title: Cataracts in the Norwegian Buhund-current prevalence and characteristics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate prevalence and characteristics of cataracts in the Norwegian Buhund breed 20 years after high reported prevalence of especially pulverulent nuclear cataracts (PNCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and fifty Norwegian Buhund dogs in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark (117 males and 133 females) with previously unknown eye health status were included. Forty-five dogs had multiple examinations (two to six times over a 6-year period). Median age was 4.4 years [0.2-15.2] at first examination and 5.3 years [0.2-15.2] at last examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  All dogs underwent regular screening for inherited eye diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the last observation of each dog, 52.4% were affected by PNC, categorized as minimal (33 of 250 dogs; 13.2%), mild (31 dogs; 12.4%), moderate (38 dogs; 15.2%), or pronounced (29 dogs; 11.6%). Moderate or pronounced changes were only seen in older dogs, and progressive changes were identified in some of the re-examined dogs. Some dogs, free of lenticular changes at early examinations, were affected by PNC at re-examinations. The odds for finding PNC increased with dog's age up to approximately 8 years. Presumably inherited cataracts other than PNC were found in 53 dogs (21.2%) with cortical (17.6%) and posterior polar (6.4%) locations as the most common ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high prevalence of PNC in the breed reported 20 years ago persists. PNCs are not always visible in young dogs, and the rate of progression varies. The prevalence of other types of cataract is also high, but cataracts rarely cause loss of vision in this breed.
authors.affiliation: Hønefoss Dyrehospital, Hønefoss, Norway.
authors.forename: Elin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Revold
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Frode
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lingaas
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Colombia, MO, USA.|RetVet KB, Vaxholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Narfström
authors.affiliation: Dyrenes Laege og Oegenklinik, Rødkaersbro, Denmark.
authors.forename: Pia Bjerre
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kielland
authors.affiliation: Hønefoss Dyrehospital, Hønefoss, Norway.
authors.forename: Stein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ernst-Otto
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Ropstad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013045:Species Specificity; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Norwegian Buhund; cataract; dog; eye; pulverulent nuclear cataract