What Is Degenerative Eye Disease in Dogs?
Degenerative eye disease in dogs is an unfortunate part of pet ownership. It is sad to see your companion's eyesight diminish as she ages. Two specific types of degenerative eye disease---progressive retinal degeneration and progressive retinal atrophy---are common in many dog breeds. Although there is no cure, there are things to do to keep your dog comfortable throughout his entire life.
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Progressive Retinal Degeneration or Atrophy
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Progressive retinal degeneration or atrophy (PRD or PRA) is a disease that affects the retina. It can be a case of premature degeneration of the retina (PRD) or abnormal growth of the retina (PRA). Just as in humans, dogs have two types of photo receptors---rods and cones---in their eyes. These enable a dog to generate an image of whatever it is looking at by using the light that reflects through its rods and cones. With PRD and PRA, this process is disrupted and the dog has trouble seeing.
Symptoms and Risk Factors
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According to petplace.com, PRA generally first affects the rods of the eye, which are responsible for aiding vision in dim light. Dogs with PRA will likely lose their night vision first. Signs that your dog may be losing eyesight include dilated pupils and bumping into things. Dogs will eventually become blind from this disease.
Puppies with PDA will become blind more quickly than older dogs. Petplace.com says dogs with the congenital disease will generally lose all eyesight before age 1 year.
Dogs of particular breeds are more susceptible, so knowing whether your dog could be predisposed to PRD is important. Breeds more likely to develop PRD or PRA include Labrador retrievers, Irish setters, cocker spaniels, collies, schnauzers and poodles.
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Diagnosis
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The veterinarian will likely perform a complete medical exam and ask for the dog's medical history. A referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist may be required. This doctor will examine the dog's sensitivity to light and have him navigate an obstacle course. Blood work and x-rays may be ordered.
Treatment
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There is no cure for PRD or PRA, but you can make your dog comfortable at home and give her a good quality of life. Keep food and water bowls in one place; don't move them. Also don't rearrange furniture because the dog will navigate through the house using landmarks. Provide toys that make sounds so they are easy for the dog to find and play with. Consider putting nightlights throughout the house so the dog can move around comfortably at night.
Prevention
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Unfortunately, PRA is generally an age-related disease. However, you can control what dogs you breed or adopt. Petplace.com recommends taking dogs who are known to have the disease out of the breeding pool. Breeders can order genetic tests for potential mates before they breed to prevent possible genetic defects.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jose Roberto V. Moraes
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Comments
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I got my Maltese puppy, Turbo at 4 months of age, and not long after that, I noticed that he sometimes had trouble locating a toy that I tossed to him, mostly when I threw a ball for him to catch. At first, it was only occasional, but by the time he was around 1-1 1/2 yrs of age, it was more prevalent and I could see that he was beginning to develop cataracts. Since I could not afford to have them surgically removed, his eyesight began to deteroriate at a faster pace. Eventually, I took him to an animal eye specialist when I had the money to have the surgery done, and the vet told me that removing the cataracts would basically be a waste of money because he wouldn't be able to see [much] better, due to Dengerative Eye Disease. She said it was more than likely that he was born with it; either one of both his parents had it and very likely that the other pups in the litter probably would develop the same disease. He is now 9 1/2 yrs old, and it more than 95% blind, although he can get around, but barely leaves the bed, except to get his water and food and when I walk him, he his familiar with the route. It's so terribly sad, and now I am his "guide person!"
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Hello... Did it start with cataracts?
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Our best friend and the love of our lives in our family, Jamie, our Yorkie, has been diagnosed with Degenrative Eyes Disease which means he is going blind. We are devastated.
