HEALTH TESTING

Our adult breeding dogs have been tested extensively prior to breeding, including  eyes, elbows, and genetic disorders to ensure the health of our dogs and the puppies as well.

All of our dogs have had Embark Genetic testing.  Embark tests for over 100 different disorders, including the six most common genetic diseases found in the Coton de Tulear. Part of the screening is to make sure that if a breeding dog is a carrier of this disease, it is not breed to another dog carrying the same disease.  This practice helps to eliminate disease in the Coton de Tulear and create genetically healthy puppies.

PRCD-PRA

PRA is a hereditary group of diseases that cause the retina to degenerate slowly over time. The disease results in declining vision and eventual blindness. “prcd” stands for “progressive rod-cone degeneration” which is the type of PRA known in several breeds. This is a hereditary disease, therefore, we pay careful attention to be sure that we only breed dogs that won’t produce PRA affected puppies.

Cardiac Heart Screening

Canine congenital heart diseases are malformations of the heart or great vessels. The lesions characterizing congenital heart defects are present at birth and may develop more fully over time. Many congenital heart defects are thought to be genetically transmitted; however, the exact modes of inheritance have not been determined for all cardiovascular malformations.  All dogs are screened by a Veternarian prior to breeding.

OFA Patellas and Elbow

This screening tests help us to not breed dogs that can pass along patella or elbow issues.

CERF Eye Exams

This one eye exam is used to identify 20 possible disorders including: Progressive retinal atrophy, Cataract, Coloboma, Dacryocystitis, Distichiasis, Ectropion, Entropion, Epiphora, Glaucoma, Hemeralopia, Iris atrophy, Lacrimal duct atresia, Lens luxation, Microphthalmia, Optic nerve hypoplasia, Pannus, Persistent hyaloid artery, Persistent pupillary membrane, Retinal detachment, Retinal dysplasia.