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.