CHIC: What is it? What do I need to do?

Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is a centralized health database jointly sponsored by the American Kennel Club/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

Benefit to Breeders:

• A single location of health information regarding dogs they may use in their breeding program.
• As the database becomes larger, pedigrees of proposed breeding stock can be analyzed for health strengths and weaknesses and analyses of conformation, type, and performance strength and weaknesses.

Benefits to Buyers:

• CHIC allows potential buyers to determine from an objective party (OFA) if their breeder performs health testing.
• As the availability of DNA testing increases and results are entered in CHIC, this database will establish whether progeny will be clear carriers or affected by genetic diseases.

Currently, USACTC has many dogs registered with CHIC – and the list continues to grow!  Go to the CHIC website and search under the Coton de Tulear breed for a current listing of registered dogs.  (www.caninehealthinfo.org). This listing is updated on a quarterly basis.

How to Participate:

The following health tests are required for Coton de Tulear CHIC participation:

• Eye Clearance (by CERF)
• Patellar Luxation (OFA evaluation)
• Hip Dysplasia (OFA evaluation)

AND One of the following Health Electives:

• Cardiac Evaluation (OFA evaluation)
• Autoimmune Thyroiditis (OFA evaluation from an approved lab)
• Von Willebrands test from VetGEN
• Elbow Evaluation (OFA evaluation)

For Eye CERF examination, locate a veterinary ophthalmologist in your area that performs eye CERF testing (Canine Eye Registration Foundation).  You must provide date of birth and permanent identification (microchip or tattoo number) for the Coton being tested. USACTC registration number is optional.  Your CERF paperwork will be given to you by the veterinary ophthalmologist.  Fill out the back of the CERF paperwork and mail it to the indicated address.

For the other required testing evaluation, go to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals website and print out the individual OFA applications for the following required tests:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Patellar luxation

For one of the elective health tests go to the following indicated pages to print the application of your choosing:

• Thyroid evaluation  (www.offa.org)
• Cardiac Evaluation (OFA evaluation)
• Autoimmune Thyroiditis
• Von Willebrands test from VetGEN

OR

• Elbow Evaluation (OFA evaluation)  This application is included in the Hip evaluation application. You must tell your veterinarian that you want hip AND elbow x-rays if you choose to do elbows.

Bring these applications to your veterinary clinic if they are familiar with OFA testing methods.  If your vet does not perform these tests, visit a veterinary specialist clinic.  Tests will be performed and x-rays and applications will be submitted to OFA by the veterinary clinic.

The cost of OFA evaluation for each test varies.  These costs can be found on each application.  Veterinary charges, collection charges, and shipping charges are separate.  After the required tests and one optional test are completed and registered with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, a CHIC number will be assigned to your dog. You will automatically receive a CHIC certificate in the mail. OFA will only publish normal results unless you choose to have abnormal results published.

USACTC is committed to maintaining the hardiness of the Coton de Tulear. Through the efforts of breeders, show owners and companion owners participating in the above health testing, a healthy future for our beloved breed can be established. This effort is considered so important to the Coton de Tulear that USACTC has established a partial reimbursement program to defray some of the costs of health testing. The Canine Health Incentive Program (CHIP) is for a limited time.

Click here to learn more about CHIP.

The following laboratories have been certified to conduct thyroid profiles which include FT4D, cTSH, and TgAA tests.  The lab should be contacted directly for sample handling procedures and laboratory service fees before collecting the sample.

Endocrine Diagnostic Center
Diagnostic Center for Population & Animal Health
4125 Beaumont Road, Room 122
Lansing, MI 48910-8104
517-353-0621

Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
1 Sippel Rd.
College Station, TX 77843
979-845-3414

New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University Upper Tower Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-253-3673

Animal Health Laboratory
Laboratory Services Division
University of Guelph
Door P2 Bldg. 49, McIntosh Lane
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
CANADA
519-824-4120 ext. 54501

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Attn: OFA Special Handling
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Minnesota
1333 Gortner Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-624-0761

University of California
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Clinical Pathology, Chemistry, Room 1017
1 Garrod Drive
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-7380

Vita-Tech
1345 Denison St.
Markham, Ont, L3R 5V2
CANADA
1-800-667-3411

Antech Diagnostics*
1111 Marcus Ave.
Suite M28
Lake Success , NY  11042
800-872-1001
PLEASE NOTE: only the Lake Success, NY location of Antech has been certified to process OFA thyroid panels