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Dear Readers: I would like to share with all of you an excerpt from a book called "Inherited Eye Diseases in purebred Dogs' by Lionel F. Rubin D.V.M., Med. Sci (Ophth). It will be of some interest to some and should be of interest to all breeders of all purebred dogs. I am just going to give the Pug diseases as we all have Pugs at heart. The breed standard indicates the Pug should have a large, massive round head with very large, bold and prominent eyes. These characteristics give rise to the exposure and irritative problems so common in the eyes of the breed.
CARUNCULAR TRICHIASIS In this condition long soft hairs in clumps arise from the caruncular area of the medial canthus and seem to act as a wick, allowing tears to stain the face in a streak. The hairs seem to soft to be damaging to the cornea but Wyman (4) believes them to be a source of chronic mild keratitis and corneal pigmentation. The affected dogs seem unconcerned. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PET OWNER Treatment is surgical, removing the caruncle, or cryotherapy can be used to destroy the associated hair follicles. The later treatment can produce localized depigmentation.
DISTICHIASIS This condition is seen in Pugs less than one year of age. The excessive lashes generally arise from the upper lids bilaterally. Severe distichiasis produces corneal ulceration in the upper portion. Similar lesions and pigmentation can occur in the same area as a result of lagophthalmos or, in some cases of an inability to close the eyes while sleeping. Most instances of corneal pigmentation result from irritation of medial origin, either nasal fold trichiasis or lagophthalmos. The condition is thought by some to be inherited in a dominant pattern, while others suggest that it is a recessive trait. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PET OWNER If the excessive lashes are causing discomfort or more serious signs (blepharospasm, recurrent ulcerations) intervention is indicated. Plucking of the extra lashes is efficient, although temporary, and may be effective for up to a 6 month period. In severely affected dogs surgical interference may be warranted. Cryotherapy is often successful. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE BREEDER Although some familial tendency is recognized, the pattern of inheritance is not clear. Severely affected animals should not be used in a breeding program.
TRICHIASIS Hidgman (2) implies that trichiasis is hereditary in the breed.
ENTROPION (NONSPASTIC MEDIAL) A type of entropion occurs in the medial lower lid near the canthal area. The age of onset is generally 4 months to I year of age. Affected pups have some swelling of the canthal area as well. The combination afrectively prevents access of tears to the lower lacrimal punctum and results in epiphora, the quantity of which varies with the amount of irritants present in the environment. Generally the medial nonspastic type affects all or the litter, while the spastic type affects less than half of the litter.
ULCERATIVE KERATITIS Ulcerative keratitis is present as a breed characteristic. There is no apparent sex diffcrcniiat ion and young dogs are commonly affected. The ulcers are usually recurrent and result in gradual thinning of the cornea, which increases the likelihood of perforation later. The ulcer is usually located in a central or paracentral corneal position, and its course is rapidly progressive. Although the incition cause is often thought to be traumatic, evidence for this is usually lacking. Many affected dogs show no signs of pain, blepharospasm, or protrusion of the nictitating membrane, as is usual in non brachycephalic breeds. Healing is often unpredictable. Healing by vascularization is common. The pathogenis varies: some dogs have subnormal corneal sensitivity, blink less frequently than normal and thus undergo localized drying, or have lagophihalmos. The affected corneas stain with 0.5% rose bengal. Other associated factors include the presence of distichiasis or trichiasis.
CATARACTS Nicolas (3) recorded a hereditary tendency for cataracts in Pugs. The condition seems to be very rate now. No details are available.
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY Progressive retinal atrophy has been reported in 4 male dogs, a 5 year old, a 9 year old, a 10 year old and a 12 year old. The ophthalmoscopic appearance is typical, with hyperreflective tapetal fundus, pallor or the iptic disks, and retinal vascular attenuation. Nyctalopia is a cardinal behavioral sign. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PET OWNER Affected dogs lose vision completely, although day vision may be retained for variable time. No treatment is available. The condition is not associated with pain or discomfort. N.B. Although, this book states there is no pain or discomfort, check with your veterinarian, because it is not unheard of for this condition to cause unnecessary pain in other breeds that also develop this condition. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE BREEDER There have been no investigations into the genetic mechanisms in this breed, but the presumption is that the condition, as in other breeds is recessively transmitted. Neither affected animals nor their sires and dams should be used in a breeding program. To limit the spread of the condition littermates should not be bred as each littermate carries a 0.67% likelihood of being a carrier. Progeny and siblings should be examined ophthalmologically. Compared to most breeds, the Pug has very few eye problems that we have to worry about. I think it is a good idea to have all your breeding stock checked by a qualified vet at least once a year. For some that is very easy and for others that live in remote areas it is not very easy. I happen to belong to a kennel club that brings a Dr. up to our area once a year for the test only. If we have to have any operations done we must either take or send our dogs to a larger Centre to have it done. I hope this article will be of some help. Lorna Sieben |