Canines intended for breeding often times require certification that they are free from hereditary diseases or conditions that will be passed onto their subsequent litter(s). Canines primed to be service animals often require the same certification to ensure they are free from congenital conditions that would prohibit them from performing their duties or that would require ongoing care. For the ocular assessment part of this certification, the examinations must be performed by board-certified ophthalmologists.
These exams are often referred to as CERF exams. Historically, the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) were responsible for providing certification. As of November 1, 2012, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) designated the OFA’s Eye Certification Registry as their endorsed registry and in mid-2014, CERF discontinued its services completely. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) now provides the official certification and thus, the exams are now referred to OFA exams.
- The fee for an in-clinic OFA exam is $81 per dog. Depending on the breed, we can see a limited amount of dogs in-clinic. If you have more than two dogs that you would like to have evaluated, please call us to coordinate.
- For off-site OFA Clinics (i.e., multi-dog exams), the fee is $75 per dog, not including applicable travel fees.
These eye certification examinations do not include any of the basic diagnostic tests offered during our regular consultations. The exam involves temporary dilation of the pupils followed by evaluation of the entire eye and surrounding structures using a slit lamp biomicroscope and indirect ophthalmoscopy using a headlamp and hand-held lens. The dilation usually lasts approximately five hours so it is recommended that you keep your dog(s) out of bright areas for prolonged periods afterwards.
Following the examination, we will fill out an OFA form per pet, recording our exam findings. We only report what we observe and are not responsible for the certification itself. If any abnormalities are identified on the eye certification exam, we may recommend a full consultation and/or further diagnostic testing. *
We will provide you with the copy that you are responsible for submitting for certification. Please keep in mind that our fees for the exam do not count toward any applicable fees owed OFA for certification. If you have any questions or concerns about the outcome as determined by OFA, you must contact them directly.
Please feel free to schedule your pet’s OFA exam online or call us at (323) 992-6962 to make an appointment. Please keep in mind that for certification, your pet must be microchipped. If your pet is not microchipped, we can still perform the exam, however, you will not be able to submit the form for certification later and will need to have it re-performed.
*If a full exam is recommended, we cannot guarantee a same day consult depending on our schedule. An appointment on a different day may be required for a more in-depth evaluation.