DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS

Director: Dan Hogan , DVM dfh@vet.purdue.edu

Greetings,

I would like to take this time to reiterate the mission of CERF. Our goal is to provide a service that will help ensure a healthy canine population through diligent breeding programs. By working with breeders, we identify dogs that are free from potentially inheritable eye disease to hopefully eliminate these diseases from the general population. This is done by identifying those dogs free of disease with an exam by an ophthalmologist. An individual CERF number is assigned to that dog and can be provided to other breeders or potential new puppy owners. Dogs that are not eligible for a CERF number after examination by an ophthalmologist will have their data entered into a closed research registry. This database is closed meaning that no identifiable data (such as dog name, breeder name etc) is stored, only the results of the exam. This data is used for research and academic interests in furthering the fight against these diseases.

It would be helpful to breeders to have the CERF numbers available to a wide audience so their dogs may gain exposure to a larger network of individuals. CERF would like to facilitate this goal by providing CERF numbers to other animal registry programs such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). To accomplish this, CERF is providing a line on the examination forms for your signature allowing us to publish your dog's CERF number. It is important to stress here again that in no way shall any data from our research database be released to any outside agencies. We hope everyone will agree to have their CERF numbers distributed to help aid the entire community in achieving our goal. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to call the CERF office at 765-494-8179.

Sincerely

Daniel F. Hogan, DVM, DACVIM-Cardiology, Director- CERF/VMDB

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why should I have my puppy CERFed?

A: To identify eye birth defects or inherited diseases. Other things can also be found such as effects from trauma or nutritional deficiencies.

Q: Can I check online to see of a dog has been registered with CERF?

A: Yes you can. Just go to our website, www.vmdb.org and click on the CERF icon. In the CERF site you will find online verification. You can search by the dogs registered name, registration number or CERF number. If you still have further questions, just email Lisa Perry ltaylo11@vet.purdue.edu and she will try to answer them for you.

Q: What is CERF's Kennel Rate fee?

A: Our kennel rate fee is, if you send in 10 or more CERF exam forms, the charge is $7.50 for each form, whether it is a new CERF or a re-CERF.

*"No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich." -- Unknown*

FYI/STAFF NOTES

New Breed Information Available

The ACVO is now allowing us to divide the information from the "Ocular Disorders Presumed to be Inherited in Purebred Dogs, Third Edition". You can purchase only one breed at a time instead of the whole book. The cost is $15.00 for the first breed and if you request more at the same time each additional breed is just $3.00. Please click here to get the order form.

Member information!!!

We can now send our members the research reports and breed registration reports by email. Just email Lisa Perry ltaylo11@vet.purdue.edu when you need an updated report and she will email them back to you.

If you are not a member and would like to become one, please click here to get the order form and send it to CERF with the appropriate fee. You can then request an updated report anytime within that year.

WHAT IS NEW AT CERF

We are in the process of updating our CERF exam form. The changes will be simple, there will be more room on the front for you to write in owner's information; the back will have the kennel rate fee listed under the fees so you will know how many forms are needed to get that kennel rate. We are changing the tattoo/chip line to "Permanent Identification" to make it clear that we accept those two forms and also DNA Profile numbers.

The most important change is under the Doctors comments box. There will now be a signature line that you will have to sign if you don't want your dog's certification information released to the public. This is for any owners who do not want their dogs information put online, sent to the AKC, OFA or given to anyone calling in to ask whether the dog has been CERF registered. This pertains only to dogs that will receive Certification. CERF is a closed registry and all information that we receive from the Doctor's research copy and failed exam forms is strictly confidential.

ŠIf your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either." -- Unknown

DX SPOTLIGHT

Inherited Cataracts in Dogs

Sheryl Krohne, DVM, MS Diplomate ACVO, ACVO Genetics Committee/CERF Liaison

Genetic cataracts are also called "juvenile cataracts" in dogs. This terminology refers to the age of presentation with this abnormality which is usually in young dogs. As was discussed in the CERF Newsletter -February 2000, these cataracts may progress to blindness or remain small and not interfere with vision. The type of cataract affecting different breeds may be found in the following table. Included is breeding advise. (Listed are the remainder of breeds from the August 2001 Newsletter)

Canine Cataracts - Inheritance, Severity and Effect on Vision

(Reprinted with permission)

Same as above

Breed	Characteristics	Severity	Age at onset	Inheritance Pattern	Advice to Breeders

Norfolk Terrier	Posterior Polar	Often impairs vision	5	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Norwegian Elkhound	Posterior Cortical	Usually mild	1 to 3	Na	Same as above

Norwich Terrier	Posterior Subcapsular	Usually impairs vision	.5 to 2.5	R?	Affected dogs and obligate carriers Not be bred

Old English Sheepdog	Posterior Cortical	Usually impairs vision	Congenital to 6	R	Same as above

Papillon	1. Nuclear	Mild	2 to 8	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives
	2. Posterior Cortical	Mild	1.5 to 3	Na	Same as above

Pembroke Welsh Corgi	Posterior Cortical	Usually impairs vision	Congenital to .1	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Pointer	Peripheral	Usually impairs vision	2 to 3	D?	Affected dogs should not be bred, sire and dam should be examined

