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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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[togglehead id=”” tab_id=”0″]What is involved with an ECR exam?[/togglehead]
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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.
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[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.
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[togglehead id=”” tab_id=”2″]How do I obtain an ECR certificate registration?[/togglehead]
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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
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[togglehead id=”” tab_id=”3″]Agility Dogs and Vision: What’s the connection?[/togglehead]
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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
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Alex owns and operates her all-breed dog salon, Lightfoot Dog Grooming, out of Higganum, Connecticut that specialized in grooming PWDs for the conformation ring and beyond. Alex grew up with Portuguese Water Dogs. In 2002, at the age of 15, her mentor-breeder gifted Alex her first PWD, and gave her the foundation skills to groom and handle for the conformation ring. Moving from Connecticut to Colorado to California and back to Connecticut again, Alex has gathered a large number of PWD grooming clients and friends across the country. In 2012, she presented the grooming seminar for the Southern California Portuguese Water Dog Club, and in 2014 she was asked to speak about grooming at the Mayflower Portuguese Water Dog’s Festivus event. Now from her forever home in Connecticut, Alex owner-handles PWDs from her own breeding line, and has a passion for helping others keep their PWD looking like PWDs in and out of the show-ring.
