I purchased a Lab bitch for showing and potentially breeding 3 years ago, and decided to have her mated for the first time this year. She has done very well in the ring, obtaining many firsts in good classes at open and Champ shows. I had her eye tested last week and she has developed Hereditaty cateracts. Both her parents are clear and all of her grandparents/great grandparents etc have been clear each time she they have been tested. I have now lost my breeding lines and am left with nothing. Has anyone else ever had this in their Labs? What did you do and how did the dogs cope?

Kind Reagrds

It is slightly less common for Labradors to develop early forming cataracts but it does happen. A friend of mine has a young bitch just up to Field Trials standard and has now seen all her training go down the drain. It is so hard on you both.

The usual cataract in Labs is the late forming which makes its appearance at around 8 years of age. Obviously this is the worst possible time because a breeder will have finished their breeding program by that time and will possibly have put quite a number of possible carriers into the field! It was this late forming cataract which my own Bethany suffered with. This one developed at 8 years old and I felt devastated so I know just how you feel!

The cataract is carried as a recessive gene so although it needs both sides to be carriers to bring it out even if only one side carries the gene the puppies could still be carriers.

Normally with the hereditary cataract (Which has a very distinctive appearance so cannot be miss diagnosed) it is only the centre area is restricted in vision so the dog can lead a perfectly happy life although obviously for a working dog this is the worst possible place. It will not see distant objects which it is looking straight at.

So sorry, John

What a shame. Contact your breeder just to let them know the situation. These things are so horrible when they happen, at least you have the (small) comfort of knowing that you tried hard to make sure this wouldnt happen by getting your girl from clear eye parents so at least you dont have to sit there and say that it was your own fault for not checking. Mind you, on second thoughts that would probably make me feel worse. Sorry, Ill shut up now!
All the best.

One consolation is that these Cataracts are rarely blinding, bad news in a working gundog, but in a pet you will probably notice little difference in a fully sighted vs Partially sighted one, though the odg may go blind in old age, but as Sight is not as vital to a dog as smell and hearing, old dogs who are blind cope very well with it.

A friends Terv bitch tested as haveing HC and there has been hardly any noticeable loss of sight!!!

It is important though from a breeding point of view, so do let the breeder know.

Hi, I think you may be able to have the cataracts taken off now. I`ve discussed having this done for my Bonnie & if I was in the UK I would seriously consider it. Doesn`t help with you`re breeding but a big help for the dog tho.
On another note tho, I`ve had it said to me quite a few times about sight not being vital to a dog & while I understand that, I feel I have to say that without it, a dog can do very little without it. They are very restricted & limited.
Christine, Spain.