Some who have belonged to Pawsitively Terries for some time may recognise the pictures, which were part of our original awareness campaign.
Many thanks to those who gave us the pictures.
Many thanks to those who gave us the pictures.
Primary Len Luxation (PLL)
Almost from the beginning of Pawsitively Terriers, alongside promoting science/evidence based training methods we have tried to promote better understanding of welfare issues including the importance of screening breeding dogs and bitches for inheritable conditions before mating where DNA tests are available, and more are becoming available all the time.
Among the inheritable conditions passed on in Terrier Breeds one of the more common and devastating has been PLL which has affected a number of Jack Russell Terriers belonging to Paws members. While having your dog develop any inheritable disease is terrible but there is something particularly devastating about PLL as not only does it predominantly affect young dogs (typically 4 – 6yrs, though I have heard of the condition manifesting in dogs as young as 2yrs) but in many cases severely affected dogs will have to have their eyes removed.
The gene causing PLL is recessive so will normally only cause a problem when both parents are affected but may, rarely, occur when the parents are not affected, so good screening could send this and other inheritable diseases, to the history books.
A serious complication is secondary glaucoma and it is this condition which can cause raised pressure in the eyes, infections, ulceration of the corneas and severe pain. In some cases it is possible to control the condition with medication but it is this condition which, if sever, may lead to enucleation (surgical removal of the eyeball)
The following breeds are known to be affected (a number of non-terrier breeds are also affected but not listed):-
Bull Terrier- Miniature,
Fox terrier, smooth,
Fox terrier, wire hair,
Jack Russell terrier - see Parson Russell below,
Manchester terrier,
Parson (Jack) Russell terrier,
Scottish terrier (Scottie),
Sealyham terrier,
Skye terrier,
Tibetan terrier,
Welsh terrier
Source
information from University of Prince Edward Island CIDD
Join the conversation
It would be interesting to know how much is generally known about the condition, whether Paws has increased awareness and prevalence of the condition among members’ terriers so please join in the conversation below
Did you know about PLL before joining Paws?
Do you have have a terrier with PLL
Do you have a terrier with some other inherited condition if so do please tell us more in the comments, if you wish to.