Re: [pyrnet] Pyr eyes

[darrell goolsbee <dgg@star-telegram.com>]

Eye exams for breeding stock are recommended yearly by CERF. For pets or
other dogs not being bred, it would not be necessary as often, but eye
conditions change with age. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), one of
the most serious eye diseases in Pyrs, comes in both early and late
onset forms, so a single examination of a young dog might well not catch
it. There are also early and late onset forms of cataracts.

It also should be noted that as of early this year, less than 1 percent
of all Pyr breeding stock in the U.S. had been certified by CERF. 

<<We are being told now that this new
> condition is "one no big deal", but I suspect differently from what you and others have reported.>>

Multifocal retinopathy involves detachements of the retina that form
lesions. But the disease does not APPEAR to affect the dogs' vision and
does not seem to worsen with age.

I don't know that I would put it in the same class as PRA and juvenile
cataracts -- two devastating and blinding eye diseases. But I don't
think it should be dismissed, either. I have talked to Dr. Grahn, and he
described the reason Pyr breeders should be concerned by comparing it to
Collie Eye Anomaly. You wouldn't want to deliberately produce an
abnormal eye. And if unchecked and ignored, you could reach a situation
like collies and CEA -- where it is almost impossible to find a collie
with normal eyes (up to 90 percent of collies have CEA.)

 
<< I am not sure there is any evidence in the breed though that PPM, is
> anything
> to worry about.  I have talked with now five specialists including the
> head
> fo the department at vet school at Univ of Ga and they do not think in
> pyrs
> this is anything other than a non resolving primitive developmental
> condition
> that does not affect their sight.  I have not had one tell me that
> PPM, will
> be a precursor of cataracts.  I have had them tell me that it is
> probabaly
> nothing to worry about.>>

I don't think I would get too worried about PPMs either. They appear to
be common in the breed and do not appear to cause problems.

However, I do think they bear watching and a breeder would be wise to be
aware of them in his or her stock. In several other breeds, including
Mastiffs, CERF will not certify a PPM dog. Clearly CERF does not have
enough information to make this kind of determination in Pyrs, and Pyrs
with PPMs are certified.

There are three basic types of PPM, though there are variations and
unattached PPMs. Iris to iris PPMs cause no problems. Iris to lens PPMs
can cause cataracts at the point they are attached to the lens. Iris to
cornea PPMs can cause damage to the inner lining of the cornea, which
can in extreme cases lead to blindness. (CERF News, June 1997).

Of the 10 dogs to be diagnosed with PPMs at the eye clinic at Nationals,
one did have a potentially more serious iris to cornea PPM -- my late
Pyr Cody.

My thought is that multifocal retinopathy and PPMs both bear watching. I
would not say absolutely do not breed a dog with either of these
conditions, but it would be best not to double up on them. And if a dog
has other "problems" as well, these could add to the case for deciding
not to breed.

Darrell Goolsbee
Fort Worth, TX