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SUPPORT CAREFUL
TESTING - BE CAUTIOUS WITH CLINICS - A MORALITY TALE IN SIX EYES
By Janis Stamm
Biddy (Ch. Iffinest Oceana Roll)
just returned from her third eye exam with her third ophthalmologist in the
last three years. At six and a half her eyes tested clear of hereditary
defects and she received a clear CERF. This was at best a bittersweet result
In 1996. Biddy was tested at an
eye clinic. This was her last health check before a planned second breeding.
At that clinic she was diagnosed with a subluxation of one eye. The doctor
stated that he was not surprised as he had seen this in Miniature Bull
Terriers before. Based on that test Biddy was spayed and her daughter was
removed from a breeding program. Losing Biddy, an excellent representative
of a line of good mothers, was disheartening.
Following a period of careful
monitoring, Biddy was tested by a second ophthalmologist to see if the
subluxation had progressed to the point of requiring surgery. Her eyes were
found to be free of genetic defects. With these conflicting reports, a third
veterinary ophthalmologist was consulted.
Health clinics are an important
diagnostic tool. However, the veterinarians are testing a large number of
animals in a short time. Sometimes they are diagnosing with preconceptions
built in from their past experience or from information they have been
given. For example, at an eye clinic held in conjunction with the 1997
National Specialty, I asked the ophthalmologist for what he was testing. He
replied that he was looking for luxation secondary to glaucoma. When I
mentioned that one of my Miniature Bull Terriers had suffered what was
clearly primary lens luxation, he seemed surprised.
Will attend another clinic?
Probably yes. Will I again make an irrevocable decision based on a clinic
diagnosis? Absolutely not. Will I continue to test? Oh my, yes! As
troublesome as Biddy's loss was, testing has saved me from far greater
disaster.
In 1993, Chalky (CH. Threeboys
Rapscallion) was diagnosed lens subluxation. The problem was found in a
routine CERF before he was ready to head West "trolling for chicks." Both
Chalky and his brother Jason (Threeboys Adventurer), with their wonderful
temperaments and breed strengths, would have been used at stud. When I
informed Jason's owner of Chalky's diagnosis, Jason was removed from the
breeding pool and tested. His lenses were found to be loose but not
subluxated. Rumors persist that he has in fact luxated. He has not and that
is a very important lesson for all of us. Eye problems can exist for years
with no clinical symptoms. Only the high ethical standards and careful
testing of Jim Burns and Vandi Ragsdale kept Jason out of the gene pool.
Jason, closing on ten years of age, still has his lenses and with luck he
will die of old age with his eyes intact. As for Chalky, he is working on
his CGC. I hope that in conjunction with the tenth anniversary, of the first
National Specialty there is a Parade of Champions. Chalky would love one
more walk around the ring |
