produced depends upon the discretion of the vet making the film.

For submission of radiographs to the OFA, it is necessary to have the film permanently identified at the time the radiograph is taken with the following information: registered name, AKC registration number, birthdate, and owner's name. The veterinarian should identify the name of his hospital and date the film was taken on the radiograph. The age requirement for certification of a pelvic radiograph is one year or older since the dog's musculo-skeletal system is nearly mature at this time. For large, fast-growing breeds, an ideal time for taking pelvic films is the period between 18 and 30 months. It is necessary to submit with the radiograph a completed and signed application form, along with a service fee check for $10. Application forms are available from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc., 817 Virginia Avenue, Columbia, Missouri 65201.

When your film is received at the Missouri Office, the film is screened as to diagnostic quality and proper positioning. An application number is assigned to each film of satisfactory quality which has a completed and signed application form. Groups of films are then air mailed to three different veterinary radiologists, all of whom are specialists in diagnostic pelvic radiography and who are qualified specialists in radiology as certified by the American Board of Veterinary Radiology. When the first radiologist has completed his evaluation, the films are returned by air mail to the OFA with his interpretations for each film. The group of films is then sent to the second and third radiologists for their interpretations. None of the radiologists are aware of how the other radiologists evaluated the films until the final report has been sent to the owners to insure unbiased and objective evaluation. A consensus report is issued on the basis of the evaluations of the three radiological interpretations, and if the consensus is normal, a certificate of normalcy is issued to the owner of record and an OFA certificate number is issued for the dog, coded by breed. In the case of the dysplastic consensus, no certificate is issued and a confidential report is sent only to the owner and referring veterinarian. In the case of young dogs with marginal conformation of the hip joints, the radiologists may not be able to evaluate the true status of the hip joints and may request that another pelvic evaluation be made for comparative purposes. This may be an immediate request or an evaluation to be made when the dog has had additional time to mature. This re-evaluation is made without further charge.

A post card requesting permission to list the dog's name as being certified normal accompanies all normal certificates. If the owner desires to have his dog listed as normal by breed associations, he signs the card granting this permission and returns the signed card to the OFA. In all other cases, the results of the examination are held in strict confidence.

Films received for evaluation are retained by the OFA for research purposes and as a permanent record for future reference. This collection of radiographs, representing over 75 breeds, now comprises the largest single all breed collection in the world.