Members,
The following motion has been presented to the ACDCA, Inc. Board as July
business. Please contact your regional director with any questions.
Respectfully,
Tracy Johnson, Secretary
Secretary@acdca.org
MOTION AND DISCUSSION ON ENTRY OF THE ACD INTO THE CHIC PROGRAM
Motion
I move that the ACDCA, Inc adopt standards for entry of the Australian
Cattle Dog into the Canine Health Information Center program consistent with
the discussion and proposal found below.
Discussion
In 2007 a survey on Australian Cattle Dog health issues was sponsored by the
Australian Cattle Dog Health Education and Welfare, Inc. Among the 402
breeders and owners who responded, the following items were found to be of
the greatest concern:
Orthopedic Issues: 338 (83%)
Hip Dysplasia: 299 (89.3%)
Elbow Dysplasia: 202 (60.3%)
Deafness: 315 (77.4%)
Bilateral Deafness: 282 (90.4%)
Unilateral Deafness: 255 (81.7%)
prcd-PRA: 305 (74.9%)
Cancer: 190 (46.7%)
Eye Disorders (other than prcd-PRA): 128 (31.4%)
These responses are consistent with comments of breeders and owners in
various on-line forums as well as with formal and informal discussions held
at National Specialties and other venues over the years. The results are
also consistent with health statistics from other sources such as CERF and
OFA and with the conclusions of researchers who have concerned themselves
with our breed.
Armed with these results we can now recommend standards for the Australian
Cattle Dog's entry into the Canine Health Information Center
program-commonly know at CHIC.
CHIC is a joint program of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and
the AKC Canine Health Foundation. Detailed information on CHIC may be found
at www.caninehealthinf <http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/> o.org
CHIC goals, benefits, policies and guidelines are described below in detail.
In short, when the ACDCA adopts standards for participation in the CHIC
program, any ACD fancier who voluntarily complies with the criteria may
apply for a CHIC number for their dog(s). The CHIC number itself does not
imply normal test results, only that all the required breed specific tests
were performed and the results-whether normal or not--made publicly
available. The program is dynamic in that revised requirements can be
adopted for a breed when warranted by changes in health information or by
the availability of new tests. The CHIC program encourages breed
appropriate testing and recognizes breeders who conduct such testing.
These recommendations listed below are also supported by the Board of the
Australian Cattle Dog Health, Education and Welfare, Inc. (ACDHEW, Inc.).
Quarterly reports of CHIC results will be emailed to the ACD Quarterly
Editor and ACDHEW, Inc. for distribution.
Proposed CHIC Requirements for the Australian Cattle Dog
Testing from recognized foreign or other organizations, not listed below
will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Hip Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
OFA evaluation
OVC evaluation (Canadian-Ontario Veterinary College)
PennHip evaluation
Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
OFA evaluation
OVC evaluation
Eye Clearance (at least one evaluation at two years or older)
CERF evaluation
prcd-PRA DNA Test
Testing from an OFA approved laboratory
First Generation Obligates
Prcd testing of the applicant dog is not required if the dog is a first
generation Obligate A (the result of an A to A breeding where both sire and
dam are tested) or a first generation Obligate B (the result of an A to C
breeding where both sire and dam are tested) if:
1) the prcd-PRA test results for both sire and dam are in the OFA
database and
2) sire, dam and obligate offspring for which CHIC status is being
sought are DNA identity profiled and parentage verified.
The DNA profile paperwork must be submitted along with a completed OFA
DNA-based disease test application.
1) the prcd-PRA test results for both sire and dam are in the OFA
database and
2) sire, dam and obligate offspring for which CHIC status is being
sought are DNA identity profiled and parentage verified.
The DNA profile paperwork must be submitted along with a completed OFA
DNA-based disease test application.
(First generation obligate A's qualify for discounted prcd testing from
OptiGen. http://www.optigen.
<http://www.optigen.com/opt9_normaltonormal.html>
com/opt9_normaltonormal.html ACDHEW, Inc has requested a similar discount
for first generation obligate B's.)
Congenital Deafness
OFA evaluation based on BAER test
Tests recommended but not required for CHIC at this time:
PennHip at 6 months for measuring laxity that is correlated with
future dysplasia
Patellar Luxation
OCD of Hocks
Cardiac evaluation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is CHIC?
In short, CHIC is a database of consolidated health screening results from
multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the OFA and the AKC Canine Health
Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening
protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with
the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered
and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.
What are CHIC's goals?
To work with parent clubs in the identification of health issues for
which a central information system should be established.
To establish and maintain a central health information system in a
manner that will support research into canine disease and provide health
information to owners and To establish scientifically valid diagnostic
criteria for the acceptance of information into the database.
To base the availability of information on individually identified dogs
at the consent of the owner.
What are the benefits of CHIC?
Once in place and accepted within the dog breeding community, the CHIC
program offers benefits to breeders, buyers, parent clubs, and researchers.
