Eye Clinic

OFA Eye Certification Registry (ECR) Clinic

Canine All-Breed

All Dogs Need Eye Exams!

Eye exams are not just for breeding dogs. All dogs in show, performance, and pet homes should have routine eye exams to detect changes in the dog’s eyes.

Often eye problems can be identified early to prevent further illness or even blindness.

Date:  February 4, 2017
Time:  9 am – 4 pm

Exam by: Dr. Victoria Jones, DVM Diplomate, ACVO
Where: Northwest Animal Eye Specialists
13020 NE 85th Street
Kirkland, WA 98033

Portuguese Water Dogs and Vision

In Portuguese Water Dogs there is a new form of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a genetic disease that can lead to blindness. The mode of inheritance of this new form of PRA is unknown.

Currently, there are a limited number of Portuguese Water Dogs that have been diagnosed with this new form of PRA starting from 2 to 6 years of age.

All owners of Portuguese Water Dogs are encouraged to have their dog’s eyes tested regularly; annually for breeding dogs, and every 2-3 years for non-breeding dogs.

The Eye Certification Registry (ECR) exam provides the scientific data needed for canine health researchers to gain an understanding of the overall eye health of the breed, as well as provide you with the knowledge of your dog’s eye health.

Examination Fee and Registration

Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Portuguese Water Dog Club, this eye clinic offers reduced canine eye exam fees that benefit all dog owners.

• $30.00 – Portuguese Water Dogs
• $40.00 – All other canine breeds

Register early as there are limited appointments.

Register online or download and complete the registration form electronically, print, and mail with payment to the address shown on the form.

Registration closes Monday, January 23, 2017.

[imic_button colour=”btn-primary” type=”enabled” link=”https://www.pnwpwdc.org/eye-clinic-registration/” target=”_self” extraclass=”” size=””]Register Online[/imic_button]

Frequently Asked Questions

[toggles id=””]
[togglegroup]
[togglehead id=”” tab_id=”0″]What is involved with an ECR exam?[/togglehead]
[togglebody tab_id=”0″]

The OFA Eye Certification Registry (ECR) exam is a general eye exam, which screens for genetic and non‐genetic abnormalities in your dog’s eyes. The exam is not a medical examination for existing eye problems.

The eye screening exam is performed approximately 20 minutes after pupil-dilating drops are placed in your dog’s eyes. The drops are not painful, but your dog’s eyes may be light sensitive for up to eight hours.

The ophthalmologist will examine your dog’s eyes in a darkened room. The exam takes only a few minutes.

[/togglebody]
[/togglegroup]
[togglegroup]
[togglehead id=”” tab_id=”1″]What is OFA?[/togglehead]
[togglebody tab_id=”1″]In 2012, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) designated the OFA’s Eye Certification Registry as the registry of choice. All records that were formerly with the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) were transferred to OFA. In 2014, the Canine Eye Registration Foundation closed.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) was originally formed to focus on hip dysplasia and other orthopedic issues in dogs. It has expanded to collate information that includes not only orthopedic, but also other genetic diseases in both dogs and cats.

The OFA databank includes health results for orthopedic, DNA, cardio, endocrine, eye, and more.

[/togglebody]

[/togglegroup]
[togglegroup]
[togglehead id=”” tab_id=”2″]How do I obtain an ECR certificate registration?[/togglehead]
[togglebody tab_id=”2″]

To obtain an Eye Certification Registry (ECR) certificate registration, you must mail-in your original “owner’s” copy of the exam along with the registration fee to OFA ($12 for initial application, $8 for resubmissions; no charge for abnormal results).

Dogs with normal exam results will receive OFA eye certificate numbers that are valid for 12-months.

The veterinary ophthalmologist will mail-in a research copy to the OFA, but the OFA does not match up any personal identification on those forms. The research copy is strictly used for statistical purposes.

For OFA-ECR registration you will need to bring with you the following required information: registration number, owner’s name and contact information, dog’s registered name, date of birth, sex, breed/variety, and if applicable, permanent identification (via microchip or tattoo).

OFA Eye Certification Registry Information

[/togglebody]
[/togglegroup]

[togglegroup]
[togglehead id=”” tab_id=”3″]Agility Dogs and Vision: What’s the connection?[/togglehead]
[togglebody tab_id=”3″]

Dogs that compete in agility benefit from routine eye exams that can detect sight problems that may relate to dropped bars, early jumping, and missed obstacles. Dogs are great at compensating for vision problems until it can be too late.

• Canine Vision Project
• What Do They See & How Do We Know?, by Cynthia Cook, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVO, Clean Run, Jan. 2009
• What Do They See & How Do We Know? Vision Abnormalities, by Cynthia Cook, DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVO, Clean Run, Feb. 2009

[/togglebody]
[/togglegroup]
[/toggles]