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Why should I test my dog for genetic disease?
Veterinarians and responsible breeders of purebred dogs and cats are
well aware that hip dysplasia and other inherited diseases can be
controlled by careful, selective breeding programs. DNA tests for
specific diseases remain the "gold standard" in determining
an animal's genotype, but in the absence of available DNA tests, phenotypic
evaluations are the best alternative. Information regarding the test
results from the sire and dam, along with information on other close
relatives such as siblings, half-siblings, aunts and uncles allows
breeders to apply greater selective pressure to produce normal offspring
and avoid affected offspring.
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How do I know which tests I should do for my breed?
A number of sources are valuable in determining what tests are the
most appropriate for your dog. These include your veterinarian, the
OFA website statistics section, local breed clubs, and the health
concerns documented on the websites of numerous national breed clubs.
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I have a mixed breed. Can she get an OFA number?
The OFA does not require dogs to be purebred or registered in order
to perform an OFA evaluation or to register test results into our
databases.
- What do I have to do to have an animal evaluated by the OFA for hip/elbow dysplasia?
Radiographs need to be taken by the veterinarian of your choice. These are submitted to the OFA along with the completed application form and service fee. The application can be downloaded from this site. Detailed instructions on the correct radiographic positioning and required film identification are included on the application.
- Does the veterinarian need to be certified in any way to take the radiograph to submit to the OFA?
Any licensed veterinarian can take OFA radiographs. The necessary forms and instructions for submitting OFA evaluations can be downloaded from this site.
OFA Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Application
General Hip Dysplasia information
General Elbow Dysplasia information
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I've been to my vet and we just sent off the radiographs.
When will I know my results?
The current average turnaround time for hip and elbow evaluations
is approximately two weeks from the time the application arrives at
the OFA. Keep in mind that depending on the method of delivery, it
can often take almost that long for films to arrive at the OFA. For
consultations and the soft tissue databases (cardiac, thyroid, patellar
luxation, DNA, SA), the turnaround time is approximately one week
from the time the application arrives at the OFA.
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My breed isn't listed in your statistics. Why not?
Breeds are not included in the OFA statistics tables until a minimum
number of individuals have been evaluated. For hips, the breeds must
have 100 evaluations in the database. For all other databases, there
must be at least 50.
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Do you do tests for cats?
The OFA accepts cats into the hip dysplasia, cardiac, and patellar
luxation databases. Requirements, protocols, procedures, and fees
are identical to dogs.
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How do I contact you?
The OFA can be reached by phone, fax, mail, or email. Our hours of
operation are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CST.
Phone Number: (573) 442-0418
Fax Number: (573) 875-5073
Mailing Address: 2300 E. Nifong Blvd., Columbia, MO 65201-3806
Email Address: ofa@offa.org
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Can environment or food cause hip dysplasia?
No, hip dysplasia is a multiple gene, inherited disease. Environmental
factors, like high caloric diet during the rapid growth phase, may exacerbate
changes in dysplastic hips but will not create hip dysplasia. There
also is no evidence in the scientific literature that supplements (i.e
Vitamin C) will prevent hip dysplasia. Reduced caloric intake and glucosamine
products in immature animals genetically predisposed for hip dysplasia
may lessen the pathologic changes associated with hip dysplasia.
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I want to screen my puppy, but OFA says I have to wait
until he's two. What should I do?
Preliminary evaluations are available for puppies over 4 months. For
more information, go to the section on Preliminary
Evaluations.
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How do you read OFA numbers?
Example: LR-100E24M-PI
LR = Breed Code, in this case a Labrador Retriever
100 = Ascending numerical identifier given to each animal within
a breed evaluated as normal and given a number, in this case the 100th
Labrador to be given a number
E = The phenotypic OFA evaluation, in this case E = Excellent, other
normal phenotypes include G (Good) and F (Fair).
24 = The age in months when the testing was done, in this case 24
months
M = Sex, in this case a male
PI - Indicates that the animal has been permanently identified in the form of tattoo or microchip. If the dog has been permanently identified AND the identification has been verified by the attending veterinarian, a suffix of VPI is applied. If the animal lacks permanent identification, a suffix of NOPI is applied.
