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A rough day!

3K views 11 replies 12 participants last post by  SjSmith 
#1 ·
I have been getting my 9 1/2 month old BLM ready for the 2013 waterfowl season and for his first trip to ND! He has been through FF, CC, FTP and almost through TT. He has always been a strong marking puppy, but started having trouble on longer marks the last three days. Went to the vet who said he had cloudy eyes. We then went to a specialist and found he has cataracts. What a kick in the gut!
 
#2 ·
. That's awful. Never heard of a pup that young with cataracts. I sure hope there is something you can do.
 
#3 · (Edited)
That's is very unfortunate. I certainly hope you let the breeder of this pup know the diagnosis. I wonder if the bitch and sire were ever eye cerf.

It's usually a hereditary problem, but a dog that age it's hereditary. Breeder should not repeat it.

Surgery is available to remove cataract lens and replace with artificial lens. Expensive though

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner
 
#4 ·
Yes, it is a kick in the gut. But there are many types of cataracts w/ varying degrees of severity and progression. I know some dogs with cataracts that see quite well and continue to work (even run FT's). I actually have one that was found to have juvenile cataracts at a young age, got her SH at age 3 or so, and a JAM in Qual at age 4. She then retired but is 8 now and still gets marks for fun. I am sure her eyesight is not what it once was but she still loves to retrieve.
Obviously, you should advise pup's breeder. If you have a health guarantee they may give you a replacement pup. Of course your pup should not be bred but he/she may still be able to work and have a good quality life.
 
#5 ·
Sorry Scully!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

stan b
 
#7 ·
Sorry for your news. I have all my litters (both Boykins and Labradors) visit an ACVO before they leave for their new homes as pups. Juvenile cataracts as well as other eye issues can be identified early on puppy ACVO eye exams, but cataracts can also develop later. I've had personal experience a couple of times with later developing cataracts in my dogs under two years old.

Optigen is currently accepting samples for study for Labradors for two types of cataracts:
"Bilateral, Posterior Subcapsular type that develops between 1.5 yrs and 3 yrs of age in the following breeds: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and English Springer Spaniels "

http://optigen.com/opt9_research.html
 
#8 ·
Very sorry to hear this. Praying for all involved.
 
#9 ·
Terribly saddening and praying for a positive outcome. Scully, is the pup your talking about sired by Mr. T? Reason I ask is that if my memory serves me correctly here, I remember you posting pics of him when you first got him and how envious I was.
 
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