title: Cataracts in the Bichon Frise.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the clinical characteristics of possible inherited cataract in the Bichon Frise breed. These characteristics include the relative frequency, gender effects, site of first cataract formation, age of onset, relationship of age to cataract maturity, and other concurrent pre- and postoperative ophthalmic diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four different populations of Bichon Frise were examined. They included: (1) referred patients of the University of Florida (VMTH; 1990-2000); (2) patients from other universities and large institutions (VMDB; 1970-2000); (3) patients from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF; 1970-2000); and (4) special patients recruited from eye clinics and ACVO specialty practices (1995-2001). Blood samples were obtained from many patients for future DNA analyzes. Statistical comparisons between groups were by general linear and anova analyzes, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The four populations of cataractous and total Bichon Frise dogs included: (1) UF-VMTH: 57 cataractous dogs; (2) VMDB: 406 dogs (28%) with cataracts; total dogs--1407; (3) CERF: 505 cataractous dogs (6%); total dogs--8222; and (4) ACVO: 223 cataractous dogs (57%); total dogs--391. In each population group, gender did not affect cataract distribution. Dogs between 2 and 8 years of age were most frequently affected, and initial cataract involvement affected equally the anterior and posterior cortices. Immature cataracts occurred more often in younger dogs, and hypermature cataracts were more frequently diagnosed in older dogs. Dogs with early cataracts were encountered more frequently in the CERF population. Pre- and postoperative retinal detachments (RD) were not infrequently diagnosed in the UF-VMTH and VMDB groups. RD in the UF-VMTH and VMDB groups occurred in 33% and 13% of the patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cataracts were first encountered in CERF and VMDB data between 1975 and 1979 and have increased since this time. As expected, both similarities and differences between the four different populations of Bichon Frise were encountered. Both sexes of dogs are equally affected. The anterior and posterior cortical areas of the lens were first involved and dogs 2-8 years of age are most frequently affected. Cataracts affected younger dogs in the CERF group and older cataractous dogs in the other populations. Cataract formation appears to be inherited in the Bichon Frise dog. The frequency of pre- and postoperative retinal detachments present higher risks for cataract surgery in this breed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0126, USA. gelattk@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Kirk N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Gelatt
authors.forename: Margaret R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Stacy E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Andrew
authors.forename: Edward O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: MacKay
authors.forename: Don A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Samuelson
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D017678:Sex Distribution