ASC Foundation Guidelines for Breeding

ASC Foundation Supported Grants (Cataracts and Glaucoma)

Health Registry

2002 – Current

Deadline: Annually from last eye exam

Send Entries To:
ASC Health Registrar
Deb Shanks
PO Box 476
Rogersville, MO. 65742
shotowin@yahoo.com

The ASC proudly offers the revised Health Registry for you to use as a tool in your breeding program. It contains valuable information and has the potential to contain even more in-depth veterinary documentation. This is your HR, and those of you who actively participate will gain the most and will be making a worthy contribution to the breed! The ASC has devoted much thought and inspiration in developing this workable database on our website – representing the past, present and on to the future!

Due to the nature of programming a few minor changes have been made. As you will note there are no more Volumes. The HR is now continual, starting with all dogs current and/or permanent as of January 1, 2002.

Permanent status will now be based only on eye clearances. This is defined within this document.

Introduction

Presently there are two sections to the HR – Part I and Part II. Part I contains those dogs that have reached permanent status and those younger dogs that are current on eye clearances. To remain in Part I, it is mandatory that the eye exam be performed at least every 12 months on those dogs that are under eligible age for permanent status. If the eye clearance is not current, the dog will move to Part II, which is available for viewing only to those who have the ASC password. When the eye clearance is updated the dog will move back to Part I. A two-month grace period will be allowed before the dog is moved to Part II.

You will notice that the thyroid no longer reaches permanent status. (This is related to the selection of criteria for programming for permanency.) It is recommended that the thyroid test be done annually or bi-annually up until at least eight years of age. The thyroid date will be treated similar to the eye exam. However, if the test is over 12 months, a two months grace period will be given, and then it will read in italics. The dog will not be moved to Part II because the thyroid test is not current.

The HR will be updated on the web ASAP – as entries are received. This will allow breeders to keep more current on those dogs in their bloodlines and should help immensely with planning future breedings.

Another nice feature is that we have the ability to indicate permanent status on the sire and/or dam of each entered dog, providing those dogs have been entered and/or updated. It’s not too late to enter those dogs, even if they are deceased, as long as the owner can provide the necessary documentation. But you must bring permanent sire/dam info to the Registrar’s attention since this is done manually. A plus sign + will appear in front of those dogs.

You will find the HR easy to navigate. It’s simple! There is a block of page numbers at the top and bottom of the pages, but each page is not numbered, as a document would be. You can navigate by clicking on one of the page numbers or FIRST, PREVIOUS, etc. Theoretically the listings could change daily. There is an owners’ list alphabetically by last name and numerically by their ID number in the HR. Also, there are lists for Permanent and Deceased dogs.

Guidelines For Sending Entries

1. Enclose a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) of the proper size for the return of your entries. You are advised to copy all documents for yourself before mailing to Registrar.

2. To ensure that the Registry contains accurate information, please notify the Registrar of changes of address and changes of dog ownership.

3. Please notify the Registrar of the date of death of dogs. The cause of death need not be given but would be helpful for the records.

4. Include a telephone number and e-mail, if available, with your entries. The Registrar will call collect or e-mail to resolve problems.

5. If you telephone the Registrar and get the answering machine, leave your name, telephone number, the best time to return your call and your time zone. The Registrar will call you back collect or e-mail you if e-mail is on file. Do not leave e-mail address by phone.

6. Allow 30 days for the processing of your entries.

Rules For Entry

One does not have to be an ASC member to submit entries, and we encourage those entries. There is no charge.

Registration Certificate

Include a copy of the AKC, CKC, or foreign registering body’s Registration Certificate for each dog when:

  • The dog is entered in the Registry for the first time.
  • The ownership of the dog has changed.

Eye Exams

  • All dogs must be at least two years old when examined.
  • The eye examination must be made annually.
  • Only eye exams done by and signed by, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) will be accepted.
  • Eye Exams must be marked not affected under the Lens (Cataract) and Fundus (PRA) areas of the exam form. Unidentified/Suspicious and/or Affected markings will not be accepted for publication unless there is an explanation on the form, stating that the problem noted on the form is not PRA or cataract and/or the problem is not hereditary in nature.
  • The examination certificate must contain: registered name and number of the dog, breed, the dog’s color, sex, date of birth and the name of the owner(s). Certificates with call names only will be returned, unrecorded, for correction.
  • Non-CERF users: The original examination certificate must be sent; or the copy the ACVO Diplomate gives the owner. Carbon copies (CERF forms) will be accepted.
  • No Photocopies of examination certificates will be accepted.
  • CERF users: Please send your original CERF certificate and a photocopy of the original examination certificate. Please make the photocopy of the original before sending it to CERF since they keep the original examination certificate.

