Boykin Eye Health
Boykin spaniels are fortunate in that they are free from many of blinding ocular conditions that plague other spaniels. Any abnormality that may limit vision especially in a working dog is potentially performance limiting and devastating to a performance career, so we want to be careful with this special breed with a limited gene pool. The main blinding conditions we are looking for in the boykin are involving the retina and lens. Some changes are present at birth and others are progressive over time.
One disease occurring at an alarmingly higher rate than 20 years ago (in my opinion!) is collie eye anomaly (CEA). Those of us who look at boykins frequently see this very commonly as an incidental finding, and often these dogs have never been examined and have already been bred. These dogs are not usually part of the OFA numbers, so the incidence is markedly underestimated. CEA drastically affected the collie breeding program decades ago when 90% of collies were affected! This pushed the effort for eye exams and DNA testing to try to eradicate the severe forms from the breeding population and established protocols to define the severity. Boykin breeders and owners need to pay attention to this. Many doctors not familiar with this breed may not be looking for subtle indicators of this since they are not a herding breed, so it is important to be educated.
It is also important to know that boykins can be affected with several “incidental” or breeder option findings like distichia (extra eyelashes) or persistent pupillary membranes (PPMs). When we see these, we have to note them. This does not make your dog less desirable at a breeding candidate, but for tracking purposes, it is important information for the OFA to collect.
Purebred dogs (including boykins) can develop inherited eye diseases that can be blinding or affect eye health. In an effort to limit or eradicate genetic ocular diseases in a particular breed, the OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) program has been developed to collect data on breeding dogs and issues certificates determining a dog’s fitness for breeding. The Genetics Committee of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) determines the guidelines for CAER eye certification and regularly evaluates and recommends how dogs should be bred, depending on their eye exam status. This was previously called a CERF exam (now OFA CAER).
The CAER eye exam can be performed with an accredited veterinary ophthalmologist or at a local eye clinic (see ACVO.org to find an office or a registered health clinic).
Eye Examination Procedures
Dogs can be examined at most ages, ideally at 8 weeks of age or older just prior to placement, or at any time prior to breeding. A CAER Eye Certification Registry certificate is valid for 1 year after the examination. Breeding animals should be examined annually, even after they have stopped breeding, in order to monitor for genetic eye diseases. At the examination, the ophthalmologist will complete the form (now online!) and indicate any eye abnormalities. The CAER Eye Certification Registry determines the suitability of each given dog for breeding based on the eye examination findings.
Some genetic eye diseases can appear later in life so annual eye CAER certification is recommended.
There are a few great resources for the CAER exam. Education is key!
https://ofa.org/diseases/eye-disease/eye-faqs/
https://www.acvo.org
Anne Grimsley Cook, DVM, MS
Diplomate ACVO
Animal Eye Care of the Lowcountry
3400 Salterbeck St Suite 104
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
843 881 2242 (work)
One disease occurring at an alarmingly higher rate than 20 years ago (in my opinion!) is collie eye anomaly (CEA). Those of us who look at boykins frequently see this very commonly as an incidental finding, and often these dogs have never been examined and have already been bred. These dogs are not usually part of the OFA numbers, so the incidence is markedly underestimated. CEA drastically affected the collie breeding program decades ago when 90% of collies were affected! This pushed the effort for eye exams and DNA testing to try to eradicate the severe forms from the breeding population and established protocols to define the severity. Boykin breeders and owners need to pay attention to this. Many doctors not familiar with this breed may not be looking for subtle indicators of this since they are not a herding breed, so it is important to be educated.
It is also important to know that boykins can be affected with several “incidental” or breeder option findings like distichia (extra eyelashes) or persistent pupillary membranes (PPMs). When we see these, we have to note them. This does not make your dog less desirable at a breeding candidate, but for tracking purposes, it is important information for the OFA to collect.
Purebred dogs (including boykins) can develop inherited eye diseases that can be blinding or affect eye health. In an effort to limit or eradicate genetic ocular diseases in a particular breed, the OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) program has been developed to collect data on breeding dogs and issues certificates determining a dog’s fitness for breeding. The Genetics Committee of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) determines the guidelines for CAER eye certification and regularly evaluates and recommends how dogs should be bred, depending on their eye exam status. This was previously called a CERF exam (now OFA CAER).
The CAER eye exam can be performed with an accredited veterinary ophthalmologist or at a local eye clinic (see ACVO.org to find an office or a registered health clinic).
Eye Examination Procedures
Dogs can be examined at most ages, ideally at 8 weeks of age or older just prior to placement, or at any time prior to breeding. A CAER Eye Certification Registry certificate is valid for 1 year after the examination. Breeding animals should be examined annually, even after they have stopped breeding, in order to monitor for genetic eye diseases. At the examination, the ophthalmologist will complete the form (now online!) and indicate any eye abnormalities. The CAER Eye Certification Registry determines the suitability of each given dog for breeding based on the eye examination findings.
Some genetic eye diseases can appear later in life so annual eye CAER certification is recommended.
There are a few great resources for the CAER exam. Education is key!
https://ofa.org/diseases/eye-disease/eye-faqs/
https://www.acvo.org
Anne Grimsley Cook, DVM, MS
Diplomate ACVO
Animal Eye Care of the Lowcountry
3400 Salterbeck St Suite 104
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
843 881 2242 (work)
