OFA Advanced Cardiac Certification
The Advanced Cardiac results in a two-tiered clearance for normal dogs: congenital cardiac disease and adult-onset cardiac disease. Congenital heart disease in dogs is a malformation of the heart or great vessels that is present at birth and may develop more fully during perinatal and growth periods. Adult-onset or developmental cardiac diseases develop later in life and include for example; hypertrophic, arrhythmogenic and dilatative cardiomyopathies. Many congenital and adult-onset or developmental cardiac diseases may have a genetic component, however the exact modes of inheritance have not been precisely determined for all cardiovascular malformations.
Examination and Classification
Each dog is to be examined and classified by a veterinary cardiologist. Veterinary cardiologists are defined as licensed veterinarians with diplomate status in either the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) cardiology sub-specialty, or the European College of Veterinary Medicine (ECVIM) cardiology sub-specialty.
Clearance Issued
The Advanced Cardiac Database examinations results in a two-tiered clearance: congenital cardiac disease and adult-onset cardiac disease. A breed registry number will be issued for any dog found to be normal for cardiac disease (congenital disease and/or adult-onset disease) at 12 months of age or older. The congenital clearances are considered permanent. The adult-onset clearances are valid for one year from the date of the exam. In order for an adult-onset clearance to remain current, exams must be repeated periodically. The exam must be include auscultation at a minimum. Echocardiograms may be recommended following the auscultation results, or for breeds susceptible to adult-onset cardiac diseases requiring an echo for an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, for an adult-onset clearance, Boxers and Doberman Pinschers also require a Holter test within 90 days of the cardiologist’s examination.
Preliminary Evaluation
Dogs under 12 months of age can be evaluated for the owner’s information. The most opportune time to gather this data is at 8–10 weeks of age, prior to the puppy’s release to the new owner. Preliminary exams do not result in OFA certification.
Dogs with Congenital or Adult-Onset Heart Disease
The veterinarian and owner are encouraged to submit all evaluations, whether normal or abnormal, to help assure accuracy of the database and to assist in the analysis of patterns of inheritance in important canine congenital and adult-onset heart disease. Abnormal information will not be released into the public domain unless the owner gives permission for this release by initialing the appropriate line on the application form.
The Cardiac ExamThe clinical cardiac examination should be conducted in a systematic manner. The arterial and venous pulses, mucous membranes, and precordium should be evaluated. Heart rate should be obtained. The clinical examination should be performed by an individual with advanced training in cardiac diagnosis.
Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology is considered by the American Veterinary Medical Association as the benchmark of clinical proficiency for veterinarians in clinical cardiology, and examination by a Diplomate of this specialty board is recommended. Other veterinarians may be able to perform these examinations, provided they have received advanced training in the subspecialty of congenital heart disease.
Abnormal Cardiac Grades
Grade 1: A very soft murmur only detected after very careful auscultation
Grade 2: A soft murmur that is readily evident
Grade 3: A moderately intense murmur not associated with a palpable precordial thrill (vibration)
Grade 4: A loud murmur; a palpable precordial thrill is not present or is intermittent
Grade 5: A loud cardiac murmur associated with a palpable precordial thrill; the murmur is not audible when the stethoscope is lifted from the thoracic body wall
Grade 6: A loud cardiac murmur associated with a palpable precordial thrill and audible even when the stethoscope is lifted from the thoracic wall
Other descriptive terms may be indicated at the discretion of the examiner; these include such timing descriptors as: proto(early)-systolic, ejection or crescendo-decrescendo, holosystolic or pansystolic, decrescendo, and tele(late)-systolic and descriptions of subjective characteristics such as: musical, vibratory, harsh, and machinery.
The Advanced Cardiac results in a two-tiered clearance for normal dogs: congenital cardiac disease and adult-onset cardiac disease. Congenital heart disease in dogs is a malformation of the heart or great vessels that is present at birth and may develop more fully during perinatal and growth periods. Adult-onset or developmental cardiac diseases develop later in life and include for example; hypertrophic, arrhythmogenic and dilatative cardiomyopathies. Many congenital and adult-onset or developmental cardiac diseases may have a genetic component, however the exact modes of inheritance have not been precisely determined for all cardiovascular malformations.
Examination and Classification
Each dog is to be examined and classified by a veterinary cardiologist. Veterinary cardiologists are defined as licensed veterinarians with diplomate status in either the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) cardiology sub-specialty, or the European College of Veterinary Medicine (ECVIM) cardiology sub-specialty.
Clearance Issued
The Advanced Cardiac Database examinations results in a two-tiered clearance: congenital cardiac disease and adult-onset cardiac disease. A breed registry number will be issued for any dog found to be normal for cardiac disease (congenital disease and/or adult-onset disease) at 12 months of age or older. The congenital clearances are considered permanent. The adult-onset clearances are valid for one year from the date of the exam. In order for an adult-onset clearance to remain current, exams must be repeated periodically. The exam must be include auscultation at a minimum. Echocardiograms may be recommended following the auscultation results, or for breeds susceptible to adult-onset cardiac diseases requiring an echo for an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, for an adult-onset clearance, Boxers and Doberman Pinschers also require a Holter test within 90 days of the cardiologist’s examination.
Preliminary Evaluation
Dogs under 12 months of age can be evaluated for the owner’s information. The most opportune time to gather this data is at 8–10 weeks of age, prior to the puppy’s release to the new owner. Preliminary exams do not result in OFA certification.
Dogs with Congenital or Adult-Onset Heart Disease
The veterinarian and owner are encouraged to submit all evaluations, whether normal or abnormal, to help assure accuracy of the database and to assist in the analysis of patterns of inheritance in important canine congenital and adult-onset heart disease. Abnormal information will not be released into the public domain unless the owner gives permission for this release by initialing the appropriate line on the application form.
The Cardiac ExamThe clinical cardiac examination should be conducted in a systematic manner. The arterial and venous pulses, mucous membranes, and precordium should be evaluated. Heart rate should be obtained. The clinical examination should be performed by an individual with advanced training in cardiac diagnosis.
Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology is considered by the American Veterinary Medical Association as the benchmark of clinical proficiency for veterinarians in clinical cardiology, and examination by a Diplomate of this specialty board is recommended. Other veterinarians may be able to perform these examinations, provided they have received advanced training in the subspecialty of congenital heart disease.
Abnormal Cardiac Grades
Grade 1: A very soft murmur only detected after very careful auscultation
Grade 2: A soft murmur that is readily evident
Grade 3: A moderately intense murmur not associated with a palpable precordial thrill (vibration)
Grade 4: A loud murmur; a palpable precordial thrill is not present or is intermittent
Grade 5: A loud cardiac murmur associated with a palpable precordial thrill; the murmur is not audible when the stethoscope is lifted from the thoracic body wall
Grade 6: A loud cardiac murmur associated with a palpable precordial thrill and audible even when the stethoscope is lifted from the thoracic wall
Other descriptive terms may be indicated at the discretion of the examiner; these include such timing descriptors as: proto(early)-systolic, ejection or crescendo-decrescendo, holosystolic or pansystolic, decrescendo, and tele(late)-systolic and descriptions of subjective characteristics such as: musical, vibratory, harsh, and machinery.
Karen Dennehy & Natalija Zeljic
Small World Puppies (Taurunum Angels Kennel)
Small World Puppies (Taurunum Angels Kennel)