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GENERALISED PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY (GPRA)
This is a degenerative disease of the visual receptors (the rods and cones) of the retina, owners initially notice a loss of night vision, but the condition soon progresses to
blindness.
Secondary cataract formation associated with GPRA is common in this breed, opthalmoscpi signs may be detected in young adults from the age of three years.
Alterations in the normal gene make-up of the animal cause these hereditary eye conditions.
The BVA/KC/ISDE Eye Scheme was developed to screen dogs used for breeding to ensure they show no signs of hereditary eye diseases, but to achieve this aim it is so very important that all dogs are examined under this scheme.
There are forty or so BVA panellist throughout the country that can examine dogs under this scheme.
Details of the BVA/KC/ISD eye scheme are available from;-
British Veterinary Association, 7 Mansfield Street, London,
W1M 0AT.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET YOUR PUPPY EYE TESTED AT THE AGE OF 12 MONTHS AND THEREAFTER
AT 12 MONTHLY INTERVALS.
CLEFT PALATE.
This is a hereditary defect of the roof of the mouth, generally seen in puppies of the toy breed, and breeds that have been in-bred. It consist of a gap in the structures forming the palate, often so extensive as to allow the communication between the mouth and the
nasal passages.
Puppies so affected are usually unable to suck, and die soon after birth unless given artificial feeding, others are able to obtain some small amount of nourishment, but never thrive as well as the rest of the litter.
The condition of `hare-lip' or `split-lip' is often associated with cleft
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