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.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) and Other Eye Problems in JRTs
(Updated from old forum from 2013.06.27)
(This post may be under my username but it is only here because of Annie1313, Snowy747, Vanja and Smelly Elly, courageous owners of 4 brave little dogs all of whom are blind or severely visually impaired. Their mutual support inspired me and contributions from them, both directly and via what they have written on the forum, are the backbone of this post.)
This Post covers:
Some of the more Common Eye Problems in JRTs, with links to further information, about the conditions and management
Links to websites offering help and advice for people with visually impaired dogs
Genetic issues
Names of Forum and/or Paws FB members who have experienced eye problems with their dogs and would be happy to try and answer your questions
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
This is a condition where the lens is partially or fully dislocated from the threads that hold it in position within the eye and will result in blindness if the condition is not treated. Sadly this may occur even if treatment is given but the correct care could at least delay the progress of the disease.
The condition is not easily recognised by owners as it is not unusual for it to present as a seemingly innocuous case of conjunctivitis, as happened with (Alison’s/one member’s [Alison up to you which I use]) JRTx, Misty. In this case the usual vet prescribed ointment and it was only several days later the eye went cloudy and an emergency appointment with an ophthalmologist revealed PLL in both eyes.
Sadly, once the cloudiness has appeared the only solution may be radical surgery to remove the lens with a 180o cut around the eye. The cloudiness is caused by the lens falling forwards or backwards and blocking the drainage channels. If you EVER see cloudiness in the eye, DO NOT WAIT, SEEK IMMEDIATE VETERINARY ATTENTION. This urgent because it only takes hours for the whole eye to be so severely damaged that it is necessary to remove of the entire globe (enucleation).
Squinting and blinking can also be a sign that all is not well with the eye or eyes and must not be ignored in JRTs, PRTs and other commonly affected breeds
It is also excruciatingly painful for the dog, as it causes a build-up of pressure in the eye, (possibly like severe migraine). As they can’t tell you that their head aches or their eye hurts it really is a case of knowing your dog and recognising a change in behaviour that might indicate to you that (s)he is hurting. Anne (one forum member) reported that at meal times her dog waited for her biscuits to soften before chewing on them - it was only in retrospect that she realised that this was because crunching exacerbating the pain from the PLL.
PLL is usually hereditary and can occur in dogs that are still quite young, one of the forum dogs was affected when only 2yrs old. For more information on PLL visit this link https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-p...xation-in-dogs
Complications may include corneal ulceration and secondary glaucoma (see below) which can be incredibly painful but may respond to long term, regular administration of eyedrops, up to x4 daily, and protection of the eyes from dust or anything that could irritate them.
Because of the pain, distress of repeated visits to specialist vets and ongoing need for eyedrops, which can in themselves be painful, not to mention the cost, enucleation of the eye may become necessary or the preferred option. While enucleation may seem extreme while a dog has some sight the disadvantages of taking away any residual vision against the benefits. Most dogs do adjust amazingly quickly to loss of sight and, once free of pain, achieve a quality of life not possible while they are in chronic pain or suffering repeated episodes of ulceration.
A final decision on how the condition is best managed will never be easy and will have to be up to each owner in consultation with their specialist vet.
The following testimony was made by a JRT owner who had a JRT with PLL and later adopted a dog who had been blind for 6yrs
“Treatment is very expensive and not always successful, and it is not always in the dog's interest to keep on trying. A blind dog can be happy and independent with the right person. Living with some vision but continuous pain is not necessarily the best option.
"I know with Jumble I regretted putting her through so much and she improved dramatically when she finally had the second eye removed. Just worth looking at the whole picture.
“Maggie arrived here being totally blind for 6 years, yet she found her way really quickly and within a few weeks was navigating the cat flap with ease which gave her so much independence. She also spent time with me in.my holiday chalet with no catflap and no contained garden but she also adapted and was happy
Glaucoma
Raised pressure within the eye which may be a primary condition or secondary to PLL, and as with PLL it can be very hard to recognise that there is anything wrong. Tell-tale signs may include decreased activity, less desire to play, irritability, and/or decreased appetite or other changes in their normal behaviour. There may be no obvious signs such as squinting or rubbing of the eye.
Remember, your pup can’t say they have a headache or their eye is agonisingly painful you have to watch for signs such as changes in behaviour https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/glaucoma-in-dogs
Corneal ulceration
A condition in which the outer layer of the cornea is damaged and lost. It may or result from trauma, infections or exposure to chemicals and is sometimes associated with Glaucoma as the treatment can make the cornea more fragile. Corneal ulcer in dogs is a serious medical condition that may lead to loss of vision so as with the other conditions mentioned early diagnosis and immediate treatment is absolutely necessary. As the condition is painful, there may be increased pawing or rubbing at the eye or the dog may be squinting showing redness, tearing, cloudiness of the cornea. There may also be some discharge from the eye, redness of the eyelids and the area surrounding the cornea, lethargy or changes in normal dog behaviour. For more information https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-p...ulcers-in-dogs