Can I ask a couple of questions...

1) When breeders say 'current eye test' or stud dog owners ask for 'current eye test' etc, when is the eye test considered current UNTIL?  I know it is supposed to be repeated every year, but what if either stud dog or bitch was current at the date of mating, but not current by the time the litter had whelped?  (Ie - it had expired between those times).  Would that be ok as far as breed club and Assured Breeder scheme requirements go, and could that breeder still advertise that litter as having 'current eye cert parents'?  I'm guessing as long as it is current at date of mating, that is ok?

2) Is there any reason someone shouldn't get a BVA eye test done whilst on their way to visit a stud dog?  I have a friend who lives in a remote area and is considering a long trip to a stud dog and the eye test will be due shortly after that - could she combine the 2 things and stop off on the way and get her BVA eye test updated, then (assuming ok) continue on to visit the stud dog?  (I can't see any reason why not, but wanted to see if there was something I was overlooking).

Thanks all...

PS Put this here rather than in Health, as questions are related to breeding.

Well I heard somebody say just recently they had had a litter registration application rejected as the eye test was a day or two out of date at time of WHELPING. But in the ABS requirements and recommendations it does clearly state within 18 months of whelping.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/9846/abs_breed_specific_requirements_and_recommendations_web.pdf

I have the same situation myself. Bitch last eye tested mid March last year, was mated in February so will give birth (hopefully!) in April. For my own peace of mind I am having her eye test redone next week.

I see no reason for why it should not be possible to eye test on the way to the stud dog UNLESS the drops put into the eyes might interfere -and of course they do interfere with the sight for a couple of hours.

Thanks re the ABS requirements, that seems clear.

About the eye drops interfering, that was what I was wondering - if it would make the mating a more scary experience, if the bitch's eye sight is affected?  I guess you could do it the other way and have the eye test done on the way back (I'm guessing the drops are safe for any almost-conceived puppies?) - but if it's not a pass, then you have a bitch in whelp.  (Not to mention that many stud dog owners want a clear eye cert to allow mating to go ahead.)

Same goes for your situation - if the mating has happened, and you then have an eye test whilst she's pregnant, what happens if she doesn't pass?  I know it's unlikely, if previous eye tests have been passed, but always a possibility? 

Thx

I did a bit of Googling -it's atropine used in the eyes to dilate the pupil. I don't know the UK brand name so could only find US information, but there it states that it is safe to use in pregnant bitches. But yes I'd imagine it could be a scary experience to be in a strange place and meeting a strange dog, so probably best to wait 2 hours after drops were applied before letting her meet the dog?

Yes there certainly is that risk that the eye test fails after mating. I guess in my own situation (and the one you mention too) there is one way out -my bitch will be eye tested just 3 weeks after mating so should she fail (unlikely, having passed 11 months earlier and being just 2 ½ years old -but you never know) then there is the Alizin option. Better that than having pups and testing again AFTER they have been born, and getting a fail then.

We had to have this done last year with one of our girls.

We had intended to have her tested at The National, but she came into season earlier than expected.  I wasn't prepared to mate without having an up to date cert, and felt it wasn't fair on the stud dog owners to allow us to do this.  The stud dog was quite a distance, so didn't feel that doing the test en  route would be an issue.  We had an hour journey to the eye clinic, managing the to get the first appointment and then travelled a further 5 hours to visit the dog.  We wouldn't have continued on our journey without a pass and phoned the dogs owners to let them know that all was well and that we were on our way.  Our girl wasn't bothered in the least, and the drops had worn off fairly soon after leaving the vets.

The Atropine does dilate the pupils and I ask for eyes to be done without it on very sunny days, it must be so uncomfortable.
I had two bitches done today by the head of the eye panel and he had no problems with my request.

I eye screen yearly.

Thanks folks, that's great.  Tooolz, if they can do the eye test fine without the atropine, why do they use it?  Do you know? Tx

To test in normal light I suppose and the pupil wouldn't be open enough to see the retina.
The vet today tests in a totally dark room so I don't suppose it's necessary.

Ok thanks :)

Goldmali (or anyone), when I click on the link given above (for ABS), I can't (now) see anything about a current BVA eye test being within 18 months of whelping.  Has this changed in an updated document, or is it still the case?