* For breeders, CHIC provides a reliable source of information
regarding dogs they may use in their breeding programs. In the future,
breeders can begin to analyze the pedigrees of a proposed breeding for
health strengths and weaknesses as well the traditional analysis of
conformation, type, and performance strengths and weaknesses.
* For buyers, the CHIC program provides accurate information about the
results of a breeder's health testing. For diseases that are limited to
phenotypic evaluations, there are no guarantees. However, the probability
that an animal will develop an inherited disease is reduced when its
ancestry has been tested normal. Further, as more DNA tests become available
and the results are entered into CHIC, the CHIC database will be able to
establish whether progeny will be clear, carriers, or affected.
* For parent clubs considering establishment of health databases on
their own, CHIC provides the answer with no upfront investment required by
the club. The CHIC infrastructure is supplied and maintained by the OFA. The
data is maintained in a secure environment by trained staff. The services
are not subject to the time, technology, and resource constraints that
parent clubs might face on their own. This frees parent clubs to focus on
their core strengths of identifying health concerns, educating their
membership, and encouraging participation in the CHIC program.
* For researchers, CHIC provides confidential and accurate aggregate
information on multiple generations of dogs. CHIC information will also be
useful for epidemiological studies enhancing our knowledge of health issues
affecting all breeds of dogs.
* For everyone interested in canine health issues, CHIC is a tool to
monitor disease prevalence and measure progress.
What are CHIC's basic policies and guidelines?
The CHIC database is a tool that collects health information on individual
animals from multiple sources. This centralized pool of data is maintained
to assist breeders in making more informed breeding choices and for
scientists in conducting research. In order for data to be included in CHIC,
test results must be based on scientifically valid diagnostic criteria.
What does it mean that CHIC is "breed specific"?
Core to the CHIC philosophy is the realization that each breed has different
health concerns. Not all diseases have known modes of inheritance, nor do
all diseases have screening tests. Some screening tests are based on
phenotypic evaluation, others on genetic testing. With all these variables,
a key element of CHIC is to customize or tailor the CHIC requirements to the
needs of each breed. These unique requirements are established through input
from the parent club prior to the breed's entry into the CHIC program. Breed
specific requirements typically consist of the inherited diseases that are
of the greatest concern and for which some screening test is available. Each
parent club also drives specific screening protocols. As an example, one
parent club may allow cardiac exams to be performed by a general
practitioner. Another parent club may require the exam to be performed by a
board certified cardiologist. A club may also use the CHIC program to
maintain information on other health issues for anecdotal purposes. Later,
as screening tests become available, the disease may be added to the breed
specific requirements.
What are the identification requirements for entry into CHIC?
Regardless of breed, each dog must be permanently identified in order to
have test results included in CHIC. Permanent identification may be in the
form of microchip or tattoo. Each test must reflect that permanent
identification is in place
What does it mean to that CHIC is an informed consent database?
CHIC operates an informed consent database. All information regarding test
results remains confidential unless the owner specifically authorizes
release of the information into the public domain. Owners are encouraged to
release all test results realizing it is in the ultimate health interests of
the breed and the information greatly increases the depth and breadth of any
resulting pedigree analysis. For those not quite ready to accept open
sharing of information, there is still value in submitting their results.
All test information entered into the database is available in aggregate for
research and statistical reporting purposes, but does not disclose
identification of individual dogs. This results in improved information on
the prevalence of the disease, as well as information regarding progress in
reducing the incidence of the disease.
When are CHIC Numbers issued?
A CHIC number is issued when test results are entered into the database
satisfying each breed specific requirement, and when the owner of the dog
has opted to release the results into the public domain.
Do test results have to be normal in order to qualify for CHIC?
No, CHIC is not about normalcy. CHIC is meant to encourage health testing
and sharing of all results, normal and abnormal, so that more informed
breeding decisions can be made in an overall effort to reduce the incidence
of genetic disease and improve canine health.
The CHIC number itself does not imply normal test results, only that all the
required breed specific tests were performed and the results made publicly
available.
What is a CHIC report and when is it issued?
A CHIC report is issued at the same time as the CHIC number. The CHIC report
is a consolidated listing of the tests performed, the age of the dog when
the tests were performed, and the corresponding test results. As new results
are recorded, updated CHIC reports reflecting the additional information
will be generated. For example, if a breed requires annual CERF
examinations, an updated CHIC report will be generated every time updated
CERF results are entered. Another potential example is as new DNA tests are
developed and added to the breed specific requirements, updated CHIC reports
will be generated as the test results are entered.
Can CHIC requirements for a breed change?
Once included in the CHIC program, the breed specific requirements are
dynamic. As health priorities within a breed change, or as new screening
tests become available, the breed specific requirements can be modified to
reflect the current environment. If the breed specific requirements are
modified, existing CHIC numbers are not revoked. Again, the CHIC number is
issued to a dog that completed all required tests at a given point in time.
