Retinal Dysplasia
Hereditary eye disease has become widespread in the cavalier King Charles spaniel. A 2008 study of cavaliers conducted by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation showed that an average of 28% of all CKCSs evaluated had eye problems.
The most serious eye defects that afflict high percentages of cavaliers are forms of retinal dysplasia. Retinal dysplasia is a malformation of the retina. It occurs when the two layers of the retina do not form together properly. Mild dysplasia appears as "folds" in the inner retinal layer, called retinal folds. In "geographic" retinal dysplasia there are larger areas of defective retinal development. In the severe form of dysplasia, known as retinal detachment, the retinal layers do not come together at all.
Retinal folds represent small blind spots which are probably not even noticed by the dog. However, geographic dysplasia may lead to large deficits in the visual field, and cavaliers with retinal detachments are completely blind.
The cause of most cases of retinal dysplasia in cavaliers is genetic. Of all purebred dogs, multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD) and geographic retinal dysplasia are most commonly found in the cavalier King Charles spaniel, according to Dr. Sheila M. Crispin of the School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK.
All CKCSs should be examined by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist to determine whether the dogs have retinal dysplasia, and if so, the type and degree of it.
Upon examination, the ophthalmologist can tell the degree of severity of the dysplasia. Most cases of retinal dysplasia do not progress after puppyhood, and the ophthalmologist may be able to predict the extent to which the dysplasia will interfere with the dog's field of vision. The cause of most cases of retinal dysplasia in cavaliers is genetic. Of all purebred dogs, multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD) and geographic retinal dysplasia are most commonly found in the cavalier King Charles spaniel.
The most serious eye defects that afflict high percentages of cavaliers are forms of retinal dysplasia. Retinal dysplasia is a malformation of the retina. It occurs when the two layers of the retina do not form together properly. Mild dysplasia appears as "folds" in the inner retinal layer, called retinal folds. In "geographic" retinal dysplasia there are larger areas of defective retinal development. In the severe form of dysplasia, known as retinal detachment, the retinal layers do not come together at all.
Retinal folds represent small blind spots which are probably not even noticed by the dog. However, geographic dysplasia may lead to large deficits in the visual field, and cavaliers with retinal detachments are completely blind.
The cause of most cases of retinal dysplasia in cavaliers is genetic. Of all purebred dogs, multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD) and geographic retinal dysplasia are most commonly found in the cavalier King Charles spaniel, according to Dr. Sheila M. Crispin of the School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK.
All CKCSs should be examined by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist to determine whether the dogs have retinal dysplasia, and if so, the type and degree of it.
Upon examination, the ophthalmologist can tell the degree of severity of the dysplasia. Most cases of retinal dysplasia do not progress after puppyhood, and the ophthalmologist may be able to predict the extent to which the dysplasia will interfere with the dog's field of vision. The cause of most cases of retinal dysplasia in cavaliers is genetic. Of all purebred dogs, multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD) and geographic retinal dysplasia are most commonly found in the cavalier King Charles spaniel.