Hi all :)  I have been doing a bit of research on my dogs pedigree and have come across a dog, not directly in their line, that has been eye tested clear  but it says gonioscopy affected.  Could someone tell me what this means please.  :) thank you.  :)

Gonioscopy is a machine used fro detecting eye conditions, tho it`s only needed to be done once instead of yearly like the slit machine. So not sure what your cert means sorry.
Scroll down the link below for a description of it.
http://www.blinddogs.com/articles/glaucoma.htm

Christine, Spain.

thanks Christine for the link.  this dog has obviously had two eye tests done, one for PRA  and another for glaucoma. the first being clear and the second one has shown a problem.  Thanks again. :) Sarah

Thats ok Sarah :) but it can be used for testing of other diseases as well, pra for one. Doesn`t it say affected by what?

Christine, Spain.

is this the goldern or flatcoated retriever eyes.if it the fcr give me a ring on 01252310267,i try to help you out.

terri

The gonioscopy test for Glaucoma is a once in a lifetime test. It does not detect Glaucoma as such, what it does is to show whether or not there is a possibility of Glaucoma ever occuring. The result is usually given as a number between 0 and 4.

0 is a pass, it means the drain is perfect.
1 is a fail, although the defect in the drain is very slight and extreamly unlikely to ever cause a problem
2 is a little worse and needs you to keep a weather eye on.
3 is quite a serious fault and could well give trouble.
4 is the worst possible

The test for PRA is a yearly test because this can occure at any time during the dogs life, as indeed can cataracts.

Best wishes, John

Although the gonioscopy test is officially a one off for life test, in breeds affected it is recommended that subsequent tests are done at around 6/7 years of age and then at 10/11 years of age. The reason for this is that the eye changes with age and so a pass at 6 months or so may become a fail later in life. As the gonioscopy test is to detect glaucoma it is very important that if your dog is from a breed affected by glaucoma, such as the flatcoated retriever it is essential to have the dog tested whether or not it is ever going to be bred from. Glaucoma is the most painful way a dog can go blind, and from onset of the condition you have barely 24 hours to get specialist treatment.
What breed do you have? We may be of more help if we knew that. If you have a flatcoated retriever the Society has a health committee who issue free of charge a detailed leaflet about the condition. This is available from Mrs Brenda Phillips whose contact details are available on the Flatcoated retriever Society web site.
Another place you can get information is the British Veterinary Association, who issue booklets about the eye testing scheme, and various diseases which the breeds suffer from or are under investigation for. These booklets are free although they are always happy to be provided with an SAE. Their address is on their web site.
If you need any more information on this then do let us know and we'll try to help further.
Polly & Foxpath Flatcoats

Thank you everyone for all the info.  It is not my flatcoat that has been tested but a dog I came accross whilst researching his pedigree.  I just wanted to know what may be affected.  Information that I have is little,  it is   Eye Test: Clear     Gonioscopy: Affected    Thats it I am afraid.  The Information I got was from the directory on Brenda phillips web site.  I dont know, but maybe it could be just a mistake on the web site. and I dont want to go upsetting anyone by putting the name of the dog on here. If you want to know the name of the dog maybe it would be best to PM me and I will do it privately instead.  I have found your posts very informative and I am atleast 100% wiser than I was so thank you for that.  Sarah :)

I think you will find that nobody here asked which dog it was but which breed. The reason being that the condition may present itself in slightly different ways in each breed affected. I realised you meant that the dog was in the pedigree of your dog.
As I said earlier do contact Mrs Phillips of the Flatcoated Retriever Society Health Committee. She has some information leaflets which I think you would find helpful. I see you live on the South coast, perhaps you might like to contact Mrs Dixon who is a member of champdogs, (01489 785033), she runs an eye testing in the summer, perhaps you might wish to take your dog along. Most flatcoat owners whether or not the dog is to be bred from do test for glaucoma as it is the most painful disease a dog can go blind with. It is better to be prepared than not know if your dog has the predisposition for this problem.
As John explained there is a grading system and a grade 1 under a different opthalmologist may well pass, the definition is so close to a clear pass. Hence some grade 1 dogs have been used in breeding programmes, as the breeders consider they have much to offer.
I am sure the breeder of your dog would be able to reassure you further if you asked them for help and information.

"Eye tested clear" is quite usual for flatcoats in the UK, it means the dog did not have any hereditary disease such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hereditary cataract (HC), etc.... "Gonioscopy tested affected", means it was tested for glaucoma and did not get a pass, but as both John and I have said there is a grading system which breeders use. I would suspect the dog in your dogs pedigree would be considered a low risk as it would probably be a grade 1. When choosing a stud dog most breeders will look at the whole dog and ask themselves how will using this dog improve my breeding stock? The eyes are just one thing they will consider, they will look at general health, hip displaysia, general confirmation, working ability etc....

I know of quite a few flatcoats who were originally tested 'affected' with the gonioscopy test, and although subsequently tested clear, the clear result was not published.

It's a hot potato, and not a few internal politics involved.  

I think most of these dogs are fairly old now, so hopefully a look at  progeny (if any) will give a better indication of the state of things.

It's by no means as straightforward as some might have you believe!!!!!

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats