Took Gus and Libs to be eye tested last week and both have come back clear 

but while I was there the eye tester (Stuart Ellis) mentioned about another eye condition that is now showing up in the staffordshire terrier.

The condition is Posterior Polar Subcapsular Cataracts (PPSC) and usually is common in breeds such as the Labrador but apparantley it is now showing up in Staffys. Stuart mentioned he has seen 8 or 9 affected dogs in the last few months. They *think* it has appeared through a mutated gene but have little info on the mode of inheritance in the staffy or whether it is a recessive or a dominant gene

I have been informed that staffys should now be tested ANNUALLY as even if they show clear/unaffetced by PCHP or HC they can still be affected by PPSC. It can ashow clear through testing even up to ages 10 or so and then the dog can show as afffected

Has anyone else been informed of this recently
as Steve says he is mentioning it to all who bring their dogs to him for testing and has asked everyone to get their dogs tested yearly now

here is some information that he passed to me on the condition:

PPSC is a recognised eye disease in several breeds already
PPSC has an, as yet, unknown mode of inheritance
PPSC has a variable age of onset (from 10 months to 10 years and more have been reported)
PPSC is not usually noticed by the owner or their vets as only a BVA eye test can detect it
PPSC usually remains a small cataract but some PPSCs can progress to blinding catatracts in some unfortunate individuals
PPSC cannot be detected by litter screening
PPSC is unrelated to juvenile HC as seen in the stafford
PPSC cannot be detected by DNA testing as yet
PPSC in breeds such as the Labrador has led to the development of breeders demanding a *current* clear eye certificate (within the last 12 months) from stud and bitch owners before mating is alowed
Dogs can prove unaffected for many years and then test affected- HOWEVER they will have been genetically affected ALL THE TIME ! This makes control difficult
Investigation into the mode of inheritance is being hampered by only checking SOME dogs OCCASIONALLY, rather than EVERY dog EVERY year!

Annual testing is recommended even aftre breeding has ceased

There will be times when a dog passes the annual test, mates and has pups and then at the next annual test is found to be positive. The breeder who has taken steps to annually test cannot be held at fault

Please be aware and make others aware of this condition (without scaremongering)

we should try to find out how this is passed on and the percetage of staffys becoming affected

Do you know how they test the eyes and does it need to be done by specialists or can vets do it.  I was told that there are only 2 vets that can eye test in Scotland (in Edinburgh and Glasgow) so it is a bit of problem for anyone who doesn't live near there to access this service.  Any other info would be gratefully received.  thanks lel

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you- my internet connection is playing up (AOHell) :rolleyes: and i can only access from work at the mo

Only the eye testers can do it and I am informed that the testers will look for this cataract when they check for PHPV and HC anyway. vets cannot detect this condition and nor can the owner.

The important thing to be aware of is that this condition can show up at any age even if previously tested clear (unlike PHPC or HC) and ANNUAL testing is a must to diagnose this condition