 |
| Cocker Spaniel Tips Information |
Kerry Ketring, D.V.M., DACVO, a noted canine ophthalmologist, author and diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology, sees more than 8,500 patients a year at his All Animal Eye Clinic in Cincinnati. “For our canine patients in breeding programs, we strongly recommend annual exams,” says Ketring. “Routine examination by a board-certified canine ophthalmologist assists in early recognition of inherited conditions and helps breeders to observe prudent breeding practices.” Until significant heritable eye conditions are eliminated, breeders need to be aware of some of the most common and/or serious Cocker Spaniel eye disorders. Here is an overview of some of these disorders.
The canine eye, like the human eye, has a clear lens inside it that is used for focusing. A cataract is an opacity that forms on this lens, inhibiting light from reaching the retina. Cataracts may begin as small cloudy sections of the lens that do not impair vision. Typically the opacity grows to cover the entire lens and functional vision is lost. Cataracts may develop in one or both eyes quickly over the course of several weeks or slowly over several years. For most dogs, surgery to remove the cataract(s) becomes necessary. “As long as a dog is in good general health with no other significant eye problems, the animal is considered a good candidate for cataract surgery,” says Ketring. “The success rate for cataract surgery is now greater than 90 percent. That is due, in part, to more sophisticated equipment and everimproving surgical techniques.”
The most common method of canine cataract removal is phacoemulsification, the same procedure that is used for human cataract removal. In phacoemulsification, a small incision is made through which a probe breaks up the cataract with ultrasonic vibration. After the entire lens is removed, an artificial replacement lens, called an intraocular lens, is put in place. Another reason cataract surgery is so successful is the introduction of better anti-inflammatory drugs. “Postoperatively, owners can expect aggressive drug therapy for their animals for several weeks. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs have proven quite useful at controlling the inflammation that is a consequence of cataract surgery,” notes Ketring.
Progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, refers to a group of eye conditions involving gradual deterioration of the retina, eventually leading to blindness. The retina is located at the back of the eye. It takes the light gathered and focused by the other eye structures, converts it into electrical nerve signals and sends it on to the optic nerve and then the brain for interpretation. In Cocker Spaniel, PRA has a variable age of onset, from as early as 18 months to as late as seven years. PRA is not painful, and the outward appearance of the eye is often normal. Because of PRA’s gradual progression, early signs are frequently overlooked. An animal with PRA first experiences night blindness and an owner might notice the animal hesitating to walk down a dark hallway or dimly lit stairs.During the day, the affected animal’s vision may appear normal. Eventually, however, daytime vision is affected, resulting in blindness. In the later stages of PRA, owners may see a dilation of the pupils or a reflection of light from the back of the eye.
There is no treatment to cure or slow the progression of PRA. Keeping the dog in familiar surroundings often helps the animal to compensate for his blindness. “Fortunately, dogs adapt
well to loss of sight,” explains Ketring. “Usually it’s a greater challenge for the owners. For them, I recommend a book by Caroline Levin called ‘Living with Blind Dogs.’” Currently, a DNA test for the most widespread form of PRA, progressive rod-cone degeneration (prcd), is available for English Cocker Spaniels. A DNA test for the American Cocker Spaniel is in the final stages of development.
Deterioration of the cornea and the conjunctiva due to a lack of tear production is often seen in Cocker Spaniels and commonly called dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Signs of dry eye syndrome include: redness, thick yellow discharge, rubbing of eyes, cloudy eyes, corneal ulcers and general lethargy. A veterinarian measuring a cocker’s tear production with a Schirmer test strip makes the diagnosis. “Dry eye syndrome must be treated or the animal will suffer from painful and chronic eye infections,” notes Ketring. “Severe scarring of the cornea can occur, often leading to blindness.” If the cause of an animal’s dry eye can be identified, treatment should be aimed at eliminating it. Usually, Deterioration of the cornea and the conjunctiva due to a lack of tear production is often seen in Cocker Spaniels and commonly called dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).
Signs of dry eye syndrome include: redness, thick yellow discharge, rubbing of eyes, cloudy eyes, corneal ulcers and general lethargy. A veterinarian measuring a cocker’s tear production with a Schirmer test strip makes the diagnosis. “Dry eye syndrome must be treated or the animal will suffer from painful and chronic eye infections,” notes Ketring. “Severe scarring of the cornea can occur, often leading to blindness.” If the cause of an animal’s dry eye can be identified, treatment should be aimed at eliminating it. Usually,
0 comments:
Post a Comment