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What does the PI, VPI, or NOPI stand for?
Effective January 1, 2001, the OFA adopted a policy acknowledging animals that have been submitted for inclusion in its databases that have permanent identification in the form of tattoo or microchip. Animals not permanently identified will continue to be evaluated; however, they will be issued a number clearly indicating that the animal has no permanent identification. Animals with permanent identification will have a suffix of PI added to the OFA number. Animals that are permanently identified AND have had the identification verified by the attending veterinarian will have a suffix of VPI applied. Animals with no permanent identification will have a suffix of NOPI applied. Effective 1/1/08, only dogs with verified permanent identification (VPI) will have their OFA data transmitted to the AKC for inclusion in their database.
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Why is my dog's OFA number not showing up on the OFA
website?
The OFA website is updated several times a month. However, there is a short waiting period between the time an application finishes and the data is uploaded to the web to allow time for the printed report to reach the owner.
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Is information regarding the status of my dog's evaluation
available on the website while the application is still in progress?
No. Information is not uploaded to the website until the evaluation
has been completed and reports mailed. The OFA website is currently updated several times a month.
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My OFA report says "Transitional Vertebrae"
below the phenotypic hip evaluation. What does this mean?
Transitional vertebra is an incidental radiographic finding noted during
the evaluation process. Transitional vertebrae are a congenital malformation
of the spine that occurs at the junctions of major divisions of the
spine. Transitional vertebrae take on anatomic characteristics of both
divisions of the spine it occurs between. The most common type of transitional
vertebrae reported by the OFA is in the lumbar-sacral area where the
last lumbar vertebral body takes on anatomic characteristics of the
sacrum. Transitional vertebrae are usually not associated with clinical
signs and the dog can be used in a breeding program. The OFA recommends
breeding the dog to a dog with a clear family history for transitional
vertebrae.
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My OFA report says "Spondylosis" below the
phenotypic hip evaluation. What does this mean?
Spondylosis is another incidental radiographic finding where smooth
new bone production is visualized between vertebral bodies at the intervertebral
disc spaces. The new bone production can vary in extent from formation
of small bone spurs to complete bridging of adjacent vertebral bodes.
Spondylosis may occur secondary to spinal instability but often it is
of unknown cause and clinically insignificant. A familial basis for
its development has been reported. Like transitional vertebrae, dogs
with spondylosis can be used in breeding programs. It is recommended
however, that they not be bred to others with the same condition.
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Does the OFA require dogs to be permanently identified in order to be evaluated or included in its databases?
No, the OFA does not require permanent identification. However, all assigned OFA numbers will clearly indicate whether the dog was permanently identified through the use of the –PI, -VPI, and -NOPI suffixes. Effective 1/1/08, only dogs with verified permanent identification (VPI) will have their OFA data transmitted to the AKC for inclusion in their database.
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Why is my dog's OFA number not printed on its AKC paperwork?
There is a lag time of approximately one month between the time the OFA issues breed numbers and the time this information is imported into the AKC registry. It should be noted that the AKC requires dogs to be permanently identified in the form of tattoo or microchip in order to include their OFA results in the AKC database. Effective 1/1/08, only dogs with verified permanent identification (VPI) will have their OFA data transmitted to the AKC for inclusion in their database.
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Are the sire and dam fields on the applications required
to be filled out?
No, the sire and dam are not required entries, however they are useful
in helping breeders analyze the health records of related animals. If
at all possible, the sire and dam AKC registration and/or OFA numbers
should be included. This will allow relationships to show properly in
internet search results.
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Can I pay extra to have the evaluation process expedited?
The OFA does not offer any expedited processing of applications. Turnaround
for hips and elbows is currently averaging two weeks following receipt
of the application in the OFA offices. For consultations and soft-tissue
databases (cardiac, thyroid, patellar luxation, DNA tests, SA) the average
turnaround time is approximately one week.
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Can I have my female radiographed while she is in
season, pregnant, or nursing?
Some female dogs exhibit additional subluxation when radiographed during
these times. The OFA recommends radiographing three to four weeks before
or after the heat cycle, and three to four weeks after weaning a litter
of puppies.
