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FINEST HUNTING SPANIELS BOULDER BROOK KENNEL BOX 1 MARKHAM, VA 22643 Wachtelhunds and Boykins |
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CERF EYE DISEASE REPORT 1991-1999
BOYKIN SPANIELS
TOTAL DOGS EXAMINED
290
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There are many Boykin Spaniels with healthy
eyes today; however you must investigate this before buying a puppy. Like all dogs, Boykin Spaniels suffer from a variety
of eye diseases. Approximately 30% examined have an eye problem of one type
or another. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ACVO)
veterinary specialists examine and
certify canines eyes which are found to have non-inheriterable eye
diseases. The examined dog which
“passes” the examine receives a CERF number and certificate. The table below is a digest of the major Boykin Spaniel problems based on eye exams for the 9 years until 1999. Ask about the eyes of the parents before you buy a pup. If the parents have a CERF number, you reduce the liklihood of a blind dog significantly. In a 10 puppy litter from UNEXAMINED parents, on the average three (3) pups may go BLIND. Make sure it's not your puppy. A puppy with youth cataracts may require veterinary eye surgery costing over $1500 to repair. The alternatives are to let the puppy go blind or to put it down. These are very sad choices no owner should have to make, or puppy should have to live with. |
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If a dog has NOT passed, ASSUME it has FAILED the test, or can NOT PASS the test. A CERF exam costs $40 to $75 in most areas. If the breeder will not get an CERF exam for his breeding dogs, he is breeding only for money, not to provide you a healthy puppy. Remember he makes several thousand dollars on a big litter. Ask him to get a test before you pay. If he refuses, You should go elsewhere, and tell the breeder why. You may buy your puppy with a written guarantee that the pup will pass an eye examination or you may return it within a time period. Young puppies can have American college of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (AVCO) specialist examine it for eye problems at a young age, perhaps 8 or weeks or even younger. As of May 20, 2000 301 Boykin Spaniels out of 16079 born have received a CERF number. This is less than 1/2 of one per cent! By April 1, 2007 CERF has been done to 724 Boykins. Progress is occurring in the total number of dogs with examined eyes, BUT You continue have a very good chance of buying a puppy from unchecked parents!! |
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There are more Boykins today with healthy eyes, but the only way to tell is to ASK FOR THE DOG CERF RESULTS. VERIFY the dog on the CERF DATABASE A rating of CLEAR is the best rating. However some problems may exist and the dog will receive a CERF number with qualifications. The number of Boykins "CERF"ed should increase rapidly if enough buyers request it. Pups of dogs failing or not passing the CERF exam should never be participate in a breeding program. |
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DIAGNOSTIC NAME |
NUMBER
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PERCENT
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ANTERIOR
CORTEX FUNCT.* |
7 |
2.41% |
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DISTICHIASIS |
40 |
13.79% |
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GENERALIZED
CATARACT* |
1 |
0.34% |
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NORMAL |
206 |
71.03% |
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NUCLEUS PUNCT.
UNKNOWN |
7 |
2.41% |
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POSTERIOR
CORTEX PUNCT.* |
13 |
4.48% |
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POSTERIOR
SUTURES* |
6 |
2.06% |
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RETINAL
ATROPOHY-GENERALIZED* |
5 |
1.73% |
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RETINAL
DYSPLASIA FOCAL/FOLDS |
12 |
4.14% |
* Disease is rejected by CERF:
DISTICHIASIS-
eyelashes abnormally located on the eyelid margin which may cause ocular
irritation
CATARACT- A partial
or complete opacity of the lens. Where cataracts affect both eyes
completely, blindness results
RETINAL DYSPLASIA-FOLDS
Linear triangular, curved foci of retinal folding. In puppies, may clear up
with maturity.
RETINAL ATROPHY-
Generalized. A degenerative disease of the retinal visual cells which
progresses to blindness. Also known as Progressive retinal atrophy(PRA)
Boulder Brook Boykin, and Boulder
Brook Kennel are copyrighted
©2007