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Leonberger Club of GB

Update on Glaucoma & Testing in the UK for the Leonberger

Further information on glaucoma developments.

In order to clarify current developments regarding glaucoma cases in Leonbergers, the LCGB health committee would like to draw attention to the following items:

This statement has been provided to the LCGB by Dr. David Williams, veterinary ophthalmologist at Cambridge University Vet School, who has generously offered to collate glaucoma results for our breed.

“Over the last year several ophthalmologists, both in the UK and abroad, have encountered Leonbergers with glaucoma. This may have many causes, but one is an inherited abnormality in the drainage pathway of aqueous fluid from the eye. Several Leonbergers have been noted to have this abnormality, known as goniodysgenesis (from gonio = angle: the space between the iris and cornea through which the aqueous fluid drains form the eye and dysgenesis: abnormal development). We need information on which animals have this goniodysgenesis in order to assess the inheritance pattern of the condition. The angle can only be assessed with a specific examination (gonioscopy). Putting the breed onto Schedule B of the BVA/KC eye scheme would highlight the concern regarding this condition, encouraging gonioscopy at eye scheme panel examination and allow evaluation of the inheritance pattern for the condition, which is as yet unclear. The breed is not on schedule B as yet, as this requires a defined collaboration between ophthalmologists, owners and breeders. We look forward to such an investigation of this concerning condition.”

Ian Mason, chairman of the BVA eye panel, has kindly provided some initial answers for our membership regarding glaucoma in Leonbergers and its implications.

1- What, briefly, are the causes of glaucoma and is it always inherited?

Glaucoma can be described and diagnosed as either primary (inherited) or secondary. Primary glaucoma development is linked to the presence of the abnormality goniodysgenesis, where the aqueous fluid drainage system from the eye is impaired due to this change. Secondary abnormality arises as a result of other disease processes in the eye e.g .infection, inflammation or tumour.

2- If there is an increase in glaucoma cases in our Leonbergers, will there be a single clear and objective method of screening widely available to help guide future breeding practices?

Gonioscopy is currently the technique of choice for examination of the drainage angle of the eye and assessing any degree of abnormality and thus predisposition to glaucoma development.

3- Will one screening test be sufficient, or is it possible thatabnormalities of the drainage pathways can or will alter over time and need further assessment?

This is not clear in the Leonberger at present but the general feeling has been that in those breeds where goniodysgenesis is a problem one examination in a lifetime has been the correct procedure. We are currently carrying out follow up examinations in 2 breeds to check on that point.

4- If, for example, there have been reported 7 cases in seven unrelated dogs, does this in fact mean we have 7 affected breeding lines?

Firstly one needs to establish whether all cases are primary glaucoma linked to goniodysgenesis. Secondly some degree of pedigree analysis would be required before drawing that type of conclusion.

Mr. Mason will be among the speakers at our 2012 health seminar, details of which will be published as soon as they are finalised. (Eye testing for both glaucoma and hereditary cataracts should also be available at that seminar).

We will also be reporting back from the BVA eye panel’s April 2012 meeting as soon as the details regarding our breed are made available to us.

And finally, John Beel, veterinary consultant to the LCGB health subcommittee, attended the November 2011 meeting of the British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmologists where incidents of glaucoma were discussed. He is currently compiling further data on the frequency of cases being diagnosed nationally in Leonbergers. Seeking this information from veterinary ophthalmologists directly will be complimentary to the efforts of Dr. David Williams, who has asked owners to submit details of individual cases to him directly. Together, it is hoped that a clear picture will emerge.

The LCGB will continue to pursue this matter in collaboration with relevant qualified experts, and will only report information once its accuracy has been firmly established.

Initial Statement Regarding Glaucoma Testing in the UK for the Leonberger

The LCGB is aware of recent developments regarding cases of Glaucoma in our breed, and we thank David Williams from the Cambridge Veterinary School for the time and effort he has devoted to collating gonioscopy test results for UK Leonbergers in order to better understand the prevalence of this condition within our breed.

The 2012 health seminar will be on illnesses of the eye potentially affecting our Leos and among these will be glaucoma. Details will be published as soon as they are confirmed. We also hope to offer testing opportunities at the seminar.

The LCGB also understands that Leonbergers are likely to be nominated for glaucoma to be included on Schedule B “conditions currently under investigation” of the BVA eye scheme at their next meeting, to be held in April 2012. If this is the case, we are informed by the BVA that our breed will not be formally added to this schedule until it is updated in January 2013, following a period of consultation with the Leonberger Club of Great Britain. We will ensure that this includes a proper mechanism to gather the views of our membership. Further information will be posted as soon as it is available and confirmed.

In the meantime, we continue to urge owners to carry on requesting that the gonioscopy examination be added when they take their Leos for eye tests, it is a simple, quick and minimally intrusive procedure that will help researchers to build up an accurate understanding of the issue.

Here is a link to the list of certified BVA ophthalmology panellists:

http://www.bva.co.uk/public/documents/EP_list_Jan_2011.pdf

LCGB Health Subcommittee