Health Condition:

Eye Diseases in the Portuguese Water Dog.

Microphthalmia and multiple congenital ocular anomalies:  This is a congenital abnormality present bilaterally and characterized by a small globe and associated ocular defects which can affect the cornea, anterior chamber, lens and/or retina. These associated defects may be variable in severity. Several cases have been identified, all of which appeared to have a common ancestry. All affected animals so far identified have been the progeny of dogs that were phenotypically normal, suggesting that the defect is not dominantly inherited. This can be diagnosed by a CERF exam at eight weeks of age.

Dogs with microphthalmia should not be used for breeding.

Distichiasis:  Eyelashes abnormally located in the eyelid margin which may cause ocular irritation. Distichiasis may occur at any time in the life of a dog. It is difficult to make a strong recommendation with regard to breeding dogs with this entity. The hereditary basis has not been established, although it seems probable, due to the high incidence in some breeds. Reducing the incidence is a goal. When diagnosed, Distichiasis should be recorded; breeding discretion is advised.

Cataracts:  An opacity of the lens and or its capsule, which may affect one or both eyes and may involve the lens partially or completely. In cases where cataracts are complete and affect both eyes, blindness results. Surgery may be an option, but it is very expensive.

The prudent approach is to assume cataracts to be hereditary except in cases known to be associated with trauma, other causes of ocular inflammation, specific metabolic diseases, persistent pupillary membranes, persistent hyaloid or nutritional deficiencies. The exact frequency and significance of cataracts in the breed is not known. Some cataracts have been diagnosed as young as eight weeks of age during a C.E.R.F. examination.

Persistent Pupillary membranes:  Persistent blood vessel remnants in the anterior chamber of the eye which fail to regress normally in the neonatal period. These strands may bridge from iris to iris, iris to cornea, iris to lens, or form sheets of tissue in the anterior chamber. The last three forms pose the greatest threat to vision and when severe, vision impairment or blindness may occur. The exact frequency and significance of this disorder in the breed is not known. This can be diagnosed by a CERF exam at eight weeks of age.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):  PRA is a group of inherited diseases that cause irreversible degeneration of the retina and eventually causes blindness. prcd(progressive rod-cone degeneration) is the only form of PRA known to affect Portuguese Water Dogs at this time.

PRA was first reported in the Portuguese Water Dog in 1990. Since that time the P.W.D.C.A. and their members have supported the research work of Dr. Gustavo Aguirre and Dr. Greg Acland and their associates at the University of Pennsylvania. Their research has developed a DNA marker based test to identify dogs that are either normal, carriers or affected with . The current test for prcd is available from OptiGen. Please visit www.optigen.com for more information

Pattern A or A1, Pattern B or B1, or Pattern C or C1 are used to designate a dogs test results. Pattern A and A1 are dogs that are normal or clear for prcd; Pattern B or B1 are carriers of prcd and Pattern C and C1 are dogs that are affected with the prcd.

Pattern B/B1 and Pattern C/C1 dogs should only be bred to Pattern A/A1 to avoid producing prcd puppies. OptiGen results should not be used to determine if a dog should be used for breeding, or not used for breeding. For information on having a dog OptiGen tested go to: www.optigen.com .

What the PWDCA is doing:

The PWDCA continues to support the research for the prcd gene at the University of Pennsylvania. The PWDCA recommends that all dogs used for breeding have an annual CERF examination. A CERF exam is only good for one year and can only be done by a board certified ophthalmologist. For more information on CERF and a geographical list of ophthalmologists can be obtained from CERF's web site: http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

C.E.R.F. (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) All breeding dogs should have an annual CERF examination. CERF adopted a policy that a permanent identification in the form of DNA profile, microchip or tattoo will be needed for any dog to be registered. Dogs not permanently identified will continue to be CERFed; however, they will be issued a number suffix "N" indicating that the dog has no permanent identification. This will affect all forms with examination dates after February 28, 2001.

Why the PWDCA is addressing this:

Most eye diseases are not widespread throughout the breed, but any disease that impairs a dogs sight can be devastating to the owner, particularly those that can cause blindness.

Current Status (as of Feb 2002):

While there are other eye anomalies are found in the Portuguese Water Dog, we have only listed the ones with the highest incidence at this time.

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Last Edited: April 15, 2007