New to breeding...where to have health clearances done?

[weathergirl]

Our golden retriever, Amber, is two today!  With breeding in the plans for the future, we need to have clearances for hips, elbows, heart, and eyes done.  I called our local vet in Anacortes, and they couldn't give me any info about how to go about this.  I then called a vet in a bigger town, and same story...so I jumped to Seattle and still didn't get answers.  I had no idea it would be difficult to figure out where to go to have all of this done.  Before I keep calling vets, can anyone give me some tips on where I can go (preferably in western WA) to have these things done?

Always so much to learn!  Thanks for your help...

[Old Dog]

Happy Birthday, Amber. 

Good on you for doing the health checks.  Another 

The hips and elbows are x-rayed and then the x-ray is sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, OFA.  Most vets can do this.  My breeder, John Greer from Tiger Mtn. Pointing Labs, recommended Dr. Ries in Purdy.  I have also had Dr. Roy Wright recommended by another breeder.  Unfortunately these guys are not near you. 

For the eyes, as far as I know there are only two places in the west side of the state.  I use DR. Penny Cooley in Olympia.  The other Dr. is in either Bellevue or Bellingham or one of those other "B" towns north of Tacoma. 

I don't know where to have her heart checked. 

[AspenBud]

Does this dog have any titles by its name? If not you would be wise to get some if the dog is able. You'll also meet people who can point you in the direction of vets who do these things.   

[weathergirl]

Does this dog have any titles by its name? If not you would be wise to get some if the dog is able. You'll also meet people who can point you in the direction of vets who do these things.   

Yes, that was my next step...asking around when I'm at the Whistling Wings HRC practice day this Sunday....

[WRL]

Dr Johnson in Mount Vernon should be able to do the OFA films for hips/elbows and the heart clearance.

You need a Veterinary Opthamologist for the eyes. I have mine down by Portland but a friend has hers done by Seattle so will see if I can get the clinic name for you.

After you do the hips/elbows/eyes/heart done you should also do the THREE PRA tests and the ichthyosis test done. Optigen.com

WRL

[weathergirl]

This is great!  Thanks for the help everyone!