COLLIE EYE ANOMALY
Collie eye anomaly is a recessively inherited disorder in the structure of the eye. In mild forms of the disease, the choroid thinning is the only abnormality and the dog will retain normal vision throughout life. In severe cases, the symptoms can lead to retinal detachment and the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye. Complications can lead to vision loss.
The disorder is evident at the age of 5 - 8 weeks, when the pup should be screened by a veterinary ophthalmologist. After the age of 8 weeks, the normal maturation of the eye may result in the masking of the condition. In the mildest form, there are minor changes in the choroid of the eye and there is little obvious effect on the vision. The more severe forms can result in blindness.
An affected dog may show no obvious symptoms, therefore it is important to have breeding stock DNA tested to determine if they are either carriers or affected by the disorder. The mode of transmission is autosomal recessive, so if both parents test clear a pup will be clear, and no further testing will be needed. Any offspring of a carrier or affected dog should be tested before breeding.
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