Cataract
Description
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. In the breeding programmes approved by DWV, cataract is assessed during the general eye examination, separately for congenital and non-congenital cataract. For congenital cataract, in most breeding programmes the breeding advice is only positive when both parent dogs are clear. For non-congenital cataract it is positive for clear with clear and conditionally positive for combinations with the category 'other'. For a few breeds there is also a DNA test for hereditary cataract (HSF4): mandatory for the Australian Shepherd and the Miniature American Shepherd, recommended for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Inheritance pattern
For the DNA test the breeding programmes state 'autosomal co-dominant' (Australian Shepherd and Miniature American Shepherd) or 'autosomal recessive' (Staffordshire Bull Terrier). For cataract found during the eye examination they do not state a mode of inheritance.
Breeds in which this condition occurs
We are rebuilding the health information for each breed from the official breeding programme of Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen (Animal Welfare Flanders). Until then, you can find the mandatory and recommended health tests for this breed in the breeding programmes under the Flemish Breeding Decree (Fokkerijbesluit). View the official breeding programmes
