HEALTH TESTING
While generally healthy, as with many of the Toy breeds, Japanese Chin do have some known health issues. Early adult onset heart murmurs and luxating patellas are probably the most frequently occurring health issues. Unfortunately these issues are generally not detectable in a young puppy, nor young adult, and it can be difficult to predict if a puppy will be affected by these genetic issues as a mature adult.
To better predict if our puppies will be affected by genetic health issues as adults, our potential sires and dams have TWO STAGES OF HEALTH TESTING.
Stage 1 BASIC PRELIMINARY HEALTH TESTING - at a year old, our youngsters are examined by our veterinarian for overall wellness, heart and patella health. Our veterinarian performs this exam and results are forwarded to the ORTHOPEDIC FOUNDATION FOR ANIMALS (OFA).
Stage 2 ADVANCED HEALTH TESTING - at 3+ years old, our mature adults have further specialized health testing by a cardiologist and an ophthalmologist to detect signs of early adult onset genetic disease.
We have been submitting our health testing results to the OFA since 2009. Links to our dogs health testing results are included on their individual pages, most now have results available for siblings, offspring, parents and grandparents.
In addition to having our chin examined by a cardiologist, ophthalmologist and veterinarian, we use the advanced DNA testing offered by EMBARK as another tool to guide our breeding decisions. Embark tests for GANGLIOSIDOSIS (GM2) as well as 190+ genetic mutations associated with disease in other breeds. Links to our dogs results are included on their individual pages.
Japanese Chin are a brachycephalic breed. We are acutely aware of the potential health challenges this poses (BRACHYCEPHALIC SYNDROME) and actively follow the work of the UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE BOAS RESEARCH GROUP. We watch our chin closely for signs of any breathing difficulty as they run and play in our large yard. Any chin that presents an issue (for example noisy or excessive panting, stenotic nares, signs of a weak trachea or slow recovery rate) do not enter our breeding program.
To better predict if our puppies will be affected by genetic health issues as adults, our potential sires and dams have TWO STAGES OF HEALTH TESTING.
Stage 1 BASIC PRELIMINARY HEALTH TESTING - at a year old, our youngsters are examined by our veterinarian for overall wellness, heart and patella health. Our veterinarian performs this exam and results are forwarded to the ORTHOPEDIC FOUNDATION FOR ANIMALS (OFA).
Stage 2 ADVANCED HEALTH TESTING - at 3+ years old, our mature adults have further specialized health testing by a cardiologist and an ophthalmologist to detect signs of early adult onset genetic disease.
We have been submitting our health testing results to the OFA since 2009. Links to our dogs health testing results are included on their individual pages, most now have results available for siblings, offspring, parents and grandparents.
In addition to having our chin examined by a cardiologist, ophthalmologist and veterinarian, we use the advanced DNA testing offered by EMBARK as another tool to guide our breeding decisions. Embark tests for GANGLIOSIDOSIS (GM2) as well as 190+ genetic mutations associated with disease in other breeds. Links to our dogs results are included on their individual pages.
Japanese Chin are a brachycephalic breed. We are acutely aware of the potential health challenges this poses (BRACHYCEPHALIC SYNDROME) and actively follow the work of the UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE BOAS RESEARCH GROUP. We watch our chin closely for signs of any breathing difficulty as they run and play in our large yard. Any chin that presents an issue (for example noisy or excessive panting, stenotic nares, signs of a weak trachea or slow recovery rate) do not enter our breeding program.
Gangliosidosis (GM2) - DNA test
Patellas - veterinarian at 1 Eyes - ophthalmologist at 3 Heart - cardiologist at 4 ABOUT THE ORTHOPEDIC FOUNDATION FOR ANIMALS (OFA) |
DNA testing for genetic health conditions relevant to Japanese Chin plus 190+ genetic mutations associated with disease in other breeds
ABOUT EMBARK ADVANCED DNA TESTING FOR BREEDERS |
