Canine Fundus Abnormalities

—A Survey of Over 29 Pound-Derived Breeds in Japan—

Abstract

Since January of 1978, a survey of ocular fundus abnormality has been carried out on pound-derived dogs at a national medical school. Over 3600 animals were checked in the period of 79 months. Almost all dogs were younger than 4, 5 years of age. The ocular examination of these animals was performed in a clean, air-conditioned research facility for laboratory animal science where the dogs were reared on commercial diet. In this period, over 29 breeds were recorded. After premedication with a mydriatric agent (Mydrin P^R, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.), the ocular fundi were recorded with a portable ophthalmoscopic camera (Kowa RC-2, Kowa Co. Ltd.). The incidence rate of retinal haemorrhage, retinal detachment, retinal atrophy, and atapetal retina was less than 1.3 percent. Chorioretinitis and retinitis were observed especially in Japanese native breeds such as the Akita.