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Preamble
ACC has required
health testing for breedable status since its inception. For many years
ACC has been the only Coton de Tulear Club in the U.S. to protect the breed in
this fashion. As we learn more about the needs to evaluate Cotons for
breeding, ongoing revision of the health testing requirements to reflect current
knowledge of health issues in the breed is important.
We have in the past
required an independent overall health evaluation of the Coton in the form ACC
Health Form to be filled out and signed by your veterinarian. We no longer
require this test but we still make it available for anyone, particularly novice
breeders, to use as a way to involve your veterinarian in the decision making
process.
This form is still
acceptable for submission to the Breeders Health Registry for those who desire
this test listed. The ACC registration application has been modified to allow
the owner to supply information previously required on the ACC Health Form.
The Testing Program
is given below. Applicants now have a choice of tests, one of which is a Blood
Panel. If you are evaluating your Coton with a blood chemistry panel, and even
if a blood chemistry panel is not submitted to the Health Committee, please
remember that certain blood values can be slightly outside the clinical range,
while still being considered normal – similar to taking a person’s body
temperature. Blood panels are not designed to reflect breed specific
differences. Veterinarians look at the values within the context of one another.
Don’t be alarmed if all the values are not in the clinical range but be sure to
discuss it with your vet.
American Coton Club
Health Testing Program
The Coton de Tuléar is a healthy breed overall with relatively few serious
health issues. The American Coton Club serves as a caretaker and protector of
this wonderful breed. To fulfill that role, we take pride in a newly initiated
proactive health program led by an active Health Committee functioning in an
advisory role on matters related to the health and welfare of the Coton de
Tuléar.
In an effort to encourage widespread health testing, as well as ensure all
breeding Cotons with an American Coton Club pedigree are healthy and have the
best chance of producing healthy and long-lived offspring, the American Coton
Club requires a minimum of three (3) health tests performed with a
passing or "normal" result, prior to the registration of any resulting
offspring.
Current ACC
Breeders whose Cotons were issued ACC breedable pedigrees before the
announcement of the new ACC
Health Program on August 12, 2008, rest assured your ACC breedable pedigrees will
be honored. Other than the need to comply with a regular CERF examination
throughout the breeding lifetime of your Cotons, there will be nothing else you
must do in order to be in compliance with the new ACC Health Program.
It is our fervent hope that regardless of whether you have a Coton who is
"grandfathered in" or you are health testing the newest addition to your Coton
family, we hope that all ACC breeders will strive to comply with the new health
plan so that anyone purchasing an ACC registered Coton will be assured the
parents of their puppy have passed, at the very least, the basic health testing
now required. It's an invaluable goal and something we would all be proud of.
These three (3) tests must be performed after the Coton reaches twelve (12)
months of age, and prior to the first breeding. Owners will submit these tests
to OFA and CERF for their written certification. Proof of testing will be taken
from the OFA and CERF web sites after the owner has submitted an e-Mail to
ACCHealthCommittee@yahoo.com with links to
their Cotons page at OFA. Blood test results may be sent any of the following
ways:
-
Mailed
to the ACC Health Committee via U.S. Postal mail at:
81 Katydid Lane Snowmass, CO 81654
-
Facsimile to 214-526-5199
As part of the requirement of issuing a breeding pedigree, the Coton
must meet the following conditions:
I. ACC Age Requirements:
A bitch may not be bred prior to reaching eighteen (18) months of age. Ideally,
the bitch would not be bred until she has reached twenty-four (24) months of
age. Acknowledging there are fluctuations in heat cycles resulting in
variations in timing, valid exceptions may exist. However, it is incumbent on
the breeder to exercise good judgment in considering such exceptions and
recognize that 18 months of age will be the minimum age accepted without a
written explanation from the treating veterinarian.
A male may not be used for breeding prior to reaching twelve (12) months of age.
Although a bitch may not be bred until 18 months or later, both males and
females are eligible to receive breedable registrations at or after 12 months of
age upon certification of the required ACC health tests.
II. ACC Health Testing Requirements:
1. All Cotons will be tested for healthy Eyes by performing a CERF
examination and submitting paperwork to CERF for a valid certification number
and inclusion in the CERF online database. During the breeding life of the
Coton a CERF will be repeated not less than every twenty-four (24) months and
reported to the ACC.
