Working together toward a better breed.
The Jack Russell Terrier Research Foundation
Juvenile Cataracts
The Foundation is currently investigating priorities in research. If you are concerned about cataracts please contact us.
A cataract is defined as a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. Any spot on the lens that is opaque, regardless of size, is considered a cataract. They may affect one or both eyes. Some are clearly visible to the naked eye, appearing as white or bluish dots.
The prudent approach is to assume that progressive cataracts are hereditary. However, cataracts may result from injuries to the eye, exposure to great heat, radiation, diabetes, and old age (senile). Cataracts can also occur from ocular inflammation, specific metabolic diseases, persistent pupillary membrane ( PPM ), or nutritional deficiencies.
Breeding of affected animals is not recommended.
Angel
The Genetic Health Survey will help to determine common disorders in the breed, including hereditary cataracts and where our research dollars will be best spent.
ANGEL's Story
Angel AKA The Barking Lot's Minnie Might born in Yelm WA on June 18th 1996, She was the runt of her big litter of 6 pups. Angel has always been a true JRT in every characteristic of the breed. She is brave beyond belief in this little girl, Dominants to a fault with her JRT pack, Yet very loving to her human family. She has won Champion in numerous GTG, racing, & agility competitions, I took her to Nationals once which was the year of 9/11, I showed her in 2 classes spay bitch and agility she got 1st place out of 20 something in conformation and 4th place in agility. I also took her hunting in Kansas with Stephanie Poppe and The Fentons she successfully bolted a Ground Hog.
I have taken Angel to get CERF tested every year since she was born until I spayed her with a clean test every time. I skip a few years with her but thought I would take her to get checked when I took a breeding bitch of mine to get checked, Angel was 7.5 yrs of age when she was diagnosed with a pin head cataract at that time. About 6 months later I noticed she would bark at me while competing at the agility trials and her left eye was clouding up. When she was 9 yrs. old I noticed that her left eye was starting to turn blueish grey it wasn't long after that she was totally blind in that eye. Then I noticed that her right eye was starting to get cloudy yet she could still see where she was going. I entered her in agility in Feb. 2007 on Friday she could see by Sat. afternoon she couldn't see me throw the ball for her to fetch.
These cataracts progress very fast, Angel is still that brave, head up, proud little terrier even when she bumps into the wall for the door or trips down the stairs barking at something with the rest of the terriers. We call her badger girl when she tries to find the stairs. She will be 11 years old in June.
Tina Stafford