IALA Yearly Extensive Physical Exams for Breeding Dogs

Although the ALAA is recommending, as a minimum, a one time Extensive Physical Exam including Breeders Panel CBC (Complete Blood Chemistry) and Complete Thyroid TgAA, all breeding dogs should be seen by a certified Veterinarian prior to each and every breeding.

These exams and consistent contact with a Veterinarian enable the breeder and Veterinarian to identify asymptomatic disorders and those not identifiable through genetic screening. Breeding dogs with chronic symptoms should be thoroughly tested and not bred if disorders are discovered. The parents of any puppy showing signs of these disorders should be tested and no longer bred if the tests prove positive. This yearly exam that should include: General Heart Screen, Complete (Breeders Panel) Blood Count (CBC)/Blood Chemistry, Full thyroid Panel TgAA, Patella luxation, heartworm test, intestinal parasite test, vaginal reproductive culture and sensitivity test, serologic testing for Brucella Canis, teeth and bite study. The exam also must include evaluation of mammary glands (each mammary glands needs individual palpation for growths and other abnormalities), digital vaginal exam, vulval confirmation exam, exam to rule out vulval discharges and verification that immunizations are current.

Specifically the Blood Chemistry Panel (CBC) should be drawn at least once a year including breeders complete thyroid panel to screen for initial signs of: Addison's disease, Chronic progressive hepatitis, Diabetes mellitus, Factor VIII deficiency or hemophilia A, Factor IX deficiency or hemophilia B, Factor XII deficiency, Hemolytic anemia, Hemophilia A, Hemophilia B, Hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing's disease, Hypoadrenocorticism, Hypoglycemia, Hypothyroidism, Lymphocytic thyroiditis, Thyroiditis, von Willebrand's disease.

If warranted, follow up evaluations include, but are not limited to, Vwd, SA, Heart Screen including ECG, Urinalysis and Thyroid Profile (T4, T3, free T4 (RIA, CTSH, Free T3, Thyroglobulion auto antibody, T4-Autoantibody, T3 Autoantibody).

Possible Disorders include: Abnormal dentition, Achondroplasia, Acral lick dermatitis, Acute moist dermatitis , Allergies, Atopic dermatitis, Atopy, Basal cell tumor, Behavioral abnormalities, Bloat, Cerebrospinal demyelination, Color mutant alopecia, Deafness, Dermatitis, atopic, Dwarfism, Ectodermal defects, Ectopic ureters, Epilepsy, Epiphyseal dysplasia, Globoid cell leukodystrophy, Granulomatous sebaceous adenitis, Hemeralopia, Hypertrophic osteodystrophy, Hyposomatotropism, Intervertebral disc disease, Lysosomal ‘storage’ diseases, Malignant hyperthermia, Melanoma, Muscular dystrophy, Narcolepsy, Otitis externa, Patent ductus arteriosus, Pododermatitis, Prolapsed rectum, Sebaceous adenitis, Sebaceous gland tumor, Seborrhea, Squamous cell carcinoma, Syncope, Thrombocytopenia, Type II muscle fiber deficiency, Ventricular septal defect, Missing or Extra Teeth, Occlusion, Malocclusion, Overbite, Underbite, Open Bite, Anterior Crossbite, Posterior Crossbite, Wry bite, Base Narrow Canines.

The IALA/ALAA is a not for profit association dedicated to the Australian Labradoodle and Labradoodle breeds. Our health information is written in association and/or in conjunction with the following resource(s), veterinarian(s) and association(s). As the ALAA is dedicated to informing our member breeders as to the latest advances in health care, health testing and diagnostic medicines and not marketing an individual breeders program we are able to aid our breeders in understanding these methods and to develop breeding strategies which in turn produce the highest quality puppies. To gain more information on the programs, health testing and breeding strategies the ALAA has written, please ask our consults and current recourses: Dr. Arun, Veterinarian Breeding Specialist, Summit Blvd Animal Hospital (ALAA consultant), Dr. Dodds and Hemopet (ALAA assisting in Dr. Dodds Addisons Research and using Hemopet/Dr. Dodds Thyroid Testing with personal assistance of Dr. Dodds), OFA (Hip, Elbow, Patella and using recommended Thyroid and PRA prcd testing methods), Dr. Kent Wallace, DVM, MSc, DACVR (OFA Certified Radiologist with the highly regarded Veterinary Multi-Imaging Group), PennHIP, (hip testing) BVA (Hip testing), UCDavis (Addisons Research Initiative, ALAA is participating, genetic kit can be ordered via ALAA Heath Committee /UCDavis), Dental Vet (Underbite and Orthodontics), and Vet Dentistry , Optigen (PRA prcd) and Articles, CERF Canine Eye Registry Foundation Antech Thyroid Testing and Addisons Research and Update on Antech Thyroid Testing