' Inherited Eye Defects'

 

The two most serious eye defects affecting Cavaliers are
Cataracts and Retinal Dysplasia.

 Cataracts

A Cataract is the loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye.  Sometimes they start out as small posts on the lens and suddenly grow larger. Cataracts can be caused by a number of factors. 

Hereditary  Cataracts which are hereditary usually occur bilaterally (both eyes) and appear in early life.  
Injury Traumatic injury to the eye is another cause of cataracts.  This type of cataract occurs secondary to intraocular inflammation or lens luxation.  In around 50% of cases cataracts acquired by injury to a very young dog, the cataract may disappear with age.  
                             OTHER CAUSES:  
Metabolic Problems Sometimes in later life, cataracts develop due to metabolic problems.  Cavaliers suffering from diabetes mellitus typically develop rapidly progressing cataracts in both eyes. These appear quickly and usually lead to complete blindness.  Once the cataracts form, there is no medical treatment available to reverse this progress  

Retinal Dysplasia

Retinal Folds  These are malformations affecting the retina of the eye.  Often puppies have folds which look little squiggles on the retina, these usually disappear by 1 year of age.  Cavaliers suffering from Retinal folds can often be CERTIFIED EYE CLEAR.  
Geographic Dysplasia This is a malformation of the retina  similar to 'folds' but larger in size.  This is a more severe form of Retinal Folds and affected animals should not be bred from. Affected dogs are NOT CERTIFIED EYE CLEAR.  
Retinal Detachment This is the most severe form and can lead to blindness in some breeds.  Affected animals are not to be bred from and are NOT CERTIFIED EYE CLEAR.  
     

Picture Below: Arrows Showing Retinal folds on Puppy.

PLEASE ASK TO VIEW ALL CERTIFICATES OF THE PARENTS ISSUED BY A OPHTHALMOLOGIST OF ANY CAVALIER PUPPY YOU MAY CONSIDER PURCHASING

CLICK TO VIEW
A COPY OF A OPHTHALMOLOGIST EYE CERTIFICATE

Music:
How Am I Supposed To Live Without You - Michael Bolten



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