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This month I want to promote eye tests in dogs at the Sherborne Castle Country Fair. This is taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30th. The Fair has been held every year for over a decade and all proceeds go to local children’s charities. This is made possible by the dedication and hard work of the volunteers who make up the organising committee. Every year the Fair donates almost £50,000 to local charities! This represents every penny of profit earned from the entrance fees and traders’ pitch fees. Please support the Fair if you can, and think of the money you pay at the gate as a donation to help good causes in Dorset.
Inherited eye diseases can affect every breed of dog including cross-breeds. For this reason, all dogs that might be used for breeding should be examined by an eye specialist. This is to search for evidence of any ocular problem that could be passed on to their puppies. It is essential that both parents are examined and given an official Kennel Club/BVA certificate, which lasts one year. Yearly renewal is necessary as some eye diseases do not show up until later on in a dog’s life, sometimes in-between litters. A current eye certificate is so important that I advise against buying a puppy born to parents without them. If a breeder tries to convince you that eye tests are not necessary, just Google inherited eye disease in dogs and look at the list of affected breeds (i.e. All of them). Labradors, Retrievers and Spaniels are particularly at risk.
Getting an examination is easy! This year Nick Burden MRCVS from the Hale Veterinary Group will be on-site at the Castle Country Fair to examine your dogs’ eyes and issue eye certificates. To book your appointment, call either of our surgeries (816228 or 474415) and reserve your time, between 10am and 5pm. You will need to check-in 20 mins before your time as a pupil-dilating drop needs to be given before the exam. The examination is performed in a darkened space and you will accompany your dog to give reassurance. Treats will be on hand as an incentive for good behaviour (for owner and pet!). Although it is rare for any dog to become upset as there will be no vet surgery “vibe” and Nick is very experienced.
When you call to make your appointment, we will let you know what paperwork to bring with you (kennel club registration, microchip number) and the costs of the different tests (glaucoma £44 and routine £35). Three pounds from each test will be donated to the Fair’s charity money. So dear breeders, let’s try to do our bit to improve the eyesight of the dogs we love.
As a little background, I thought I would briefly discuss 3 eye diseases that can be inherited in dogs. These will be included in the eye test. These are glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye); cataracts (opacity in the lens); and retinal degeneration.
Other eye diseases can be inherited (e.g. Collie Eye Anomaly or CAE) and these are covered by the eye test, which looks for evidence of 12 different diseases. Glaucoma can be slow, insidious and can appear quite late in life. It can also be sudden, dramatic and incredibly painful at a young age (particularly in Cockers and Retrievers amongst others). The latter presentation is a medical emergency and although treatment can save vision for a while, eventually blindness will result. Inherited forms of cataracts can also affect young dogs. German Shepherds, Westies and Springers are particularly at risk. Although, surgical removal of an opaque lens restores vision, affected dogs must not be used for breeding.
The original term for inherited retinal degeneration was Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Although described first in the Irish Setter, different forms of this disease appear in many breeds. Some may only appear as early as 4 months old (in the Collie and Setter). Poodles suffer a late-onset form. PRA can now be detected by DNA analysis which can differentiate between carriers and healthy or affected dogs. This information is essential to help plan breeding programs to prevent blindness in future generations. However, the DNA test currently available only detects one of the many forms of the disease. Yearly eye examinations are still essential.
If your dog has a painful eye, is losing vision at twilight or has a “milky” appearance to the eye then do ask your veterinary surgeon to check it out. Red and painful eyes are emergencies and should be treated as soon as possible. Although only very few of these will be due to inherited disorders. More likely a thorn scratch but these are just as important!
