Can anyone tell me if they have done this test w/ Optigen when they had a dog who was diagnosed w/ retinal folds? I have no experience w/ folds and have just learned about them and this test.

One of our puppies was found to have 1 tiny fold in one eye and the cerf dr said that if we wanted to do the RD test on her and she isn't a carrier of RD then he would go ahead and cerf her for breeding purposes. She is in a pet home now but we would consider this test in the future if folds showed up on a very promising puppy that we intended on keeping.

I tested several dogs that were part of a study I was doing on the so-called puppy folds, and either had or produced puppy folds. All were non-carriers for RD-OSD. Before breeding, I would test any dog that has folds or had litter mates with folds just to be sure, but it does appear that the folds that are limited to a few in the lower part of the retina and disappear during puppyhood are not caused by RD-OSD. I still have all my litters examined at 6-8 weeks and, if the entire litter is free of folds (and the parents, too, of course), I do not test for RD-OSD.

Because I did that study, I have heard from other people who had retinal folds. There seem to be at least three kinds, the one associated with RD-OSD, which are geographic (covering the entire retina) and do not always disappear, the "puppy folds" limited to the lower part of the retina, which have always tested clear, and another type of geographic folds, as I heard from someone who had geographic folds in a dog that was tested clear for RD-OSD.

The Optigen test is not for geographic RD. Even on the Optigen site it expains:

"Please note that these comments refer only to Focal/Multi-focal reitnal dysplasia (retinal folds). Geographic retinal dysplasia may represent a different, possibly inherited, disease."

Breeder, are you saying that the RD-OSD folds do not involved the entire retina, which is how I've always heard the term "geographic" used, or are you using it in a more specific way to designate a particular type of fold?

Geographic Retinal Dysplasia is an inherited problem that does not progress, its there from puppy. The test that Optigen does is for one specific type of RD and even if clear by the Optigen test, a dog can still have and carry Geographic RD. Ive been told by specialists that a dog should not be bred as they will pass on Geographic RD even if they are clear from the single RD Optigen test.

OK. That sounds like the condition that my correspondent described. Are you disagreeing that the puppy folds are a different condition? I was told that they are now breeders option for CERF. It's not a big deal for me because i always kept the folds dogs separate from my regular breeding program, but i have had several correspondents who would need to know.

from the vmdb website

Retinal folds may be seen in many breeds and still pass a CERF examination and receive a CERF number. This is due to the fact that the condition is thought either not to be hereditary in the particular breed or has never been shown to be connected to serious (blinding) forms of dysplasia. In some breeds, particularly Labrador Retrievers, Samoyeds, and English Springer Spaniels, individuals with retinal folds are NOT given a CERF number. Since retinal dysplasia is common in these breeds and dogs and bitches with retinal folds can have puppies with blindness and/or skeletal problems the gene should not be perpetuated. In all breeds, individuals with geographic and retinal detachment forms of retinal dysplasia are NOT certifiable.

Peggy,

If a puppy has Geographic RD, they will always have it and it is hereditary. These dogs should not be bred.

Mild dysplasia manifests as folds in the inner retinal layer. These are called "retinal folds". In "geographic" retinal dysplasia there are larger areas of defective retinal development. In the severe form of dysplasia, the 2 retinal layers do not come together at all and retinal detachment occurs. Retinal dysplasia is not progressive. It is a congenital defect and animals are born with as severe a condition as they will ever get. Retinal dysplasia can be detected as early as 6-8 weeks on a CERF examination. However, because the size of the eye is small and young puppies are often wiggling during examination, a 6 month recheck is recommended in order for the ophthalmologist to better see the back of the eye.

After 16 years, I'm experiencing something new. Had a puppy four years ago come back with geographic retinal dysplasia, per cerf paper "should not affect vision" The entire litter was cerf'd at 7 1/2 weeks, all clear but this one. Well fast forward to today and I get a call that after a year of bumping in to things (no calls to me) the dog has gone back in for an eye exam and is going blind from his Genetic condition. I did not test for inherited retinal dysplasia with mom, just pra and dad is pra clear as well. Anyone had any experiences with this. Mom has been spayed, it was her last litter anyways back then, all are in pet homes, no concerns from any others.

I think sight loss may be determined by how many folds were there. Do you remember? One or two - no problem, but I once had one with more than 50 or so - not in the area where the sight should be affected, though.

I seem to recall it was not alot. The eye doc did say it was not the normal labrador kind, so maybe that's playing in to it. I'm just trying to wrap my head around this poor boy going blind, when based on what I was told at the exam he wouldn't. I do know they can't know everything, but was trying to see if anyone else has dealt with this. Obviously at this point, nothing can change the outcome, but I'm trying to understand it all. I know mom did not have folds at 8 weeks, and cerf'd clear annually, dad had clean cerf record, do not know about 8 weeks. No blame being thrown, just trying to understand.

I purchased a dog that had GRD. When I took him to a CERF clinic the specialist said to not breed him as he can go blind as can his offspring.

Bummer. He's in a pet home, been neutered (young) and the rest of the litter are already altered as well as they all went to pet homes. Just trying to get some insight. The eye doc did say he wouldn't cerf but also said it wouldn't affect his vision. I guess if I had known, he probably would have stayed with me:-( Lesson learned, thanks for the help.