Primary Lens Luxation
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL): The gene marker for PLL was found in 2009 and test can be ordered from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
It is a condition where fibers that hold the lens in place deteriorate. The lens is then left wobbly or even just sitting in the eye. If the lens is disturbed it could shift into the anterior (forward) chamber of the eye and possibly rub up against the cornea or it could fall backward into the posterior chamber of the eye. To find out more indepth information go to the MBTCA website above.
To be affected a dog needs to have two mutated genes (one from each parent). For this reason two carriers should never be bred together and affected dogs shouldn't ever be bred. Carriers can still luxate but the chance are very low.
Affected = HIGH RISK (2 mutated genes)
Carrier = LOW RISK (1 mutated gene and 1 normal gene)
Clear = NO RISK (2 normal genes)
Our experience with PLL:
Our Auli'i was born before the DNA test for PLL was available and when the test came out we had her tested. The test came back affected and we were devastated. We didn't know anything about PLL except that it would make our dog go blind. The thought of her being blind just crushed us.
In February 2011, after a long bout of playing with Nalo, Auli'i wouldn't open her right eye. Nalo & Auli'i were playing so we thought Nalo might've accidentally caught Auli'i in the eye. We found out her right lens had luxated and the pressure in her eye was so high that we needed to do surgery on her the next day. Surgery went well but Auli'i's eye had so much pressure built up and her lens had been luxated and rubbing against her cornea for so long that it had done damage, her eye was blind. 6 months later, Aug 10, 2011 she had her second lens luxate and removed. Because of our prior experience with her right eye we were able to notice her winking her left eye and immediately took her to the Veterinary Ophthalmologist. They were able to remove her lens and save her vision in that eye. She was extremely far sighted in that eye so she could see us when she was across the yard but when she came up close to get a treat she needed to use her nose to find it. Then February 2012 we noticed she was bumping into more things and didn't want to go walking so we took her in to the vet to find out that her retina had detached so she became completely blind. Although she had no sight she was able to do everything and adjusted amazingly. She was still her sweet self and totally happy and she still played fetch!
Auli'i after her second eye surgery...the heart on her leg wrap made it all better!
It is a condition where fibers that hold the lens in place deteriorate. The lens is then left wobbly or even just sitting in the eye. If the lens is disturbed it could shift into the anterior (forward) chamber of the eye and possibly rub up against the cornea or it could fall backward into the posterior chamber of the eye. To find out more indepth information go to the MBTCA website above.
To be affected a dog needs to have two mutated genes (one from each parent). For this reason two carriers should never be bred together and affected dogs shouldn't ever be bred. Carriers can still luxate but the chance are very low.
Affected = HIGH RISK (2 mutated genes)
Carrier = LOW RISK (1 mutated gene and 1 normal gene)
Clear = NO RISK (2 normal genes)
Our experience with PLL:
Our Auli'i was born before the DNA test for PLL was available and when the test came out we had her tested. The test came back affected and we were devastated. We didn't know anything about PLL except that it would make our dog go blind. The thought of her being blind just crushed us.
In February 2011, after a long bout of playing with Nalo, Auli'i wouldn't open her right eye. Nalo & Auli'i were playing so we thought Nalo might've accidentally caught Auli'i in the eye. We found out her right lens had luxated and the pressure in her eye was so high that we needed to do surgery on her the next day. Surgery went well but Auli'i's eye had so much pressure built up and her lens had been luxated and rubbing against her cornea for so long that it had done damage, her eye was blind. 6 months later, Aug 10, 2011 she had her second lens luxate and removed. Because of our prior experience with her right eye we were able to notice her winking her left eye and immediately took her to the Veterinary Ophthalmologist. They were able to remove her lens and save her vision in that eye. She was extremely far sighted in that eye so she could see us when she was across the yard but when she came up close to get a treat she needed to use her nose to find it. Then February 2012 we noticed she was bumping into more things and didn't want to go walking so we took her in to the vet to find out that her retina had detached so she became completely blind. Although she had no sight she was able to do everything and adjusted amazingly. She was still her sweet self and totally happy and she still played fetch!
Auli'i after her second eye surgery...the heart on her leg wrap made it all better!