Puppy eye cert. What age??

[Rick_C]

I'm just sending off a check for the deposit on a pup and when discussing the guarantee on the pups the breeder mentioned having the eyes on the pup checked by 13 weeks.

I'm hoping you all can help with whether this is the customary age for checking pups eyes? Is there a better age? The breeder is willing to talk about it if I have a different opinion so I'm hoping the more experienced puppy buyers and/or breeders can give me some advise.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

[Wyldfire]

I feel the younger the better. Anytime between 7-13 weeks is the best. RD is easiest to see then. Also best to find out young any other issues.

[JepDog]

Ask the breeder why they are not doing the CERF at 7 weeks if they understand the importance of early testing?

[Lady Hunter]

Ask the breeder why they are not doing the CERF at 7 weeks if they understand the importance of early testing?

Could be one of three reasons.

1. Breeder doesn't know that Cerfing eyes early is a good thing.
2. Breeder doesn't live close to a Eye Specialist Veteranian and would be too much trouble to travel.
3. Breeder doesn't want to spend the money for the litters eye exams.

[Bob Gutermuth]

I took a youngster to a CERF clinic a few years back. The vet told me to bring her back after 6 mo. I seem to recall he didn't like to do them too young due to juvenile cataracts that tend to disappear at around 6 mo.

[YardleyLabs]

Not a vet and certainly not an ophthalmologist. However, the ophthalmologist I use suggests doing both -- an early CERF and later repetitions because different problems are best seen at different times. He said he was happy to examine 7 week old puppies for gross problems but that the RD problems could be seen up to at least 6 months. Other problems would not be evident until later. I suggest early and repeated examinations to puppy buyers and provide a 28 month guarantee. I examine all my own dogs before six months and annually thereafter. It's good that your breeder is pushing you to have your pup examined early. However, a 13 weeks guarantee is pretty short.

[JepDog]

Rick,
I test my dogs at 8 weeks and 1 year. Then annually thereafter if used for breeding. Most breeders offer at least a 1yr CERF time frame or include it with the hip portion of the guarantee. I would have the CERF done before 13 weeks but I would also do one later and want the guarantee to cover that extended period as well. I offer a 26 month hip and eye in my contract. As Jeff said, 13 weeks is a little short.

[WRL]

I took a youngster to a CERF clinic a few years back. The vet told me to bring her back after 6 mo. I seem to recall he didn't like to do them too young due to juvenile cataracts that tend to disappear at around 6 mo.

I'm thinking you meant that juvenile cataracts APPEAR around 6 months??

Some Juvenile Cataracts can be seen at 8 weeks.

I do my own litters at 7 weeks. Then I do my own dogs every 12-18 months.

wRL

[Shayne Mehringer]

Just took 3 dogs in for CERF today, including the new puppy. It's good to do puppies early. Many breeders do not because of difficulty in getting a litter in to an opthamologist. Afterwards, the CERF is only good for a year.

All 3 had great eyes today!

SM

[TANK]

I would do the puppy when I got it and again at 6mth and at a year old and at 2 when the hips are done. By then you would hope you are in the clear for any eye and hip problems. I would do a prelim on the hips as well. All depends on how much the pup is and what your expectations are.