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CERF DATA FOR LAST 5 YEARS
Vickie Halstead RN, CVNS, CCRN, CEN, LNC

I would like to tell you a story about one of my Bichon bitches, at the risk of damaging my reputation as a breeder. (Dr. Jerold Bell states, “The true measure of a conscientious breeder is how this knowledge is disseminated to the owners of the next generation.”) She produced two healthy litters while passing her CERF exams every year since she was 1 year of age. At the age of 5.5 years I was considering breeding her one last time. Her annual CERF exam revealed the onset of the Bichon cataracts in both eyes, so I spayed her. Nine months later her cataracts have barely progressed, so it appears they are mild and will progress slowly. Her blood sample with information was sent to Dr. Gelatt. Both of her parents have passed their annual CERF exams up to the age of 7 years.

I share this story with you knowing that some breeders do not CERF their breeding animals yearly, and some CERF them at a certain age and stop, perhaps thinking that is adequate. According to Dr. Kirk Gelatt from the CERF data, the average age of diagnosis of the Bichon cataracts was 5-6 years, but the range was 3-10 years. The age of onset can be as young as 1-2 years. Cataracts that begin beyond the age of 10 years therefore are categorized as old age cataracts and are not genetic. If the cataracts begin between 8-10 years of age they can be differentiated as being old age cataracts or the genetic cataracts by their characteristics. Dr. Gelatt still recommends the first CERF exam be completed at 1 year of age. With this in mind, I urge you to CERF annually while you are using your bichons for breeding. According to CERF, your certificate is only valid for one year so you cannot state that your dog is CERF certified if the year has elapsed.

From the CERF data I receive, the incidence of cataracts are below, which originate only from Bichons that have completed CERF exams. Even if you did not send your CERF exam report into CERF, one copy of the form is sent to CERF by the ophthalmologist, which remains anonymous.
 

  • 2001: total of 38 Bichons with cataracts, 20 of which are punctate with significance unknown
    Total # of Bichons tested: 310 = 12%
  • 2002: total of 49 Bichons with cataracts, 27 of which are punctate with significance unknown
    Total # of Bichons tested: 422 = 11.6%
  • 2003: total of 31 Bichons with cataracts, 14 of which are punctate with significance unknown
    Total # of Bichons tested: 258 = 12%
  • 2004: total of 29 Bichons with cataracts, 9 of which are punctate with significance unknown
    Total # of Bichons tested: 415 = 7%
  • 2005: total of 56 Bichons with cataracts, 16 of which are punctate with significance unknown
    Total # of Bichons tested: 455 = 12%
The incidence of other eye diseases in Bichons in the last 5 years:
  1. Corneal dystrophy 78 dogs or 4%
  2. Retinal atrophy 12 dogs or .6%
  3. Retinal dysplasia/folds 10 dogs or .5%
     
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