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OFA Thyroid ProceduresPurposeTo identify those dogs that are phenotypically normal for breeding programs and to gather data on the genetic disease autoimmune thyroiditis Examination and ClassificationEach dog is to be examined by an attending veterinarian and have a serum sample sent to an OFA approved laboratory for testing according to the enclosed application and general information instructions. The laboratory fee will be determined by the approved laboratory. All OFA forms and the OFA fee are submitted with the sample to the approved lab. Check with the referral laboratory for special sample handling and tests for registry purposes.
CertificationA breed database number of will be issued to all dogs found to be normal at 12 months of age. Ages will be used in the certification process since the classification can change as the dog ages and the autoimmune disease progresses. It is recommended that reexamination occur at ages 2,3,4,6, and 8 years.
Preliminary EvaluationEvaluation of dogs under 12 months of age can be performed for private use of the owner since the few dogs are already positive at that age. However, certification will not be possible at that age.
Dogs with Autoimmune ThyroiditisAll data, whether normal or abnormal is to be submitted for purposes of completeness. There is no OFA fee for entering an abnormal evaluation of the thyroid into the data bank. Information on results determined to be positive or equivocal will not be made public without explicit written permission of the owner. Thyroid AbnormalitiesThyroid abnormalities fall into several categoriestwo types will be defined by the registry.
Autoimme thyroiditis is known to be heritable Equivocal ResultsThose dogs with laboratory results that are questionable, therefore not definitive, will be considered as equivocal. It is recommended that the test the repeated in three to six months. Approved Thyroid LabsThe laboratory certification process will include quality control, quality assurance and reagent certification. Laboratories may apply and, if successful, will be approved to perform analysis for OFA thyroid certification. A site visit by a qualified veterinary endocrinologist chosen by the OFA will be required and continued quality assurance and quality control will be necessary to maintain certification. Fully certified status can be obtained by passing the site visit and passing the results of the first OFA quality assurance assay result test. The approved laboratory must be contacted for the appropriate submission forms, sample handling procedures, and laboratory service fee before collecting the sample.
Top Thyroid page | General Thyroid Info | Thyroid procedures |Vet Instructions for Thyroid Tests | Thyroid classifications | Michigan State Breed Prevalence Data | Thyroid statistics | Thyroid Number Key |Thyroid Application | Thyroid Report Sample |
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Over 40 years of dedication to the advancement of canine health © Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, 2007 |
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