Vol. 44, No. 1, 2000
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE OCCURRENCE OF LENS CATARACT AND PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY AND SOME CATEGORIES OF POODLE BREEDS
Trbolová, A., Ledecký, V.
University of Veterinary Medicine
Komenskeho 73
041 81 Kosice
The Slovak Republic
Summary
Results of examination for cataract and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) occurring individually and in combination in poodles were analysed. From 1994 to 1996 we examined 139 poodles of both sexes of various colour of coat, age and breed type (miniature, small, medium).
The incidence of cataract, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), or both was recorded in 20 bitches (28.5%) and 16 male dogs (23.1%). Of 62 poodles with black coat which were examined in our study 15 were positive, i.e. 24.1%. Of this number 6 dogs had cataract (40.0%), 4 dogs PRA (26.6%) and 5 dogs (33%) were affected with both cataract and PRA. We also examined 35 dogs with silver coloured coat. Eleven of them were positive (31.4%), 4 had cataract (36.3%), 2 PRA (18.1%) and 5 had both cataract and PRA (45.4%). Twenty-nine of examined poodles had white coat and 7 of them were positive (24.1%). Three had only cataract (42.8%) one PRA (14.1%) and 3 exhibited both cataract and PRA (42.8%). In the group of apricot coloured dogs (altogether 13) only 2 suffered from cataract, i.e. 15.3%.
Investigations of the occurrence of cataract in relation to the age showed positivity in 6.4% of dogs younger than 1 year, 21.9% from 1 to 3 years of age, 29.4% in dogs 3 to 6 years old and 42.4% in dogs older than 6 years.
Results on the incidence of cataract and PRA in relationship to the type of poodles were as follows: one of the diseases or both in combination were diagnosed in 31.5% of miniature poodles, in 27.6% of small poodles and in 18.1% of medium breed poodles.
The significance of differences in the incidence of the diseases mentioned in relation to the sex, coat colouration, age and type of animals was evaluated by Fischer's test of qualitative characteristics which showed that the sex of dogs had no effect on the incidence of diseases investigated, while coat colouration affected the incidence of cataract and PRA. Dogs with more intensive pigmentation (black, silver) showed higher affinity to the diseases mentioned (P = 0.05).
The most significant factor affecting the incidence of cataract and PRA in dogs was the age. With the increasing age the incidence of cataract and PRA increased directly. The type of dog can affect, to a certain extent, the incidence of cataract and PRA. This was also indicated by our results showing higher prevalence of the diseases in miniature and small poodles (p = 0.01; 0.05).
Key words: dog (poodle); lens; cataract; retina; atrophy
References
Folia Veterinaria / 2000