2. In addition to CERF, all Cotons will have a minimum of two more
important tests performed. While we applaud and encourage breeders to perform
as many tests as they feel beneficial for their breeding program, the minimum
testing required is a CERF and two more health tests chosen from the following
list:
Breeders may choose from the following list, which tests are most important to
their individual Cotons and breeding program:
-
OFA
certified Patella
-
OFA
certified Cardiac
-
OFA
certified Thyroid
-
OFA
certified Elbows
-
OFA or
PennHip certified Hips
-
Full
Blood Chemistry and CBC (Submission of blood work must be current within 24
months. The Blood Chemistry Panel is described near the bottom of the
page)
Note: OFA provides for a preliminary hip result at one year of age which is
useful and we encourage, but the ACC requires the full certification at two
years of age.
If you choose a
blood test as one of the three required tests, it must have been done within the
last two years and must be kept current every two years.
Blue Ribbon
Litters
 In
addition to the above mandatory health testing requirements, the
ACC wishes to recognize puppies that come from parents at least twenty-four (24) months of age
and who have had more than the minimum testing required.
These special litters will be given
the designation of ACC Blue Ribbon Litter.
Those wishing to have Blue Ribbon Litters registered with
the ACC must be ACC COE approved breeders. The sire and dam
must be ACC registered and approved for breedable pedigrees
before the mating occurs.
BLUE RIBBON LITTERS:
An ACC Blue Ribbon will be given to litters resulting from parents who
have met the highest standard of health testing available to us and
whose breeders have gone above what is required and invested in testing
that is considered optional.
To receive the designation of a "Blue Ribbon Litter", the breeder will
perform a minimum of FIVE (5) health tests performed on both parents.
These tests will include:
The mandatory three tests as outlined in Section II, as well as two
additional tests chosen from the following list:
-
OFA certified elbows
-
OFA or PennHip certified hips
-
OFA Cardiac
-
OFA Patella
-
OFA Thyroid
-
CMR2 performed by Opti-gen
-
von
Willebrand's
performed by Vet-gen
Blue Ribbon Litters will have a special designation on the ACC
breeder/puppy availability web page as well as permitting the breeder to
use the blue ribbon on their web site for that particular litter.
The ACC wishes to continue our important emphasis on health with the
changing times as Coton numbers continue to increase. By performing
tests the medical community has developed we can assure up to date
information as to the health of a Coton. We wish to keep Cotons a
"healthy breed” and the best way to accomplish this is to breed only
clinically clear offspring. As medical issues occur, the ACC will keep
statistics on those diseases and change testing protocols as needed.
You may
access the online application at
BRL.
If you have
questions please feel free to send us an email to
ACCHealthCommittee@yahoo.com, or
telephone the ACC at 650-494-0390.
*
Blue Ribbon
Litter graphic graciously designed by Lynn Baron.
Blood Chemistry Information
(Submission of Blood Work must be current within 24 months)
Blood
Chemistry Panel must include:
ALBUMIN - Albumin is a common blood protein produced by the
liver. Decreased albumin levels are
commonly encountered in liver disease (i.e., cirrhosis), certain types
of kidney disease or parasitic infections such as hookworm. High levels
indicate dehydration and loss of protein.
ALP OR ALKP - ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
- this enzyme is found in many different tissues within the body,
primarily liver, bone, intestines, and kidneys. Increased ALP levels can
be seen with liver disease and gallbladder disorders. In addition, drugs
such as corticosteroids and Phenobarbital can cause increased ALP
levels. Very high ALP levels can be seen in dogs with adrenal gland
disease as well.
ALT - ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE - This enzyme is considered to be
liver specific in the dog. Increased levels of ALT are an indicator of
damage to liver cells, as this enzyme is contained within the liver cell
itself. When the cell is injured, the enzyme is released into the
bloodstream and the increased level can be measured.
AMYLASE - Amylase is a digestive enzyme found in the pancreas.
Increased levels of amylase often indicate pancreatic inflammation.
However, many dogs with pancreatic disease have normal amylase levels.
AST - Aspartate Aminotransferase - an enzyme seen in the liver,
heart, kidney, skeletal muscle and brain. The half life of the AST in
the blood stream is much shorter than that of ALT; therefore the values
of AST tend to drop more rapidly once liver function is resumed. AST
elevations and ALT elevations should parallel each other in liver
disease.
BUN - Blood urea nitrogen, is
produced by the liver and excreted through the kidneys. Elevated levels
can indicate kidney disease, but can also be caused by dehydration or
urinary tract obstruction. Low BUN levels are seen in patients with
chronic liver disease.
CA - CALCIUM - Blood calcium levels are influenced by diet,
hormone level and blood protein levels. Decreased levels indicate acute
damage to the pancreas or under-active
parathyroid. Muscle twitches may occur in decrease calcium
levels. Increased levels can be an indicator of certain types of tumors,
parathyroid or kidney disease.
CHOLESTEROL - Cholesterol values in the dog are not thought to
have as much significance with regards to the heart as they do in
humans. Decreased levels are often found in an overactive thyroid gland
or intestinal mal-absorption. Elevated levels of cholesterol are seen in
a variety of disorders including hypothyroidism and diseases of the
liver, kidneys, cardiovascular, diabetes and stress.
CREATININE - Creatinine values are used to evaluate kidney
function in the dog. Elevated values are seen in chronic and acute
kidney failure.
GGT - Gamma Glutamyltransferase - This enzyme is has its highest
concentration in the kidneys and pancreas, but it is also found in the
liver and other organs. The major proportion of GGT in the serum seems
to come from the liver. Elevations of GGT in disease seem to stem from
new synthesis rather than leakage; therefore the changes seen due to
disease are not spectacular. Large elevations of GGT are more commonly
associated with pancreatitis and bile duct
obstruction.
GLUCOSE - Increased blood levels of glucose in the dog often
signal diabetes, whereas low blood sugar levels are seen with
nutritional problems as well as pancreatic tumors.
PHOSPHOROUS - Elevated blood levels of phosphorous can signify
kidney disease, parathyroid disease, or certain bone conditions.
TBIL - Total Bilirubin is a component of bile; bilirubin is
secreted by the liver into the intestinal tract. High levels can lead to
jaundice and indicate destruction in the liver and bile duct.
TOTAL PROTEIN - Total protein levels are increased in patients
with dehydration or chronic inflammatory conditions. Increases indicate
dehydration or blood cancer, bone marrow cancer. Decreases
indicate malnutrition, poor digestion, liver disease, kidney disease,
bleeding or burns.
GLOB - Decreased levels indicate problems with antibodies,
immunodeficiency viruses or risk of infectious disease. Increased levels
may indicate stress, dehydration, blood cancer, allergies, liver
disease, heart disease, arthritis or diabetes.
CBC
-
Hematocrit (PCV)
-
Hemoglobin
-
Red Blood Cell Count
-
White Blood Cell Count
-
Neutrophils
-
Lymphocytes
-
Monocytes
-
Eosinophils
-
Basophils
-
Platelets
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
Frequently
Asked Questions about the ACC Health Program
My
Coton had a CERF
examination 22 months ago and I plan to breed her next month. Do I need to get
another CERF, or can I wait until after her puppies are born and
weaned?
- Yes, you
need to get another CERF. All breeding Cotons must have a
CERF (registered with CERF) no less than every 24
months. If you are planning a litter and your Coton has not had a CERF
in the previous 24 months, then you should plan accordingly and schedule an
appointment for your Coton to have another CERF test as soon as
possible.
I
have some OFA health forms my vet signed and the CERF paper my
ophthalmologist signed. Can I just send those to you?
- No, we
are not able to do anything with your original paperwork. All health
testing must be submitted to CERF & OFA (as applicable). The Health
Committee will verify the tests on-line at OFA and CERF, so there
is no need to send us your original paperwork or your certificates. The
only tests you might need to send to the Health Committee are DNA tests not
already listed at OFA, and any Bloodwork you wish to submit.
I am an
ACC breeder and my Coton was registered as breedable by ACC in 2001. Do I have to get additional
OFA testing on him?
