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Objectives To report the prevalence and clinical characteristics of an open-angle glaucoma in Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen ( PBGV) dogs in the United Kingdom ( UK). Animals studied and methods At breed society clinics extending over a 6-year period, 366 dogs of varying ages and both sexes were clinically examined for signs of glaucoma using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect and direct ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and gonioscopy. Results The prevalence of glaucoma was 10.4% (38 dogs). Clinical signs of the disease presented from 3 years of age onwards, the commonest initial feature being the elevation of intraocular pressure ( IOP) in 15 dogs (39.4%). In addition to elevated IOP, another 13 dogs (34.2%) presented with other features of glaucoma, some with lens subluxation and globe enlargement and all with possible or known vision defects. In the remaining 10 dogs (26.3%), phacodonesis or lens subluxation was observed before subsequent elevation of IOP. Conclusions High prevalence and similarity to the primary open-angle glaucoma ( POAG) seen in the Beagle and Elkhound breeds indicate that an open-angle glaucoma is present in the PBGV in the UK and that this disease may be genetically determined in this breed. Although increased IOP is the commonest early diagnostic feature, lens instability prior to an increase in IOP may be part of the clinical picture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author comments on hereditary ocular disease on the pedigree dog population. Topics covered include the author's experience of diagnosing hereditary ocular diseases such as primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in a Norwegian elkhound, the need to develop a DNA-based test for diagnosing hereditary ocular diseases in the pedigree dog population and the contribution of breeders in Great Britain to ocular disease control.

Presents a letter to the editor about the application of DNA-based test in detection of progressive retinal atrophy in dogs.