Dixie Rose DeRosa passed her OFA health screenings with flying colors. She’s sleepy from the anesthesia, but wow are we excited!
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) health tests for hips, elbows, patella (knee), and cardiac.
What to expect: we arrived at our vet’s office this afternoon and she was weighted and briefly examined before being taken back for sedation. She had the following tests performed: hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows. She had a dental assessment as well. During her visit she was in heat, so she was in a diaper! But, that doesn’t interfere with the process at all.
After the procedure, our vet does an initial assessment and gave us a report. Everything looks wonderful, and now our paperwork is sent into the “official” OFA for assessment and recording of the results. Results are important, and they won’t perform the tests unless you consent to releasing ALL results – good or bad– so any dog that is tested will have a public record for anyone to obtain. Part of the record required us providing her AKC registration information as well as the AKC registration of both her parents. The science lover in me appreciates the contribution to the body of knowledge that this process makes. Her parents have a long AKC pedigree, but were not OFA tested, so it was really important to me that we stepped up.
These results mean that in 1 year, she’ll be able to have her final hips and elbows exam. It will be a repeat of this one, and if she passes these exams again at the 2 year mark, it’s one more assurance that her health is excellent and fit for reproducation.
Golden Retriever Puppies 