You may have heard that Golden Retrievers are more susceptible to cancer than other dogs. Approximately 60% of them get the disease, about twice the rate of other dogs.
Today, I read about another disease that primarily strikes Golden Retrievers from local sportswriter and avid dog lover Jim Moore.
Pigmentary Uveitis
Cysts visible around the iris is a symptom of pigmentary uveitis. Image from hawthornehillsseattleveterinaryhospital.com.
In a column in the Kitsap Sun yesterday, Moore wrote that his 12-year-old Golden Retriever named Willie has gone blind due to the eye disease pigmentary uveitis, which causes inflammation of the uveal tract, including the iris (the colored part of the eye).”
Symptoms of Pigmentary Uveitis
According to Northwest Animal Eye Specialists, “signs detectable to a pet owner can be limited to redness and minimal drainage so the disease can progress to an advanced stage before affected pets are presented to a veterinarian.”
Other possible symptoms are can include squinting, photophobia (light sensitivity), and cloudiness of the eye or eyes.
The average age of Golden Retrievers that get pigmentary uveitis is 8.6-years-old although it can appear in both young and old dogs. The disease appears to be inherited but no one is certain what causes it.
The disease itself doesn’t cause blindness. However, the complications caused by it can cause glaucoma or cataracts, either of which can cause blindness.
If there is too much pressure on the eyeball a vet will remove it. Photo from www.pvs-ec.com.
And even if a dog goes blind from the disease, it still must be monitored closely because glaucoma can cause severe pain in its eyes. In these cases a surgeon may have to remove them.
Moore wrote about pigmentary uveitis “to get the word out” about this primarily unknown disease. He regular vet hadn’t even heard of it.
You should read the entire column as Moore describes how he and his family adjusted to Willie’s blindness and how Willie acclimated to it so late in his life. Click here to read the it in the Kitsap Sun.
Willie is still experiencing pain and will have his eyes removed on March 1. I’m sure he’ll pull through it with no problem and will be swimming Lake Washington in no time.
If you have a Golden Retriever make sure your vet checks its eyes for pigmentary uveitis.
I am sure this is what my Golden Retriever has. Jackson was 5 last August. He has the black spots that appear to be coming out of the iris.
I am looking for more information. I am suspecting glaucoma as well.
Our almost 6 year old Golden was diagnosed with pigmentary uveitis in Jan., 2018. Our vet referred us to a specialized vet practice as he wasn’t sure what was wrong. The specialty vet prescribed prednisolone acetate as well as ocuglo eye vitamins. He was monitored about every 3 months and in July of 2018 I noticed his right eye had bulged out. The pressure in that eye had increased so he was also prescribed dorzolamide/timolol, which is also prescribed for humans with glaucoma. He was closely monitored and had enucleation surgery (eye removal) Feb. 22nd. He’s doing very well and can’t wait to be able to play with our other dog.
I’m so sorry. I hope he’s back to normal soon.
Wow… glad I read this. If I saw this happening to my dog I might have just thought his eye color was changing with age or something. Good (although sad) to know it might not be so benign…
my 9 year golden just got diagnosed with this disease. Came on suddenly she has well checks every 6 months. A month before her last check her right eye was red no other symptoms, evaluated by a specialist. Both eyes effected but only the right eye has increase pressures on 3 meds still has vision both eyes hoping for the best. Wish I had known about this and would have been asking for screening last few years average onset 8 years of age
I’m so sorry. I hope he’s able to keep the eye.
This is heartbreaking. I noticed a spot on my 2 year-old Golden’s eye a little while back, but I didn’t think anything about it because it looks like the outside color of the eye. But it has gotten bigger recently and I am taking him to the vet this weekend. I am praying it is benign.
I hope it turns out to be benign. Good luck.
My 3.5 year old just developed the blue line like in this picture but nothing else. Is that a marker for this disease?
I’m sorry I don’t know. Please check with your vet.