BVA Eye Testing

British Veterinary Association (BVA) Eye Testing

For over 30 years BVA has operated a hereditary eye disease screening programme in conjunction with the Kennel Club (KC) and the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS). The scheme now covers 11 hereditary eye conditions in over 50 breeds of dog.

The main purpose of the scheme is to ensure that there is no evidence of hereditary eye disease in dogs used for breeding. Breeders are often advised to submit dogs for annual eye tests, since some diseases have late onset of clinical signs. For further details on the eye scheme please follow these links: What is the Eye Scheme, Information for Owners. For veterinary surgeons or clients interested in more technical information about the scheme, please read the attached information from the BVA/KC. Further information is also available on the BVA website.

It is also possible for litters to be tested for congenital hereditary conditions such as Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD) when they are between six and twelve weeks of age.

Costs – reviewed on an annual basis by BVA

Booking appointments

When a client calls in to book an eye test, this is booked and they are registered as a South Devon Referrals client but NO REFERRAL is necessary.

The client must be informed that they must bring along their ORIGINAL KC/ISDS owners registration certificate in order for them to obtain the results of the test on the same day (a photocopy is not allowed under the scheme rules.)

They must also be informed that the dog must have permanent identification, either a microchip or tattoo. This will be checked at the time of the test before a certificate is issued. Please note, if the dog is tattooed, this must be legible by the Vet performing the eye test.

Any dog can be eye tested whether it is KC/ISDS registered or not.

Non KC/ISDS registered dogs

If the dog is not registered, this is as straightforward as it gets. No paperwork is necessary!

Registered dogs

When the owner arrives for their appointment, an RVN will usually apply the eye drops. (Unless gonioscopy is being done). The KC/ISDS registration document will then be taken from the owner in order for the official test paperwork to be completed.

If an owner has not brought the correct paperwork with them, the test can still be done, but no certificate/results can be issued. The owner will need to bring in the correct documentation at a later date in order for this to be completed. This can be in person or by post. The certificate/results will then be transferred to the correct paperwork and posted back to them.

Puppy Litter Screening

Puppies can be screened for some congenital conditions as soon as they have their eyes open. Puppies do not have to be registered with the KC or ISDS, although owners/breeders must bring along the following to the appointment:

• Exact date of birth of the puppies
• KC/ISDS registration details (registered name and registration number) of BOTH parents
• Number of puppies born in the litter.

All puppies must be microchipped prior to eye testing.

Conditions

The conditions which are routinely screened for in adult dogs are:

Congenital inherited conditions

• Goniodysgenesis/Primary Glaucoma (G)
• Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV)
• Multifocal/Total Retinal dysplasia (MRD, TRD)
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
• Congenital Hereditary Cataract (CHC)

Non-congenital inherited conditions

• Hereditary cataract (HC)
• Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
• Generalised/Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GPRA, CPRA)
• Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM)

For some congenital inherited problems, litters of puppies are screened to establish the status of the whole litter. For dogs of any age, individual certificates are issued with respect to the known inherited eye disease(s) for the breed under examination.

Procedure

For adult dog eye testing, the normal procedure involves first of all applying eye drops to dilate the pupils in order for the examination to take place.

If the animal is of a breed predisposed to Goniodysgenesis/Primary Glaucoma (G), then the drops are withheld until the first part of the examination has been completed. (Gonioscopy)

The breeds drops are not routinely given to are:

• Bassett Hound
• Flat Coated Retriever
• Siberian Husky
• Cocker Spaniel
• American Spaniel
• Great Dane

However, ALWAYS check before ANY dog is given drops.

Sedation

The procedure of eye screening does not usually require the dog to be sedated, however, if the dog is of a nervous/excitable nature this is sometimes necessary. Charges may apply.