OFA (for Hip Dysplasia)

  • All dogs must be at least two years old when the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals issues a permanent OFA number.
  • Only permanent OFA numbers will be accepted for entry into the Registry.
  • The original OFA certificate must be sent. No photocopies will be accepted.

PennHip

  • All dogs must be two years old when entered in the Registry.
  • Dogs must be at least six months old when screened.
  • The original PennHIP certificate must be sent. No photocopies will be accepted.

Blood Factor X and von Willebrands Disease

  • All dogs must be two years old when entered in the Registry, not necessarily when examined.
  • The laboratory report must contain: date of test, and registered name and number of the dog.
  • The original laboratory report must be sent. No photocopies will be accepted.
  • In the case of a re-test, all certificates must be sent.

Thyroid Profile

  • All dogs must be at least two years old when tested and cannot be on thyroid medication within three months of the test.
  • The thyroid test must include a complete thyroid profile which includes autoantibody testing:
    • Total Thyroxine (TT4) – Total Triiodothyronine (TT3)
    • Free (Unbound) T4 (FT4) – Free (Unbound) T3 (FT3)
    • T4 Autoantibody – T3 Autoantibody
  • Currently, there are only a few labs in the US that conduct the autoantibody testing. Only reports from these labs will be accepted.
    • Animal Health Diagnostic Lab, Veterinary Endocrinology Section, Michigan State University, PO Box 30076, Lansing, MI 48909 (517) 353-0621
    • Hemopet, for Professional Animal Lab, 17672 A Cowan Avenue, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 252-8455
    • Currently the Animal Health Diagnostic Lab also reports the Thyroglobulin Autoantibody (TgAA). This test became available in June 1998. An elevation in TgAA may indicate a predilection towards autoimmune thyroiditis and can be an earlier detection of the disease. If reported, TgAA will also be included in the registry. It will be listed as Normal or Elevated. However, an elevation in TgAA does not necessarily result in autoimmune thyroiditis. Rechecks are important on these dogs.
    • The laboratory report must contain: date of test, registration number of the dog (instead of name), the name of the owner(s), and the veterinarian’s name, address and phone number. So the Registrar can identify the dog, the owner must add the dog’s registered name to the lab report, or attach a copy of the dog’s registration certificate to the lab report. The veterinarian’s signature must be on the lab report with a statement that the dog was not on thyroid treatment within three monthsprior to the time of the blood test.
    • The original laboratory report must be sent. No photocopies will be accepted.
    • Annual testing is recommended, especially during the two to six year age period, but is not required. See introduction above re: listing – current vs. not current.

Achieving Permanent Status

With the revision of the HR, Permanent Status is available only through eye clearances. If the eye exam is abnormal (or not updated and age requirements are not met) the dog will move to Part II and show all other pertinent info, i.e. OFA, Thy, etc.

Requirements for Permanent Status for Eye Exams

  • The Permanent Registry contains all dogs that have had a clear eye exam after their 8th birthday.
  • Deceased dogs can be included in the Permanent Registry provided they meet the following criteria:
    • Dogs who die at 6 years of age are required to have had a clear eye exam after their 6th birthday.
    • Dogs who die at 7 or 8 years of age, are required to have had a clear eye exam within one calendar year of the date of their death.

Additional Comments

No one sees the health documents except the Registrar and/or Chairman. If a consultation is necessary a copy of the document, with the dog’s and owner’s names blocked out, is sent to an ophthalmologist or veterinarian depending on the situation. Over 99% of the exams received are non-defective. Strictest confidentiality is maintained. The Chairman/Registrar is a professional in the veterinary field – a Registered Veterinary Technician (R.V.T.) since 1978.

Annual Health Registries from prior years may be available. Contact the Registrar for prices.

A First Permanent Registry was published in 1988. It includes all Permanently Registered dogs in Volumes 1-12 of the Annual Health Registries. A Second Permanent Registry was published in 1993. It includes all Permanently Registered dogs in Volumes 13-18 of the Annual Health Registries. A Third Permanent Registry was published in 2000. It includes all Permanently Registered dogs in Volumes 19-25 of the Annual Health Registries. Copies of the First, Second and Third Permanent Registries are available from the Registrar and the ASC Secretary. Price: $7.00 (includes postage)

The hard copy era finished with the 24th HR published in 1999. The previous HR’s online, starting with the 24th and including the 25th, 26th and 3rd Permanent have all been incorporated in to this revised (continual) HR.

The ASC Health Registry is now accepting data on veterinarian documented conditions to be listed in Part 2 of the HR. As usual, a copy of the AKC registration is required unless the dog is already entered in the database. No one but the Registrar will have access to this information prior to the disbursal of the ASC password, which will be available upon request to all ASC members in good standing. The password will be offered after sufficient data has been collected, however submissions have been slow in coming.

 Affliction Authorization Form (Health Registry)