"Hereditary cataracts" means that cataracts, which are cloudy areas in the eye that can affect vision, are passed down from parents to their children through their genes. It means that if a person's parents have cataracts, there is a chance that they will also have cataracts because of the genetic link.
Full definition
The release of a DNA test for one form of
hereditary cataracts in early 2008 should help reduce the frequency of cataracts in the breed.
The high frequency of HSF4 mutations and their significant association
with hereditary cataracts in the above mentioned breeds call for careful planning of breeding strategies.
Aussie hereditary cataracts almost never occur in young puppies; affected dogs most commonly present signs as mature adults, though cataracts may start in early adulthood or not until old age.
As Staffordshire Bull Terriers are commonly affected
by hereditary cataracts you should ensure both parents have been DNA tested for this genetic disorder.
The studies of
hereditary cataracts indicate that in addition to HSF4 mutations there are other genetic factors that can contribute to the development of the disease in the above mentioned breeds.
Including hereditary cataracts, congenital cataracts, generalized progressive retinal atrophy, retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy, multifocal retinal dysplasia, and glaucoma.
A good Staffie breeder will be knowledgeable about PHPV and as
with hereditary cataracts should have done the relevant testing.
In March of 2008, at the world - famous Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham, England, Britain's Animal Health Trust (AHT,) a century - old charitable foundation dedicated to improving diagnosis and treatment of disease for dogs, cats and horses, announced a new DNA test
for hereditary cataract (HC) in the Australian Shepherd.
At least one type
of hereditary cataract appears at an early age in affected FCR's, and while these may or may not interfere with the dog's vision, some do progress into severe or total loss of vision.
A mutation of the HSF4 gene is a major contributor to cataracts, causing a 17 fold increase in risk for
hereditary cataract in the Australian Shepherd.
They analyzed CRYAA and CRYAB and discovered that in one type of
hereditary cataract, CRYAB takes on a mutant form with a much higher melting temperature than its normal version.
The most promising compound improved lens transparency in the R49C cryAA and R120G cryAB mouse models of
hereditary cataract.
Breed - Related Health Concerns Hip Dysplasia;
hereditary cataracts (HC)(eye condition causing poor vision and blindness); persistent hyperplasic primary vitreous (PHPV)(congenital eye condition where certain blood vessels in the eye do not disappear after birth as they should); chronic gas
Breeders have a number DNA tests at their disposal to check for the Multi Drug Resistance Gene,
hereditary cataracts, Pelger Huet Anomaly, Collie Eye Anomaly and Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration (another eye disease), so check which testing your breeder uses.
Two, MDR1 (multi-drug resistance 1) and
a hereditary cataract screening test for the gene HSF4, should be considered mandatory in Australian Shepherds.
The common health problems of American Pit Bull's include congenital heart disease, hip dysplasia, and
hereditary cataracts.
Some are prone to hip dysplasia and
hereditary cataracts.
If a cataract is a type that can be expected to progress rapidly (such as
the hereditary cataracts of young cocker spaniels) it may be beneficial to pursue treatment (i.e. surgical removal) when the cataract is smaller and softer, as surgery will be easier.
Because the HSF4 mutation is only a risk factor and because there are
hereditary cataracts that are not caused by HSF4, all breeding stock should receive annual exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
One eye may first show signs of the disease before the other, but with
hereditary cataracts the other eye will most likely develop one within a few months.
70 % of Aussies with
hereditary cataracts have this mutation.
Lens opacities can be caused by a number of things, but
hereditary cataracts will always be bilateral, though one eye may develop them six months to a year before the other.
A mutation in a gene called HSF4 accounts for about 70 % of
hereditary cataracts in Aussies.
In Aussies,
our hereditary cataract has a typical location and progression, though the speed of progression and the age of onset are quite variable.
-- First - step relatives (parents, offspring, full and half siblings) of an HSFS4 - clear dog diagnosed with
hereditary cataracts should be bred only to HSF4 - clear mates who have no family history of non-HSF4 cataracts.
Pit bulls are generally healthy, living on average 12 to 14 years, with few issues — they can be susceptible to parvovirus as puppies, as well as allergies as adults, and hip dysplasia and
hereditary cataracts as seniors.
The cause of the remaining 30 % of
hereditary cataracts in the breed has not yet been identified
People wonder why HSF4 is so important when there are other types of
hereditary cataracts.
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia,
hereditary cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), eyelid problems, a heart disease known as subvavular aortic stenosis, thyroid disorders, seizure disorders and other health issues which affect all breeds.
Malamutes are prone to a variety of health issues, including: hip dysplasia,
hereditary cataracts, epilepsy, congenital heart problems, kidney problems, and skin disorders.
There is a DNA available to check for
hereditary cataracts, which can be a problem in French Bulldogs.
Two mutations in the heat shock transcription factor gene, HSF4, have been reported to be associated with
hereditary cataracts (HC) in several breeds of pure - bred dogs (1).
Specifically, they may be prone to eye conditions such as Generalized Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GPRA) and
hereditary cataracts.
Work currently being undertaken involves idiopathic epilepsy in Border Collies and
hereditary cataract and progressive retinal atrophy in many breeds, including Siberian Huskies, Miniature Schnauzers and Tibetan Spaniels.
Problems that plague the breed include distachiasis, or double eyelashes,
hereditary cataracts and PHPV, or persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous.