Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cataracts in 303 dogs seen in Rio de Janeiro
By Baumworcel, Natasha et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2009·Federal Fluminense University, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Three hundred and three dogs with cataracts seen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study of 303 dogs in Rio de Janeiro found that cataracts were most common in Toy Poodles, particularly those around 8 years old. Other breeds like Cocker Spaniels and Bichon Frises were also affected, with a significant percentage of Bichon Frises diagnosed with cataracts. This research highlights the need for careful breeding practices to prevent inherited eye problems, as many affected Toy Poodles may have already had litters before their cataracts developed. Regular eye check-ups can help catch these issues early.
People also search for: dog cataracts symptoms · Toy Poodle eye problems · Bichon Frise cataract treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the most common canine breeds affected with cataracts in Rio de Janeiro. ANIMALS: Three hundred and three dogs were included in this retrospective study. Animal ages ranged from 6 months to 14.8 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All records of dogs seen by the Ophthalmology Service of Policlínica Veterinária Botafogo between January 2005 and June 2008 were reviewed. Animals with cataracts were separated, and breed and age were evaluated. RESULTS: Most of the dogs presented with cataracts were Toy Poodles with a mean age of 8.2 years, followed by Cocker Spaniels and Bichon Frises. The percentage of Toy Poodles affected with cataracts was 13.8% while 33.3% of Bichon Frise was diagnosed with cataracts. CONCLUSIONS: Toy Poodles are a popular breed in Rio de Janeiro. Without regulations on breeding, the prevalence of cataracts may increase rapidly. Furthermore, due to the relatively late onset of cataract formation in the Toy Poodle (mean 8.2 years of age), affected animals may have produced several litters of puppies. This study emphasizes the importance of screening for the presence of inherited ocular abnormalities such as cataracts prior to breeding.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19751489/