Eye Testing

                                                                                      Photo Credit:  Heidi Anne Morris 'Woody'  

                                                                                                www.heidiannemorris.com
                                                                                                                                                                                         
SCOA Health recommends that breeders complete Eye testing on all breeding dogs over the age of 2 years and subsequently every year after that. Eye testing is also a CHIC certificate requirement. CHIC Spinone Italiano

Eye testing is done to evaluate the eyes for numerous eye conditions that could be inherited or acquired. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) "Blue Book" of eye condition statistics organized by breed, can be found on the OFA website.

Eye testing is performed by a Board certified Ophthalmologist.

The Official Organization in North America that evaluates and certifies eye Testing is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) OFA Eye. You may see eye exams on dogs that were certified by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). In the past, CERF was the original official eye certifying organization until the OFA formally became involved.

For OFA evaluation, dogs can be any age for official evaluation.

Dogs should be eye tested every year, as many eye conditions may not be evident until later in life.

Many local AKC kennel clubs host eye clinics that are held in conjunction with their conformation show weekends. Many are listed on the OFA Health Clinic Calendar

According to 2017 OFA Statistics, Spinone have a 0% abnormal eye rate. OFA Spinone Eye Statistics