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Recommended Health Testing

According to the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), this is a list of required health testing and recommended genetic testing that should be done on all Golden Retrievers before being bred:

  • Hip Clearances (X-rayed and evaluated by a board of specialists at OFA and/or PennHip)

  • Elbow Clearances (X-rayed and evaluated by a board of specialists at OFA)

  • Eye Clearances (performed annually by a board certified canine ophthalmologist)

  • Heart Clearances (Auscultation and/or Echocardiogram performed by a board certified veterinary cardiologist)

  • Full Genetic Panel, which includes:

    • prcd-PRA (Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration)

    • PRA 1 & 2 (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)

    • Ich 1 & 2 (Ichthyosis)

    • DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)

    • NCL (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis)

    • SAN (Sensory Ataxic Neuropathy)

    • CMS (Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome)

    • MD (Muscular Dystrophy)

For More Information

To view further information about Golden Retriever health visit the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). 

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