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How do I get a corrected or duplicate copy of my dog's
OFA certificate?
To receive a corrected or duplicate copy, please send a written request
and in the case of corrections, include the original incorrect certificate
with the corrections indicated. Where possible, please send verification
such as the AKC registration papers to verify the requested changes.
Following receipt of the request, the OFA will update its records, and
mail a new certificate.There is a $5 fee for duplicate certificates
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What if the hip or elbow radiographs were taken just
a few days before the animal turned 24 months old?
The OFA performs hip and elbow preliminary evaluations on dogs who were
under 2 years of age at the time of radiograph. For certification purposes,
the animal must be at least 24 months of age to the day to be eligible.
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What type of identification is required in the film
emulsion of the radiograph?
Each radiograph submitted must have positive permanent identification
within the film emulsion that ties the radiograph to the application.
This should include at a minimum the animal's name and/or number, the
name of the veterinarian or clinic, and the date of the radiograph.
If this information is missing or is illegible, the radiograph and application
will be returned to the vet without being processed.
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What are the OFA fees?
A matrix containing the current OFA fees is located at www.offa.org/fees.html.
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I submitted the fee printed on the application card.
Why have I received an invoice regarding a balance due?
The current OFA fees went into effect on January 1, 2008. However, many
clinics are still using old application cards with the outdated fees.
It should be noted that although an outstanding balance will not hold
up the evaluation process, no results will be released and no final
reports will be mailed until the fees are paid in full.
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What position is required to evaluate a dog for elbow
dysplasia?
The radiograph needs to be the extreme flexed medial to lateral view
of each elbow.
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Does the OFA require the animal to be anesthetized
during the radiograph?
The OFA recommends chemical restraint to the point of muscle relaxation,
however it is not required.
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Does the OFA return the radiographs when the evaluation
is complete?
The OFA scans each radiograph and keeps the digital image for long-term
referral and storage purposes. After scanning, the radiographs are recycled.
Owners may have the radiographs returned if a written request is received
with the application. The fee to return radiographs is $5.00 per application.
Return requests cannot be guaranteed if the request is submitted after
the evaluation is already in process since it is likely the radiograph
will already have been scanned and recycled.
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Does the OFA require the cardiac examination to be
performed by a cardiologist?
The OFA recommends the advanced training of a specialist or cardiologist,
but does not require it. The OFA number issued to normal dogs will clearly
indicate the examiner's level of expertise with the following designations:
P (practitioner), S (specialist), or C (cardiologist).
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Can dogs be reevaluated?
The OFA will re-evaluate animals as often as the owner likes. However,
the re-evaluation must be based on a new set of radiographs. All consensus
evaluations on a given radiograph submission are final.
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How reliable are the consultation results?
A synopsis of the OFA's published study, "The Reliability of Early
Radiographic Evaluation for Canine Hip Dysplasia Obtained from the Standard
Ventrodorsal Radiographic Projection", JAVMA, 11/97, is located
at www.offa.org/hipprelim.html
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Since the hip and elbow evaluations are subjective,
what level of consistency is there between the radiologists?
When results of 1.8 million radiographic evaluations by 45 radiologists
were analyzed, it was found that all three radiologists agreed as to
whether the dog should be classified as having a normal phenotype, borderline
phenotype, or HD 94.9% of the time. In addition, 73.5% of the time,
all three radiologists agreed on the same hip phenotype (excellent,
fair, good, borderline, mild, moderate or severe). Twenty-one percent
of the time, two radiologists agreed on the same hip grade and the third
radiologist was within one hip grade of the other two. Two radiologists
agreed on the same hip grade and the third radiologist was within two
hip grades of the other two 5.4% of the time. This percentage of agreement
is high considering the subjective nature of the evaluation.
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What do OFA numbers beginning with GDC mean?
GDC stands for the Institute of Genetic Disease Control. GDC formerly
maintained canine health databases similar to those of the OFA. In the
Fall of 2002, the GDC databases were merged with the OFA. Numbers beginning
with GDC indicate that the evaluation was performed by GDC prior to
the merge.
Over 40 years of dedication to the advancement of canine health 
