OFA - CERF - Page 1

If you think OFA results are inconsistent, what do you think about the CERF evaluations?

we use OFA with our dogs and i can say thy are good. we don't send our dog's X-Rays to our kennel club only OFA.

I'm sorry, my first message was probably confusing to most. I'll try it again. Have any had any negative experiences with eye checks done by the CERF approved readers? Some breeders I know have had dogs read as having eye issues thought to be genetic. These dogs did not receive CERF certification. Many are having these dogs rechecked at a later time, the eyes are then diagnosed as normal by a different reader and the dog issued a CERF number. Although they are feeling that CERF numbers are something they would prefer to have for their breeding stock, they are starting to rethink just how much importance they really should place on CERF eye exams. There is always talk about the inconsistency of OFA.

Blitzen, Humans are humans and all such tests will ALWAYS be compromised by the inexactness of humans doing the "umpiring", whether it be calling strikes in baseball or reading x-rays or giving CERF or other such approvals. For so many of these health issues, yes, at the very bottom line, it all comes down to genetics, short of injury. But just think, for one moment, where the human race might be if we tried to breed to some sort of standard. I am not saying we should not be concerned with any standard, and, as you know, I feel it ethically wrong to breed a dog who has a known and clear genetic problem. Take pannus for example. I have a vet who says it is probably not genetic and they never saw it in places where the altiitude and UV exposure was low. In my area, it is not uncommon. Where I really become concerned in this case is if the condition develops at a young age. But I can say this. I have a female who developed it late and not one of her pups of two litters shows this condition. So go figure. Personally, I have never put much stock in CERF certification. What I put value in is hard science. Lab results, as an example, are hard science but even then, lab work can be done incorrectly, blood allowed to sit too long, machines not work etc. At least with x-rays, they are a permanent record and can be looked at several times and by different people. My opinion is that none of these systems are perfect, but as far as CERF, I do not put much stock in it at all because it can be so subjective. Also, in my experience, unless the case is pronounced, daily eye condition can vary a little depending on the disease.

Hodie, I think if CERF doesn't soon get their act together and do a better job certifying their readers, they are going to be out of business. More than a few of my friends have had dogs with bad readings one week, no numbers; the next week the same dogs were passed with flying colors by another reader at a different eye clinic and certified. Then there is the fact that in order for the certs to be valid, the must be updated annually. Who does that? Not many I know. All CERF will say about most eye conditions is - we aren't sure if it is genetic or not, but don't breed effected dogs or their first degree relatives. Huh? We are starting to think if the eye diseases that CERF is making so much of are not causing any vision problems or other health issuses, so what. Blitz had corneal dystrophy, I noticed it a few years ago. Read up about it in GSDs and everything said it's genetic, but will probably not cause any vision problems. I beleive a GSD with corneal dystrophy is eligible for a CERF number, but some other breeds are not. Fred Lanting told me at NASS that it will probably go away on its own and he was spot on, it did. No signs of it now. OFA is another can of worms. I would like to read the independent audit Bob-O spoke of in a another thread. Sounds like those readers don't often agree either. I do feel more comfortable with an OFA evaluation since it is a concensus of 3 readers.

Blitzen, I have never had any experience directly with CERF readers, but what you say certainly is cause for concern. This should not happen that one week the dog fails and the next it is passed...... I too would like Bob-O to provide us more information or better yet, a link, to the independent study of OFA. For my part, I have only minor heartburn with them but it would be interesting to see what an audit brought out. Bob-O, care to elaborate? Regards to you both.