Pomeranian	Posterior cortical	Often impairs vision	<= 4	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Poodle	1. Anterior Cortical	Mild	2 to 5	Na	Na
	2. Posterior Cortical	Severe	.2 to 3	R	Affected dogs and obligate carriers should not be bred
	3. Posterior Polar	Often impairs vision	1.5 to 3	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Rhodesian Ridgeback	Posterior Cortical	Mild	3	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Rottweiler	Posterior Polar	Usually subclinical	< 2	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred

St. Bernard	Posterior Subcapsular	Often impairs vision	.5 to 8	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Samoyed	1. Posterior Cortical	Usually impairs vision	.5 to 3	R?	Affected dogs and obligate carriers should not be bred
	2. Anterior Subcapsular	Rarely impairs vision	>= 4	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives
	3. Nuclear	Rarely impairs vision	>= 5	Na	Same as above

Schipperke	Anterior subcapsular	Rarely impairs vision	>= 7	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Scottish Terrier	Na	Na	5 to 7	Na	Na

Shetland Sheepdog	Cortical	Seldom impairs vision	Varied	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Shih Tzu	Na	May be severe	Na	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Siberian Husky	1. Posterior Subcapsular	May be severe	.5 to > 1	R?	Affected dogs and obligate carriers should not be bred

Silky Terrier	1. Posterior Polar	Often impairs vision	4 to 5	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives
	2. Posterior Peripheral	Often impairs vision	4 to 5	Na	Same as above

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier	Na	Uncertain	.2 to 5	Na

Staffordshire Bull Terrier	Na	Severe	<1 to 1.5	R	Affected dogs and obligate carriers should not be bred

Standard Schnauzer	1. Posterior Subcapsular	Often impairs vision	< 1	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives
	2. Posterior Cortical	Same as above	< 1	Na	Same as above

Sussex Spaniel	Posterior Polar	Na	4.5	Na	Na

Tibetan Terrier	Posterior Cortical	Often impairs vision	< 1	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Welsh Springer Spaniel	Posterior Polar	Severe	Congenital to .1	R	Affected dogs and obligate carriers should not bred

Welsh Terrier	1. posterior Subcapsular, early	Often impairs vision	< .25	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives
	2. Posterior Subcapsular, late	Same as above	2	Na	Same as above

West Highland White Terrier	1. Posterior Y-suture Tip	May be severe	<= 4	R	Affected dogs and obligate carriers should not be bred
	2. Posterior	Often	<= 8	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Whippet	1. Anterior Cortical	May impair vision	>= 3	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives
	2. Posterior Subcapsular	May impair vision	>=5	Na	Same as above

Wire Fox Terrier	Posterior Subcapsular	Often impairs vision	<1 to 3	Na	Affected dogs should not be bred, examine close relatives

Yorkshire Terrier	Posterior Cortical	Often impairs vision	<= 5	Na	Same as above

Definitions for Inheritance Pattern abbreviations: R-Recessive, MBA-May Be Acquired, F-Familial,D-Dominant, D(IP)-Dominant(incomplete penetrance), na-no information available

The following breeds were left off because of lack of information: Pug, Scottish Deerhound, Sealyham Terrier and Smooth Fox Terrier.

What does it mean if my certificate has a Category listed on it?

The category system was implemented in May 1998. All dogs that have a category listed are still considered breedable dogs, however they have a condition indicated on the exam form other than normal that is considered a "Breeders Option" in the ACVO Ocular Disorders Book. The ACVO Genetics Committee has devised this system to help control various conditions that are not necessarily problematic, do not cause vision impairment, and may not be hereditary. They recommend that you try to breed these dogs to others that do not have the same category.

Simply because a dog has a condition listed on the back of a CERF certificate does NOT mean that any dog with that condition may be certified. The exam form must first be compared with a set of guidelines listed by breed in the ACVO Book and then if it passes it will get a certification.

The categories are simply laid out in order of location with category A being eyelid problems, category B being Third Eyelid, C being Cornea problems, D being Uvea problems, E being Lens problems, F being Vitreous problems, G being Fundus problems.

Thanks to all of our Breed Club Members. Your support is greatly appreciated!!

Akita Club of America	Finnish Spitz Club of America
American Belgian Tervuren Club	Friends of the French Bulldog
American Border Collie Assoc. Inc.	Flat Coated Retriever Society of America
American Bouvier Des Flandres Club	Golden Retriever Club of America
American Coton de Tulear Assoc.	Gordon Setter Club of America
American Eskimo Dogs of America	Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
American Shetland Sheepdog Club	Havanese Club of America
American Water Spaniel Club	Japanese Chin Club of America
American Whippet Club	Komondor Club of America
Australian Cattle Dog Club of America	Kuvasz Club of America
Basenji Club	Labrador Retriever Club
Bearded Collie Foundation for Health	Lowchen Club of America
Belgian Sheepdog Club of America	Leonberger Club of America
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America	Mastiff Club of America
Bichon Frise Club of America	National Entlebucher Mountain Dogs Assoc.
Boston Terrier Club of America	Norwegian Elkhound Assoc. of America
Boykin Spaniel Society	Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of USA
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America, Inc	Old English Sheepdog Club of America
Carillon Bedlingtons	Papillon Club of America
Chinook Owners Assoc	Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen Club
Doberman Pinscher Foundation of America	Staffordshire Terrier Club of America
English Cocker Spaniel Club of America	Standard Schnauzer Club of America, Inc
Field Spaniel Society of America	Tibetan Terrier Club of America, Inc.
Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America

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