Ocular Abnormalities - 8.6% Reported eye issues. Source - OFA Health Survey. Currently researching statistic from Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) Definition - any condition for which the Spinone would not receive a passing CERF exam. Diagnosis - annual CERF exam. Required for CHIC number.

• CERF exam which should be performed every year until age 7.

Elbow Dysplasia – 94% Normal**
**Source - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) online breed statistics up to December 2010. Definition- Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow of dogs. Three specific etiologies make up this disease and they can occur independently or in conjunction with one another. Diagnosis - veterinary exam sent to OFA for OFA certificate number. Required for CHIC number.

• Available at 2 years of age.

Hip Dysplasia – 15.4% Dysplastic**
**Source - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) online breed statistics up to December 2010. Definition- Hip Dysplasia is a terrible genetic disease because of the various degrees of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, osteoarthrosis) it can eventually produce, leading to pain and debilitation. Diagnosis- veterinary exam sent to OFA for OFA certificate number. Required for CHIC number.

• Available at 2 years of age.

Thyroid – 77.9% Normal**
**Source - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) online breed statistics up to December 2010. Definition -Autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in dogs. The disease has variable onset, but tends to clinically manifest itself at 2 to 5 years of age. Dogs may be clinically normal for years, only to become hypothyroid at a later date. The marker for autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroglobulin autoantibody formation, usually occurs prior to the occurrence of clinical signs. Therefore, periodic retesting is recommended. Diagnosis - Each dog is to be examined by an attending veterinarian and have a serum sample sent to an OFA approved laboratory for testing. Optional Recommendation for CHIC number.

• Available at 1 year of age.

• Yearly screening recommended until age 6, every two years after that until age 10.

Cardiac – 99.2% Normal**
**Source - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) online breed statistics up to December 2010. Definition - Malformation of the heart or great vessels. Diagnosis - cardiac auscultation by a veterinary cardiologist, veterinary internist or general practice veterinarian. Optional Recommendation for CHIC number.

• Available at 1 year of age.

Cerebella Ataxia –6.7% Carriers**
**Source - Animal Health Trust (AHT) Definition -In 1990, a hereditary condition called Cerebellar Ataxia (CA) was acknowledged in the Spinone Italiano. This disease cannot be treated, and of the puppies affected, none have survived past the age of 12 months. It is a recessive genetic disease. In 2008, a genetic test was made available to test dogs to see if they are carriers of the genetic disease. Diagnosis- Each dog is to be examined by an attending veterinarian and have a serum sample sent to Animal Health Trust for genetic testing.

• Available at any age.

http://www.aht.org.uk/skins/Default/otherHtml/

bigTable.html

Other Diseases reported in Spinone**

**Source - OFA Health Survey.

• Cancer.
• Bloat and/or Torsion.
• Ear infections.
• Epilepsy or Seizures.
• Skin Infections.
• Dental Issues.
• Allergies.

Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program to promote testing and reporting of health test results for the Spinone breed. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).  

I have provided CHIC numbers (if available) and corresponding OFA web pages for each animal used in my breeding program. These can be found on the page Breeding/Puppies. I am in the process of having animals uned in my breeding program tested or parents of animals tested for CA test. This information can also be found when available on Breeding/Puppies.