Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum. I've owned labs for the past 10 years. The first one was a purebred yellow rescue lab. He passed last November. I also have a purebred yellow lab that is AKC registered and I have his pedigree. He's six years old. Now, I've just purchased a purebred AKC yellow female that will be eight weeks old July 25th. I've just learned recently about HIP evaluations and eye exams for labs. I would like to have mine checked, but don't know where or how to start. Is this something I have done at my local vet? Can someone tell me what it might cost me to have this done? I live in southern middle Tennessee. I appreciate any information you can provide me. Thanks, Darrell
Hi and welcome to the forum Hip evaluations and eye tests are things that are done with the breeding parents. These tests are generally not something that is or can be done with a puppy. With the parents, hips are checked (and scored) based on x-rays that are taken at 12 months of age. Eye tests are done annually (every single year) by a vet. So the thing to look for is that both parents have had these checks (and have also had their elbows x-rayed and scored) and have had good results on hips and elbows and clear eye test results every year of their lives. This article explains what to look for: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/health-screening-for-labrador-diseases/ The breeder should be able to provide you with copies of the health test results for each dog. Make sure you view the original test certificates, not photocopies or scanned copies.
It is a good idea to hip and elbow check your own dogs if you plan an active lifestyle for them. Especially competing in something like agility where there can be much strain and torque on joints. Google up your closest Labrador Owners Club and contact someone there for who can do these tests for you. Or tell you who can do them. Your own Vet may be able to help you. I know here my Vet does Pennhip evaluations, the ones that require an X-ray. But OVA is also common and I think does not need the Xray. The organizations might be able to help you too. https://www.ofa.org/ http://info.antechimagingservices.com/pennhip/ For eyes and other tests like CNM and EIC, again, find the Lab Club and/or ask your own Vet.
