The SDCA Health and Genetics Committee has expanded the list of labs whose results will qualify dogs for CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) numbers. Even if you don’t want to get CHIC numbers on your dogs, the list of labs below is a resource for anyone who wants to test their dogs for Factor VII deficiency or a liver shunt.

The SDCA enrolled Scottish Deerhounds in the CHIC health testing program* several years ago. Here is a description of CHIC from the CHIC web site:

“The Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is a centralized canine health database sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). CHIC, working with participating parent clubs, provides a resource for breeders and owners of purebred dogs to research and maintain information on the health issues prevalent in specific breeds by establishing a recommended protocol for breed specific health screening and recognizing dogs tested in accordance with that protocol.”

CHIC assigns a “CHIC number” to dogs whose breeders or owners have provided documentation that the tests have been performed. Test results have no bearing on whether or not a number is assigned. For more information about CHIC certification, go to the CHIC web page.

Recently, the SDCA Health and Genetics Committee has updated the list of labs whose results for Factor VII DNA testing or bile acid testing are accepted by the program. Here is the expanded list of labs:

Factor VII Testing
For Factor VII testing, results from labs listed by CHIC will be accepted. Go to the CHIC DNA Test page, choose “Scottish Deerhound” for breed, and “Factor VII Deficiency” for the test.

Bile Acid Testing
Bile-acid test results from IDEXX, Antech, and veterinary college laboratories will be accepted.  Please note that only tests done by one of these laboratories will be accepted.  Results from in-house testing done at private veterinary clinics, even if run using equipment and/or kits from IDEXX, will not be accepted.

More information on bile-acid testing can be found here.

Cardiac Testing
The requirements for a cardiac ultrasound are unchanged.

More information on the requirements for getting a CHIC number on a Deerhound can be found here.

More information on recommended health tests for Deerhounds can be found here.

* Please note: CHIC numbers are a completely different program from our CHIC DNA Bank; your dog does not need a CHIC number to submit DNA to the DNA bank.