CHIC will provide the parent club quarterly reports consisting of both
aggregate numbers and specific dogs that have been issued CHIC numbers.
What is the CHIC Fee Structure?
Test results from the OFA and CERF databases are shared automatically with
the CHIC program. There is no fee to enter test results from either the OFA
or CERF, and there is no requirement to fill out any additional forms.
To enter results into CHIC from another source such as PennHIP, GDC, OVC, or
parent club maintained databases, there is a one time per dog fee of $25.00.
To enter results from any of these organizations, a copy of the test
results, the fee, and a signed note requesting the results be entered into
the CHIC database should be sent to the OFA. Any additional results after
the one time fee is paid are recorded at no charge. Additionally, there is
no charge when entering results on an affected animal from a non-CERF/OFA
source
My dog has met all the breed specific CHIC requirements. Do I need to do
anything else to receive my CHIC number?
If all the results have been registered appropriately, you shouldn't need to
do anything extra. The CHIC number should generate automatically.
My dog has met all the breed specific CHIC requirements. How long does it
take to receive a CHIC number?
The program which identifies newly qualified CHIC dogs is typically run two
to three times a month, so there is some lag time between the recording of
the last requirement and the issuing of the number. If you believe your dog
should've received a CHIC number, and it has been more than 4 weeks since
the registration of the last test result, you may email chic@offa.org to
inquire about the dog's status.
Is there a charge for CHIC?
Currently, the only fee is to register PennHIP or OVC results since this
must be done manually. To include these in CHIC, the fee is $25. Send the
fee, along with a copy of the test results, and a note asking that the data
be included in CHIC to:
My dog has completed all the requirements for CHIC, why haven't I received a
CHIC number?
The two most common reasons are 1) the owner simply hasn't allowed enough
time for the information to be recorded and in sync and 2) the dog has not
met the requirement for permanent id via tattoo or microchip.
How were the CHIC requirements for the Australian Cattle Dog established?
CHIC requirements usually focus on testing for the most prevalent disorders
known in a breed. The goal is to encourage testing for and acknowledgement
of at least the most common disorders that can be revealed by current
diagnostic methods. Usually breeds entering the CHIC program are encouraged
to establish no more than five required tests as a starting point.
The survey conducted in 2007 by OFA for the ACDHEW, Inc. and previous input
from breeders, owners and researchers helped establish the criteria.
Some of the tests can be conducted at younger ages than the minimum age
requirements that are listed. For example, CERF's can be done at a younger
age, OVC hips can be certified for dysplasia at one year and PennHip can be
done at 4-6 months. Why were these minimums ages established?
The minimum ages were established for disorders that develop over time where
there is currently no definitive test for early detection. For example, hip
and elbow dysplasia may not be evident in a young dog but can develop over
time. With testing at two years it is highly probable that dysplasia will
be detectable if it is going to develop at all. A BAER test for hearing, on
the other hand, can be done at 6-8 weeks as can blood tests or cheek swabs
for the prcd mutation.
What about other tests or using PennHip with puppies for predicting
dysplasia?
Tests other than the minimum criteria for CHIC may be very helpful in
predicting and detecting disorders and serving as an early warning signal to
the breed that a problem is becoming more prevalent. That is why several
other tests
For example, PennHip evaluations on puppies at 4-6 months can be very
valuable in predicting which dogs are very likely to develop or not develop
hip dysplasia. Other orthopedic problems such as Patellar Luxation and OCD
are also known in the ACD. These are all on the list of recommended tests.
With more information, these tests may become part of the standard CHIC
protocol for the breed.
My dog has not been directly tested for prcd because it prcd status is known
by parentage. Do we have to get the prcd test in order to qualify for CHIC?
That depends. Prcd testing of the applicant dog is not required if the dog
is a first generation Obligate A (the result of an A to A breeding where
both sire and dam are tested) or a first generation Obligate B (the result
of an A to C breeding where both sire and dam are tested) and:
1) the prcd-PRA test results for both sire and dam are in the OFA
database and
2) sire, dam and obligate offspring for which CHIC status is being
sought are DNA identity profiled and parentage verified.
The DNA profile paperwork must be submitted along with a completed OFA
DNA-based disease test application.
1) the prcd-PRA test results for both sire and dam are in the OFA
database and
2) sire, dam and obligate offspring for which CHIC status is being
sought are DNA identity profiled and parentage verified.
The DNA profile paperwork must be submitted along with a completed OFA
DNA-based disease test application.
What if I can't get the sire and/or dam DNA profiled?
First generation obligate A's qualify for discounted prcd testing from
OptiGen. http://www.optigen.
<http://www.optigen.com/opt9_normaltonormal.html>
com/opt9_normaltonormal.html The current rate is $95. ACDHEW, Inc has
requested a similar discount for first generation obligate B's.