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I know that rumors are running rampant, so here's the scoop...... The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth........ FIRST A DISCLAIMER....... I have NEVER made any statements regarding any other breeder or their dogs. Without access to their records and test results I could not morally or legally do so. I have, however, in the ineterest of our breed, made, and will continue to make, remarks about my OWN dogs. FACT: I own a 7 year old bitch that is completely blind in her left eye from a generalized cataract. FACT: She was CERFed in Jan of 1995, 1996 and 1997 (all normal), I missed 1998. FACT: Sept 1999, 20 months after her last eye exam the cataract burst and she lost all vision in that eye. Now, in anyone's book 20 months for a cataract to develope, mature and burst is an EXTREMELY fast timeframe. FACT: She was bred twice....... In 1995 and produced four puppies; In 1997 and produced six puppies. Pedigrees can be found on Allen's and Flyer's individual page. FACT: Of the ten puppies whelped, I still own three of them. ALL three have eye anomolies. It was suggested by the opthomologist doing the CERF exams in Oct of 1999 that the worst (Allen) have an ERG to test for PRA. FACT: Pfyre, Allen and Flyer were seen by Dr Gregory Acland of the Retinal Disease Studies Facility at the University of PA in Philadelphia on May 24, 2000. FACT: Yes Pfyre has a cataract, an extremely fast maturing one, but there is no evidence of one developing in her other eye, AND she shows none of the anomolies that are in at least three of her get. FACT: Allen was ERG'd and DOES NOT have PRA. He does, however, seem to have some sort of RETINAL DEGENERATION, as both the cone and rod responses are lower than Dr Acland feels they should be. CONCLUSION: Pfyre's cataract is NOT hereditary, it seems to be a total coincidence that the entire family has eye problems of one sort or another. And although Dr Acland wouldn't be surprised for Flyer and Allen to develope cataracts, he thinks it would be a result of the problems they have rather than one they inherited from Pfyre. None of the three show any signs of Viterous Degeneration. Following is the report as written by Dr Acland. He will continue to follow these dogs and wants to examine them at least once a year, and preferably every six months or so. So there you have it folks......... I guess it's in the water here in Cleveland . I would be interested in learning (PRIVATELY) of any other whippets that may have the same anomolies. This would NOT keep them from being CERF'ed, but would be mentioned on the CERF report, as "blotchy tapetum" or "hyper or hypo reflectivity". AGAIN, I will continue to be open and upfront about whatever happens with these dogs, however I WILL NOT point fingers at others. I'm sure Dr Acland would be interested in seeing any dog with these anomolies that could make it to Kennett Square, PA (just SE of Philadelphia). He also practices at Cornell in Ithica, NY.
Dr Acland's report on Pfyre, Flyer and Allen
Allen's basic eye exam
Flyer's basic eye exam
Pfyre's basic eye exam
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