OFA Patella Testing for Yorkshire Terriers: Ensuring Strong, Healthy Joints in Your Yorkie
Ensure your Yorkshire Terrier has strong, healthy joints with OFA Patella testing. At Essence of Grace Yorkies, we prioritize OFA Patella certification to prevent luxating patella and maintain joint health. Learn why OFA testing is crucial for Yorkie puppies and how it contributes to producing healthy, well-structured Yorkies in Southern California.
OFA Patella Testing for Yorkshire Terriers: Ensuring Strong, Healthy Joints in Your Yorkie
At Essence of Grace Yorkies, we are dedicated to breeding healthy, happy, and structurally sound Yorkshire Terriers. One of the critical health checks we prioritize is OFA Patella testing, which helps ensure that our dogs have strong, stable joints. This testing plays an essential role in preventing luxating patella—a common issue in small breeds like Yorkies.
What is OFA Patella Testing?
OFA Patella testing is a specialized examination conducted by a veterinarian to evaluate the kneecaps (patella) of a dog. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) offers patella certifications to ensure that dogs are free from patellar luxation, a condition where the kneecap slips out of place. This condition can lead to pain, discomfort, and even arthritis in severe cases.
At Essence of Grace Yorkies, we ensure that all our breeding dogs, including Abbey, have their OFA Patella certification to verify their joint health. This ensures that the Yorkshire Terrier puppies we produce are less likely to inherit this genetic issue, providing future families with healthy, well-structured Yorkies.
Why is OFA Patella Testing Important for Yorkshire Terriers?
Yorkshire Terriers are a small breed that can be prone to patellar luxation due to their delicate bone structure. Luxating patella can cause limping, difficulty walking, and, over time, significant joint damage. By conducting OFA Patella tests, we ensure that our Yorkies have stable, healthy joints, which contributes to a longer, more active life.
OFA Patella testing is especially important for breeders committed to producing dogs that meet the AKC breed standard. At Essence of Grace Yorkies, we believe that the health and structure of a dog are just as important as its appearance, which is why we take the extra step to verify joint health through OFA testing.
The Process of OFA Patella Testing
The OFA Patella exam is a simple yet thorough test. A veterinarian manually examines the dog's kneecaps to determine their stability. The results are graded based on the severity of any patellar luxation present. If the dog's patellas are stable and free from luxation, they receive an OFA certification.
This process is non-invasive and allows breeders and pet owners alike to have peace of mind regarding their dog's joint health. At Essence of Grace Yorkies, we require that all of our breeding dogs, including Abbey, pass this exam to ensure that any Yorkshire Terrier puppies produced are at low risk for joint issues.
Benefits of OFA Patella Testing for Future Yorkie Owners
When you choose a Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a breeder that prioritizes health testing, like Essence of Grace Yorkies, you are setting yourself up for success. Puppies born from parents with OFA Patella certifications are much less likely to suffer from luxating patella as they age. This means your Yorkie puppy will likely lead a longer, healthier, and more active life without the pain of joint instability.
In addition, health-tested puppies have fewer potential vet visits and medical costs down the line, making them a wise choice for families who want a healthy and happy Yorkshire Terrier. As responsible breeders, we encourage all potential Yorkie owners to choose breeders who conduct thorough health testing, including OFA Patella certification.
Conclusion
As part of our commitment to producing healthy Yorkshire Terriers, we at Essence of Grace Yorkies proudly conduct OFA Patella testing on our breeding dogs. This ensures that we maintain the health and structural integrity of the breed, while giving our puppies the best start in life.
If you're looking for a Yorkshire Terrier puppy with strong, healthy joints and a great temperament, contact us at Essence of Grace Yorkies. We would love to share more about our health testing protocols, including OFA Patella certifications, and help you find your perfect Yorkie companion.
Visit our website at www.essenceofgraceyorkies.com or schedule a FaceTime or Zoom interview to learn more about our available Yorkie puppies and the steps we take to ensure their health and happiness.