A bitches first litter produced 3 pups all with multi-ocular defect. The father has sired 30+ pups without this defect. I am looking to know whether this would be heriditory or a problem in pregnancy.

I would like advise in whther I should breed the bitch again. If you know anything on multi-ocular defect, it would be much appreciated if you let me know.

Thank-You.

Multiocular Defects affect a number of breeds and is believer to be hereditary. The affected breeds including Bloodhounds, Cavalier’s, Rough Collies, OES, Standard Poodles, (Interesting no other sizes of Poodle?????), Golden Retrieve, Rottie, Cocker and Westie’s. All these breeds are under investigation for the condition.

Without knowing your breed this is about all I can tell you.

Regards, John

Thanks John.

The breed of my dogs are Cocker Spaniels. If this is hereditory, would it have affected all the litter?

We brought our pups to a specialist, he thought if it was heriditory, it would have affected only one of the litter. He said it could have been an illness during pregnancy. We got a very unusual colour through this breeding and dont know whether to breed again because of multiocular defect.

Would you be able to assit us further?

The method of inheritance could mean that it could be passed to none, all or any number between.

I have in the past chatted to the experts on other eye conditions and getting them to commit to a specific mode of inheritance for some complaints is almost impossible. From the records they keep they can be pretty sure a condition is inherited but as to how, that is a very different matter. A simple recessive gene problem is relatively easy to prove but a polygenic condition could mean that a carrier mated to a carrier might still not bring the ailment out. This is where the real problem appears, so many dogs could be carriers but never show it because not all the genes are affected. The whole thing is like an iceberg just waiting for the wrong combination of genes to happen (As appears to have happened in your case)

Theoretically, although the stud dog has never had a problem in the past it does not alter the fact that he must be a carrier! I doubt you will convince the stud dog owner of that because it takes some believing but it is a fact for all that.

Sorry to be the barer of bad news. I stress, I'm not a Vet or Ophthalmologist so am only talking as a lay person. I am co-organiser of eye testing sessions but unfortunatly we will not be holding another session until February or I would have been able to have a chat to Prof. Bedford about it for you.

Regards, John

Thanks very much for the information, if you ever find out any more on the subject could you please contact me.

Of course. But unfortunatly, as I said, I won't be seeing Peter until February. Can I ask who you saw with your dog? If I knew your approximate area I might be able to recomend someone reasonably close to you for you to see.

Best wishes, John

I live in northern ireland and i was refered by my own vet to see a specialist in belfast his name is Ian Millar of Earlswood vetinary practice He is an Ophthalmologist.He confirmed the condition.

Thanks very much.

Hi,

I'm in NI too and just wanted to say that Earlswood is a very well respected Vets :D It's not always easy over here when all the facilities and knowledge seem to be on the mainland but places like this board are a great help.

Just out of interest what is the effect of this condition and what happens to pups born with it? Is it a standard thing that should be tested for before breeding or just an accident of nature?

Nikki

You are not well covered over there I'm afraid. Ian Millar is in fact the only panellist for the BVA/KC/ISDS eye testing scheme in the whole of Northern Ireland! So that is very much a dead end I'm afraid. If you like to give me a reminder a bit nearer Feb I will have a word with Peter and can possibly get chapter and verse on it for you.

Best wishes, John

Edited to say, It is part of the standard BVA eye test Nikki

Wishfairy:

The effects seem to be partial blindness with the pups. The lens is affected by a catyract although the eye sight should not get any worse as the get older. The sight they are born with should remain the same throughout life, and maybe at a later stage the catyracts could be removed. We'll just have to wait and see. Its not automatic testing.

John:

I would greatly appreciate if you could find out chapter and verse on it, I will contact you nearer february. This board has been a great help. Many thanks.