PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC PRIMARY VITREOUS
This is another inherited cataract, although it is a much more complex condition and it is much more difficult to tell how it is inherited in pups. During a puppy's development, certain blood vessels are needed to help develop the eye. In 'normal' pups, these blood vessels disappear after they are no longer needed (usually within a few weeks during development) in puppies with PHPV the vessels don't disappear and can cause eye problems.
PHPV is congenital (this means that it will be present at birth) and can be detected in puppies as young as 6 weeks old. The condition is not progressive – this means that once it's detected and manifests itself it will not get worse as the puppy grows older.
Dogs can be affected very mildly or quite severely, and if it is present in a breeding dog, there is no way to know how badly pups will be affected in a litter. If the Dam or Sire has mild PHPV the pups could potentially have a much worse strain of the illness.
This is why it is essential to ensure that all breeding dogs are screened for the illness along with HC and L2–HGA. Screened parents will have certificates and again pups can have a clear status added to their KC papers, if both adults are clear and are registered with the Kennel club..
