Educational

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

Hi All,

As you all know I am very passionate about these dogs and my concern for
over all health is some times a bit overwhelming with all I do
share...  Today is no exception.  As most of you know I have
talked to you about getting clearances done on your dogs so that you have
information and so I can as well have information.  I have now
changed my contract to reflect this and have written and added an
addendum to the contract and I wish to share this with all of you, in an
effort to continually nag and educate you! :-))  mostly educate you
but I do also enjoy nagging you... 

Here is a link to the addendum as well as a copy paste because I simply
am a nag and I do think that these things are important and some people
ignore links, I know because I do this sometimes myself!  The link:
http://www.briergoldens.com/pet_contract_addendum.htm

Gina :-))  
Please pose questions to the list on this so that I can enjoy more
nagging!!!

Addendum

section 3:

In order for the Seller to maintain a quality breeding program, Buyer will obtain an OFA evaluation of the dog, for hip and elbow dysplasia  by Thirty Six (36) months of age but not before 24 months of age.  An examination of the dogs eyes by a Board Certified Veterinarian Opthamologist and a cardiac evaluation by a Board Certified Veterinarian Cardiologist at buyers expense. Buyer will furnish copies of said reports to Seller as each report becomes available.  See addendum for detailed information and instructions.

Hips and elbows:

 24 months is the magic number, at 24 months [age 2 years] it is safe to say a dog is mature and the bones have stopped growing.  It is at or after 24 months that the OFA will furnish a final clearance and this is why I request that you x-ray between 24 and 36 months of age.  However preliminary reports from the OFA are as well acceptable and are usually done around 12 to 14 months but not before 12 months for elbows.  Should an event come up that would necessitate x-raying at a younger age than the normal 24 moths a prelim is acceptable but the following should still apply:

 While most veterinarians are capable of doing x-rays not all vets have the expertise to position for OFA films that will give the OFA the best films to work with to provide the truest reading.  As well as not all vets keep on file the forms that OFA requires to be submitted or know the procedures involved.  For this reason I request that you contact me for a referral to a vet that has both the experience, the know-how and the forms.  When ever possible I will assist you in any way I can to facilitate this in the most stream line of ways.  For example, if we can get 4 dogs to be available at the on the same day and time my vet will give a discount to each client.  Also when possible we can submit litter mate x-rays to OFA as a package and receive a discount there. 

Without a discount this is what you can expect to pay normally for hip/elbow evaluations:  Vet charges between $160.00 to $250.00 depending on the vet and if the vet sees the need for the dog to be anesthetized to obtain the films.  I prefer to not have my dogs anesthetized to be x-rayed and therefore use a vet who is well versed and does not require the dogs to be anesthetized as a general course.  Currently the cost of evaluation from the OFA is $35.00 and an additional $5.00 to have films returned.  I highly recommend paying the $5.00 to have the films returned to be placed in the dogs records as a baseline x-ray.  OFA destroys the films when they are finished with them.  Total cost could be as high as: $290.00 With a discount package we can expect to be at about $200.00 in my estimation at this time.

Why do you want to do this?  While I benefit form this my benefit is secondary to yours.  If a dog has a problem, finding out while the dog is young will dictate to you just what you need to do to work with the problem.  Supplements the dog should be on, exercise program, weight control, this information will be of use to you, to minimize further damage and discomfort for the dog down the road of life.  Or in some cases surgery can be an option.

Eyes:

All Golden Retrievers should have an eye exam by age 24 months to check for cataracts, and other heritable disorders.  Periodic exams can as well be a deterrent to severe problems such as Uveitis and Glaucoma which we are now beginning to recognize in this breed as serious problems that will cause severe pain and blindness.  Most general practice vets are not versed at doing these exams and quite often will dismiss symptoms that a specialized vet will pick up on right away.  Therefore it is my recommendation that by age 2 a base line evaluation be done by a board certified Ophthalmologist  and to follow that vet's recommendations.   The cost of this in office at a specialty clinic is normally about $35.00 and is called a CERF exam.  However again in an effort to minimize the cost we run yearly a CERF clinic here at Brier and will notify each of you when we are going to do this.  Normally the cost of these clinics are between $12.00 to $15.00 and there is no mark up. 

Hearts:

The Golden Retriever is prone to a heart disorder called SAS and while most vets can detect a heart murmur and can tell the proximity of the murmur indicating where SAS is suspect or not  a one time evaluation by a cardiologist is wise and in your best interest.  Dogs can not be cleared for SAS until after 12 months of age and should not be presented for evaluation prior to unless there is cause to, in which case your general practitioner will refer you to a specialist. SAS is normally not even detectable before age 12 months.  Young puppies with no history of a murmur can suddenly present with one and it could be SAS.  Again clearing for SAS will benefit me but truly the benefit again is yours in helping to determine a protocol in the event a dog is affected.  The estimated cost of this exam is $40.00 or again if we can get 4 dogs to evaluate at one time the cost can be reduced to $40.00 for the first dog and $20.00 for each dog there after splitting the cost 4 ways: $25.00 per dog.  This exam is referred to as an SAS exam.

To simplify and outline this all:

SAS Exam 12 months to 24 months of age:

The heart exam should be the only one you ever need to get and should cost you at the most $40.00, $25.00 if you participate in a group clinic. In any event the appointment should be made for an SAS exam not a full cardiac work up. You must take your AKC registration with you.

CERF Exam: 12 months to 24 months of age:

They eye exam will depend on the vets recommendation, yearly, bi yearly or not again till age 5 etc..  Cost: again depends on if you participate in a group clinic or go in office.  Clinic: $12.00 to $15.00  In office: $35.00.  This is called a CERF exam. You must take your AKC registration with you.

OFA Evaluation Hips and Elbows, 24 months of age:

Final clearances at age 2 are the best, but prelims after age 12 months are acceptable.  Biggest key is a qualified vet who does many OFA evaluations.  Get a recommendation from me, or plan to use my vet and or participate in a group clinic to insure accuracy and decrease cost.  Bad x-rays are useless!  Total cost could be as high as: $290.00 With a discount package you can expect to pay about $200.00 in my estimation at this time. You must take your AKC registration with you.

Remember to furnish me with copies of all reports.  Acceptable reports are:

1.      SAS: signed report from a board certified Cardiologist only after 12 months of age.

2.      CERF signed report from a board certified Ophthalmologist only after 12 months of age.

3.      OFA copies of original OFA certificates or prelim reports from OFA hips and elbows. 

Total cost to you is minimal in the event that any of these checks determines a disorder that is treatable considering the options down the road left untreated. 

Brier Golden Retrievers                         
Gina & George Heitz

www.briergoldens.com