The importance of eye exams

[Pointgold]

Originally Posted by Megora

Laura... is this something I should be concerned about now while my dog is young and with eye allergies (we live in a wooded/fieldy area and it seems like all our dogs develop eye allergies, especially in summer)?

Everything I've read about Uveitis (I was extremely worried about it last summer when Jacks started developing eye allergies and staining that made his eyes look bulgey though they weren't) says it developes later in a dog's life, as you indicate here?

Well, as Sylvia posted, it's been diagnosed in a dog as young as 4. And because there are people who are not being upfront about it, there could be even younger dogs. Who knows... I'd take no chances, and have an opthalmologist examine Jack. Better safe than sorry.

[goldenjackpuppy]

I think you both are setting a great example for other breeders. It takes a lot of integrity and courage to do what you're doing - it's putting the bad and the good out there for people to see. But it's for the betterment of the breed and I think you deserve a lot of praise for "going public" with this issue. I will be getting Jack's eyes checked asap. We were planning on doing it in a couple of months anyway.

[Pointgold]

Originally Posted by goldenjackpuppy

I think you both are setting a great example for other breeders. It takes a lot of integrity to do what you're doing. I will be getting Jack's eyes checked asap. We were planning on doing it in a couple of months anyway.

Bless you. Submit the forms to CERF. Let his breeder know the results.

[goldenjackpuppy]

Originally Posted by Pointgold

Bless you. Submit the forms to CERF. Let his breeder know the results.

We will. He has some Birnam Woods dogs back in his pedigree but not in the most recent generations. Jack's sire's breeder/owner has at least 1 girl out of Jeeves though. I'm sure she was on Sylvia's initial email but I'll make sure she knows about it.

[Katie and Paddy's Mum]

I am glad that I get Katie's eyes tested annually - she developed ectopic cillia and distachia bilaterally at the age of 1.5 and we work with an amazing veterinary opthamologist that is very thorough. Katie is not breeding stock, but regardless I would never want her to suffer.
This is definitely wonderful infomation to have.

I am concerned about the process here in Canada - for instance, I had to have a veterinary referral before I could even see the eye specialist. My vet fought me on it, and thought he could treat her in-house. I ultimately prevailed, and Katie had to undergo laser surgery twice to remove unwanted hairs that were causing ulceration (it was heartbreaking!) We need to have more ready access to these types of specialists in order for people to go. Right now, we seem to have evolved to the point of understanding the value of proper oral care for our pets, but this has to extend to eye health as well. There is just not enough emphasis on it until the time a dog begins to develop issues. Rarely if ever do vets look at eyes when they are doing an examination - they listen to the heart, check the ears, check the gums and teeth - but never once have I had someone look at the eyes.

I know I digress, but it just frustrates me.

What a great blog post to read, and a very good reminder that eye health is every bit as important as yearly wellness bloodwork!

Kim

[Sunrise]

Thank you for posting this. And I am sorry Zoom was diagnosed, but sincerely hope the treatment keep her eyes from becoming worse.

[Katie and Paddy's Mum]

Just to add another point, when both Katie and Paddy developed distachias I called our breeder to have them inform the other dogs, and she literally shrugged me off. It was so distressing to me. And irresponsible.
PU is a much more serious eye disease and here are brave breeders going public about it and acting responsibly for the wellness of the breed.
It boggles the mind.

I get very upset and emotionally charged when talking about eyes, as I saw my beautiful little Katie suffer so much.

Kim

[LibertyME]

A CERF exam at a hosted clinic is not an expensive exam ....
Here in the middle of Maine, $30-$35.00 is typical and it is pretty easy to find a club that is hosting a clinic. An eye exam with the same specialist in his/her office would be much more.

[Megora]

Originally Posted by Pointgold

Well, as Sylvia posted, it's been diagnosed in a dog as young as 4. And because there are people who are not being upfront about it, there could be even younger dogs. Who knows... I'd take no chances, and have an opthalmologist examine Jack. Better safe than sorry.

Okay... I'll discuss with my vet and see if I can get a reference. It can't hurt getting his eyes looked at anyway if it's just allergies. I'm scared to death of any of my dogs developing glaucoma, especially since I know somebody who has three eyeless dogs because of the disease. And of course our collie has eye problems.

I appreciate you and those other breeders for coming out and discussing/pursuing this issue. I hope it can somehow fixed...

[Pointgold]

Originally Posted by Sunrise

Thank you for posting this. And I am sorry Zoom was diagnosed, but sincerely hope the treatment keep her eyes from becoming worse.

Thank you. She is doing wonderfully. She'll be nine in November, and still has the eyes of an eagle. She loves having the drops put in - she gets a hug, a smooch, and a cookie, and I keep them in the fridge, so I'm guessing that they are soothing. Dr. Ramsey said that it is truly a very mild, very early case. We are hopeful that the drops will keep it that way.
She rules her universe, and is a very happy, and otherwise healthy girl. She's in great shape and keeps the other dogs on their toes!