Understanding Health Tests
Health testing is the single most important factor in choosing a breeder. This guide explains what health testing is, why it matters, which tests are important, and how to verify that testing was actually done.
Why health testing matters
Many genetic conditions can be screened before breeding. Responsible breeders test breeding animals to reduce the likelihood of producing offspring with preventable diseases.
What health testing prevents
- • Hip and elbow dysplasia: Painful joint conditions requiring expensive surgery or causing lifelong arthritis
- • Heart conditions: Like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats, dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
- • Eye diseases: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, and other conditions leading to blindness
- • Kidney disease: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in cats and certain dog breeds
- • Blood disorders: Von Willebrand disease, hemophilia
- • Neurological conditions: Degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy
- • Metabolic disorders: Breed-specific conditions like copper storage disease
These conditions cause suffering and often require thousands of dollars in treatment. Many are preventable through proper health testing and breeding decisions.
Types of health testing
Physical examinations and imaging
These tests evaluate physical structure and function:
- • OFA hip/elbow evaluation: X-rays evaluated by veterinary radiologists for joint health (primarily dogs)
- • PennHIP: Alternative hip evaluation measuring joint laxity
- • Cardiac evaluation: Veterinary cardiologist examines heart structure and function
- • Eye examination (CERF/CAER): Veterinary ophthalmologist checks for hereditary eye diseases
- • Patella evaluation: Checks for luxating patellas (primarily small dogs)
Genetic testing
DNA tests identify carriers of genetic mutations:
- • Breed-specific genetic panels: Test for multiple conditions at once
- • Individual mutation tests: Target specific known genetic diseases
- • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): Multiple types across breeds
- • Von Willebrand disease: Bleeding disorder in dogs
- • PKD (polycystic kidney disease): Common in Persian cats and related breeds
- • Degenerative myelopathy: Progressive neurological disease
Coefficient of inbreeding (COI)
Not a health test per se, but measures genetic diversity in a planned breeding. Lower COI generally means healthier puppies with better immune systems and fewer genetic issues. Responsible breeders calculate and consider COI when planning breedings.
Common tests by species
Dogs
Common baseline tests (breed-specific requirements vary):
- • Hip evaluation (OFA or PennHIP)
- • Elbow evaluation (for medium and large breeds)
- • Eye examination (CAER)
- • Cardiac evaluation (especially for breeds prone to heart disease)
- • Genetic panel for breed-specific conditions
- • Patella evaluation (small and toy breeds)
Cats
Common tests (breed-specific requirements vary):
- • HCM screening (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) via echocardiogram
- • PKD testing (polycystic kidney disease), especially for Persians and related breeds
- • Hip evaluation for larger breeds like Maine Coons
- • PRA testing for breeds prone to progressive retinal atrophy
- • Genetic panels for breed-specific conditions
- • Blood typing (important for breeding to prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis)
Important: Test requirements vary significantly by breed. Research your specific breed's recommended health tests through the breed's parent club or national breed organization.
How to verify health test results
Public databases
Legitimate health tests are typically registered with public databases you can search independently:
- • OFA.org (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals): Searchable database of hip, elbow, cardiac, eye, and other test results
- • PennHIP database: Hip evaluation results
- • CHIC (Canine Health Information Center): Consolidated health testing database
Ask the breeder for the registered names of both parents, then look them up yourself. Results should match what the breeder told you.
What to look for
- • Test results should be from before the breeding occurred
- • Results should be publicly viewable or accompanied by official documentation
- • Both parents should be tested (not just one)
- • Tests should be appropriate for the breed and current recommendations
- • Some tests (like cardiac and eye exams) should be repeated periodically
Red flags
- • "My vet says they're healthy" (not the same as health testing)
- • Breeder can't or won't provide documentation
- • Results can't be verified independently
- • Only one parent tested
- • "I do my own health testing" (no certification)
Understanding test results
OFA hip grades
- • Excellent: Superior conformation
- • Good: Above average
- • Fair: Acceptable for breeding with careful selection
- • Borderline: Requires careful consideration
- • Mild/Moderate/Severe Dysplasia: Should not be bred
Genetic test results
- • Clear/Normal: No copies of the mutation
- • Carrier: One copy of the mutation (won't show disease but can pass it on)
- • Affected: Two copies of the mutation (will show disease)
For recessive conditions, breeding clear to carrier is generally acceptable and produces no affected puppies. Breeding carrier to carrier risks producing affected offspring.
Clear by parentage
For some recessive genetic conditions, if both parents are DNA tested clear, offspring are automatically clear without individual testing. This is legitimate for those specific conditions.
However, "clear by parentage" doesn't work for physical evaluations (hips, eyes, heart) or dominant/incomplete dominant conditions—those require individual testing.
Why both parents need testing
Both parents contribute genetically to offspring. Testing only one parent leaves half the equation unknown.
For recessive conditions
If both parents carry a recessive mutation, 25% of offspring will be affected. You can't know the risk if only one parent is tested.
For physical evaluations
Hip dysplasia, heart conditions, and eye diseases are influenced by both parents' genetics. Testing both parents reduces risk.
Common excuses
Problematic explanations you might hear:
- • "The stud owner handles testing" (Ask for documentation—you still need to verify)
- • "I tested the mom, that's enough" (It's not)
- • "The dad is a champion so he must be healthy" (Titles don't replace health testing)
Understanding COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding)
COI measures how closely related the parents are and predicts how inbred the offspring will be. Lower is generally better.
Why COI matters
- • High inbreeding increases risk of genetic disease
- • Reduces immune system effectiveness
- • Can affect fertility, litter size, and puppy/kitten survival
- • Decreases overall vitality and lifespan
General guidelines
COI interpretation varies by breed (some breeds have unavoidably high baseline COI):
- • 0-5%: Low inbreeding, generally ideal
- • 5-10%: Moderate, acceptable in many breeds
- • 10-15%: High, requires careful justification
- • 15%+: Very high, concerning unless breed circumstances require it
Ask breeders what the COI is for the litter and why they chose that breeding pair. Thoughtful answers demonstrate responsible breeding.
How breeders manage health testing
Professional breeders use tools like BreederHQ to track health test results, manage genetic data, calculate COI, and maintain complete health records for all breeding animals. When a breeder can quickly show you comprehensive health testing documentation, it's often because they're using professional management systems that organize this information.
Organized health records are a sign of a serious breeding program that prioritizes animal welfare.
Frequently asked questions
How much does health testing cost?
Comprehensive health testing typically costs $500-2000+ per breeding animal depending on breed requirements. This is one reason responsibly bred puppies and kittens cost more—the testing expense is built into the price.
Does health testing guarantee a healthy puppy?
No. Health testing reduces risk but can't eliminate it entirely. However, tested parents produce significantly healthier offspring on average than untested parents.
What if a test comes back with less-than-perfect results?
Good breeders make informed decisions. A "fair" hip rating might be acceptable paired with an "excellent" partner. A carrier for a recessive condition can be bred to a clear animal safely. What matters is transparency and thoughtful breeding decisions.
Should I get my puppy or kitten tested?
For genetic conditions with clear by parentage documentation, usually not necessary. For later-onset conditions or if you plan to breed, testing may be appropriate. Ask your veterinarian and breeder for recommendations.
Where can I learn which tests my breed needs?
Start with your breed's parent club or national breed organization. They publish recommended health testing guidelines. The OFA website also lists recommended tests by breed.