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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.
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- 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%
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