Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Retinal plaque differences in retriever dogs and springer spaniels
By Osinchuk, Stephanie C et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2020·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: In vivo imaging comparison of unilateral circular retinal plaques in retriever dogs to dysplasia and detachment in the English Springer Spaniel.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of retriever dogs was found to have circular retinal plaques, which are unusual spots on the eye that can affect vision. These plaques were examined using advanced imaging techniques, revealing that they mostly consist of a thickened layer of the retina but still maintain a normal structure overall. In contrast, an English Springer Spaniel with retinal dysplasia (a condition where the retina doesn't develop properly) showed significant disorganization and detachment of the retinal layers. The findings suggest that the circular plaques in retrievers may be different from the more serious retinal issues seen in the Springer Spaniel.
People also search for: dog eye problems circular plaque · retriever retinal issues · English Springer Spaniel retinal dysplasia treatment
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare the scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FA) findings in retrievers with a single unilateral circular retinal plaque to those of an English springer spaniel with bilateral retinal dysplasia. PROCEDURES: A retrospective record review identified three dogs with circular retinal plaques that underwent SLO and OCT; in two of the three dogs, FA was also completed. Morphologic changes, lesion measurements, and angiogram characteristics were documented. An English springer spaniel with bilateral retinal dysplasia that had undergone SLO, OCT, and FA was used for comparison. RESULTS: Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy of the retriever dogs revealed circular retinal plaques with a dark periphery located in the tapetal retina. OCT revealed a thickening of the nerve fiber layer corresponding to the circular pattern observed on SLO. Within the circular plaque, the retina was predominantly of normal architecture. FA revealed variable hypofluorescence of both the rim and the center of the circular lesion throughout the early angiogram phases. In the late recirculation phase, small multifocal areas of hyperfluorescence were observed. OCT of geographic retinal dysplasia in the English springer spaniel revealed disorganization of both inner and outer retinal layers, and retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Circular plaques observed in the tapetal retina are predominantly formed by a thickening of inner retina, while retinal dysplasia has disorganization of both inner and outer retinal layers. Further etiologic research is needed, including pedigree mapping to determine whether retinal plaques are an acquired or inherited condition.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32990375/