- No, you
do not. Cotons issued ACC breedable pedigrees prior to August 12, 2008 have been
"grandfathered in". While you do need to keep up with the CERF
requirements, your Coton will not be required to have the additional two
health tests, unless you make a request for a Blue Ribbon Litter award.
However, we encourage you to have this basic level of testing done anyway,
as we would like all Cotons registered with an ACC breedable pedigree to
have the same basic health testing as every other Coton with a breedable
pedigree issued by ACC.
My
Coton is 10 months old and I'm excited to get his health testing done so I can
get his ACC breedable pedigree. Is it okay if I go ahead and schedule his
health testing a month or two early?
- We do
not accept health tests performed on 10 and 11 month old Cotons. Please
wait until your Coton is 12 months old before testing, unless you are doing
DNA tests such as CMR and/or vWD, which can be done at any age after
weaning.
I
printed out the ACC Health form and my vet filled it out. Can I use that as one
or two of my OFA required tests, since it's the same type of examination anyway?
- The ACC
Health form that your veterinarian filled out does not count as one of the
required tests, although it can still be used and is useful, especially to
novice breeders. We encourage you to continue using the ACC health form if
you find it useful, as it is a good opportunity to discuss all of the
physical aspects of your Coton with your veterinarian. If you choose to use
the ACC Health Form we would be happy to list it in the ACC Health Registry
pdf file located at:
http://www.cotondogs.com/health_certified_dogs.htm
My
Cotons have had almost every health test known to the animal kingdom and they
passed everything with flying colors. I'm planning to breed my 3 year female
Coton to my new male who is 18 months old. Can I get a Blue Ribbon Litter award
for their puppies?
- No, I'm
sorry but the Blue Ribbon Litter designation will not be issued to litters
of puppies coming from parents less than 24 months of age. In choosing 24
months as the determining age for BRL's, it's more likely both parents are
mature both physically and psychologically. Twenty-four (24) months of age
is also the age OFA set for accepting full certification on Hips & Elbows.
This will allow you to take advantage of those two additional health tests
if you should so choose. Your male will be old enough in no time at all and
we look forward to your application when he is a little older.
I
have been an ACC
COE breeder for a long time. I have puppies right now and both
parents are over 24 months old and have had 5 health tests each. Can I get a
Blue Ribbon Litter award for their puppies?
- As long
as you are an ACC COE breeder in good
standing, then yes you may. If you wish to apply for the Blue Ribbon Litter
award on your litter of Coton puppies then you must first fill out the
on-line application form and supply all of the pertinent health information
requested. Here is a link to the form:
http://www.cotondogs.com/acc_blue_ribbon_litter_applicati.htm
My
Coton is 5 years old and in excellent health. We took him for his CERF
examination when he was one year old and the eye vet told us he had the best
looking eyes he'd ever seen. His eyes look fine to me. Do we have to get
another eye examination?
- Yes, you
must have a CERF done at least every 24 months if you wish to
remain an ACC COE breeder in good
standing. Many breeders have a CERF examination every 12 months
during the breeding life of their Coton, and we applaud them for their
efforts. If you wish to continue breeding your male and be able to register
his offspring with ACC, then yes, you must continue to have him CERF
tested.
I
have a Blue Ribbon Litter right now and just received your confirmation email
and the BRL graphic. Can I put the BRL graphic on the home page of my web site?
- The Blue
Ribbon Litter designation is awarded to specific litters, for a specific
duration of time (typically 12 weeks from date of birth). When you use the
graphic on your web site it must be specifically linked to only the litter
it was awarded to. In general, your home page is probably not the best
placement for your BRL graphic unless you also have a statement that it is
only applicable to the litter it was awarded to. It would be better to
place the graphic on the same page as the litter who was awarded the Blue
Ribbon Litter designation.
I
had a Blue Ribbon Litter a few months ago but now all of my puppies have gone on
to their forever homes. I think the BRL graphic is cute; can I keep it on my
web site?
- No you
may not. The Blue Ribbon Litter graphic must be removed from your web site
and any advertising you've used it in, after you have placed your puppies.
Typically this will be within 12 weeks from your puppy's date of birth. If
you still have puppies available from your BRL after 12 weeks, please let us
know and we will extend the time you may use the graphic.
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