80 Saber Tails Fall 2018

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America

After POAG, A False Sense of Security?

by Laura Liscum

PBGVCA Health Committee and 

PBGV Health & Rescue Foundation

The past few years have seen a whirlwind of activity on behalf of PBGV eye health. Our focus has been on primary open 

angle glaucoma (POAG). First, the global PBGV community became aware that POAG is a hereditary disease found in 

PBGVs. Then the laboratory of Dr. Catherine Mellersh at the Animal Health Trust, UK, announced their commitment 

to finding the genetic cause of POAG in PBGVs. To assist them, the PBGVCA Health Committee organized DNA clin-

ics, which were sponsored by the PBGV Health & Rescue Foundation. We all celebrated when the gene responsible 

for POAG was discovered in 2015. The role of the gene, called ADAMSTS17, in eye health is unknown so far. Thus, we 

don’t understand why mutation of this gene leads to open angle glaucoma. Next the Animal Health Trust developed 

a genetic test for POAG in PBGVs. To encourage owners to have their dogs tested, the PBGV Health & Rescue Founda-

tion reimbursed owners for the partial cost of the test if they submitted the results to an open database. To track PBGV 

health, the PBGVCA developed an open pedigree database that incorporated POAG test results. It was sobering to 

learn that 4% of PBGVs in North America are destined to develop glaucoma due to this gene mutation, and 40% are 

carriers of the mutation able to pass the gene on to their offspring. Thankfully, POAG status can now be taken into ac-

count when planning breedings; therefore, very few puppies affected by POAG should be born in the future. 

With all of this behind us, you may be thinking that the storm is over and our work on behalf of eye health is done. You 

would be wrong! I think of this as the eye of the hurricane. In the second phase of this storm, the Health Committee 

has committed to educating the PBGV community about the many other ocular diseases to which PBGVs are suscep-

tible. In addition, the PBGV Health & Rescue Foundation has made a financial commitment to encourage owners to 

learn more about their PBGV’s eyes. In other words, just because you have dealt with POAG in your PBGVs, you cannot 

be complacent about other aspects of eye health. We hope to match the earlier emphasis on POAG DNA tests with a 

new priority on every PBGV being examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist. 

Are exams by an eye specialist really necessary? PBGV breeders already know 

the answer to this question. Health-conscious breeders have both the sire’s 

and dam’s eyes examined before each breeding. They have the puppies’ eyes 

examined before they go to their forever homes. These measures are intended 

to reduce the risk of inherited eye diseases appearing in future generations. 

But whether your PBGV participates in conformation, agility, rally/obedience, 

nosework, or is simply a companion, s/he needs to periodically visit a veteri-

nary ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam.

Hopefully, you have read Veronica Scheer’s article in the previous issue of Sa-

ber Tails, detailing the heartbreak of learning that her 3-year-old Vivien has closed angle glaucoma. Vivien lost one 

eye to increased intraocular pressure this summer and her remaining eye must be continually monitored. In addi-

tion to closed angle glaucoma, other eye disorders that sporadically afflict PBGVs are cataracts, persistent pupillary 

membranes, and lens luxation. An exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is necessary to evaluate your 

PBGV’s potential susceptibility to these disorders.

If your PBGV’s DNA test for POAG came back with the result ‘POAG affected’, then you probably already have a rela-

tionship with a veterinary ophthalmologist who is monitoring your PBGV’s eyes. S/he will be looking for early signs 

of glaucoma, such as lens subluxation, globe enlargement, increased intraocular pressure, and vision impairment 

(Crispin, 2017).

If your PBGV’s DNA test came back with the result ‘POAG carrier’ or ‘POAG clear’, then you can be confident that your 

hound will not develop glaucoma due to the known genetic mutation in ADAMTS17. However, s/he could develop 

The PBGVCA Health Com-

mittee recommends that all 

PBGVs receive periodic eye 

exams by a board-certified 

veterinary ophthalmologist.