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Ocular Health
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals offers a public database of health results submitted by owners. www.ofa.org Annual Eye Examination An eye examination by a board certified ACVO ophthalmologist is required for a CHIC number. The examination looks for any abnormalities and eye health. The test can be done at any age and must be submitted on an annual basis for the CHIC number to be valid. The dog is taken to a veterinarian or health clinic and the veterinary ophthalmologist completes an examination of both eyes. Since this test requires dilation of the pupils it is important to schedule the test at a time that allows for the dilation of the pupils and for the dog’s eyes to return to normal after the test. The ophthalmologist will provide the completed testing form which then is submitted complete with the application form (https://www.ofa.org/application-forms) and payment to OFA. While not required, gonioscopy is recommended. This optional test will evaluate the eyes for potential signs of glaucoma. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) is a family of heritable diseases, as cancer is a family of diseases. PRA causes the death of rods and cones in the eye, beginning with the loss of night vision and then daylight vision. The SWDCA has been at the forefront of working with researchers to identify/develop DNA tests for two separate types of PRA in our breed. prcd-PRA (progressive rod cone dystrophy) is a late-onset type of PRA that is found in many breeds. Because Portuguese Water Dogs and Poodles also carry prcd-PRA, we knew to look for it in the beginnings of our breed here in the USA. Two dogs (one in the USA and one in Finland) were diagnosed with PRA, and the SWD Club (predecessor to the SWDCA) worked with OFA to determine that we could use the same DNA test that other breeds used to identify prcd-PRA. The trait is passed through a simple-recessive gene, meaning a dog must inherit one prcd-PRA positive gene to bsecome affected. prcd-PRA is a late-onset condition, meaning night vision is lost around 6 years of age, and full vision is lost around 9. DNA testing for prcd-PRA is available from a wide variety of laboratories. Results (normal, carrier, affected) should be submitted to the OFA. eo-PRA (early onset progressive retinal atrophy) was identified and a test developed in 2020 through the efforts of Dr. Petersen-Jones' lab at Michigan State University and the SWDCA. The DNA test is now available at several laboratories worldwide. Night blindness begins at 1 year of age, with full blindness by 2-4. Other breeds have early-onset types of PRA unique to their breeds, so be sure you request the Spanish Water Dog variant of eo-PRA. By January 2021, affected and carrier dogs were identified in the USA and UK. It is very likely some dogs on every continent carry the genes for eo-PRA.
Glaucoma The Spanish Water Dog Club (UK) has been working on development of a DNA test for glaucoma in our breed. At this time, glaucoma in SWDs is rare in the United States. |