The response received indicated overwhelming support for the following:

1. Glaucoma to be designated as a problem in the breed and for Litter Registration Limitations to apply requiring that both parents must be assessed as clear of Glaucoma;

2. Hip Dysplasia to be designated as a problem in the breed and for Litter Registration Limitations to apply requiring that both parents have been radio graphed and assessed for Hip Dysplasia;

3. Elbow Dysplasia to be designated as a problem in the breed and for Litter Registration Limitations to apply requiring that both parents have been radio graphed and assessed for Elbow Dysplasia.

At the recently held annual ANKC Conference delegates resolved for the implementation date to be changed from 1 January 2008 to 1 March, 2009.

Effective from 1 March, 2009 breeders of litters whelped on or after this date will be required to comply as a prerequisite to registration of any litter.  Any parent whelped before 1 January 2002 is exempted.  Dogs must be positively identified, preferably by microchip, prior to being tested.

Please note the following procedures will apply for each disease.

The following procedure will apply for Glaucoma:

• positive identification is required, ie. the dog being tested must be identified by microchip or permanent tattoo number, and that number must be scanned or sighted by the Veterinary Eye Specialist and included on the Eye Certificate
• the dog’s eyes are examined under the AVA/ANKC Australian Canine Eye Scheme by a Veterinary Eye Specialist
• the appropriate form will be completed by the Veterinary Eye Specialist
• results are provided to the owner by the Veterinary Eye Specialist.

The following procedure will apply for Hips and Elbows:

• positive identification is required, ie. the dog being X-rayed must be identified by microchip or permanent tattoo number, and that number must be scanned or sighted by the officiating veterinarian and incorporated in the radiographic plate 
• the dog’s hips and/or elbows are radio graphed by a veterinarian under the AVA/ANKC Hip & Elbow Scheme
• the appropriate form will be completed by the veterinarian and forwarded with the radiograph to an approved reader for assessment.
• results are provided to the owner via their veterinarian.

Owners must provide copies of test results of parents at the time of litter registration.

Dr Karen Hedberg
ANKC Canine Health Committee