ECVO MANUAL: BREEDS 2021
German Shepherd
Ocular disorders known or presumed to be inherited (published)
Diagnosis Description and Inheritance Gene/ References
comments marker test
specific to the
breed
Eversion of the Scroll-like curling Unknown NO 1
cartilage of the of the cartilage,
A
nictitating uni- or bilateral,
membrane occurs in puppies
Chronic Unknown NO 1,3-8
B superficial
keratitis (Pannus)
Corneal Unknown NO 1,2
dystrophy
C
-epithelial
-stromal
D Limbal melanoma Unknown NO 12
Cataract 1. congenital 1.Autosomal NO 1, 9, 10
dominant
E
2. cortical 2. Autosomal
recessive
Progressive Autosomal NO 1, 11
F Retinal Atrophy recessive
(PRA)
Hypoplastic Unknown NO 1
G papilla ( Optic
nerve hypoplasia)
Known and Presumed Hereditary Eye Diseases (KP-HED) in Dogs and Cats
ECVO MANUAL: BREEDS 2021
H Micropapilla Unknown NO 1
Cone Autosomal CNGA3 13
degeneration- recessive
I
hemeralopia/achr
omatopsia
The ECVO’s advice relating to hereditary eye disease control
Please see ECVO Manual chapter 8: VET Advice
Recommendations regarding age and frequency for eye examinations
Please see ECVO Manual chapter 7: ECVO Age and Frequency recommendations
Other ocular disorders (reported)
Diagnosis Source
A Distichiasis ACVO genetics committee
B Plasmoma ACVO genetics committee
C Persistent pupillary membranes ACVO genetics committee
- iris to iris
D Retinal dysplasia ACVO genetics committee
- folds
References
1. Rubin LF. 1989. Inherited eye diseases in purebred dogs. Baltimore: Williams &
Wilkins. p 138-146.
2. Crispin S, Barnett KC: Dystrophy, degeneration and infiltration of the canine
cornea. J Small Anim Pract 24:63, 1983.
Known and Presumed Hereditary Eye Diseases (KP-HED) in Dogs and Cats
ECVO MANUAL: BREEDS 2021
3. Stades et al, 2006, Praktische Augenheilkunde für den Tierarzt, Schlütersche
Verlagsanstalt, 15:244
4. Überreiter O: A particular form of keratitis [chronic superficial keratitis] in dogs.
Wien Tierarztl Mschr 48:65, 1961.
5. Krähenmann A: Effect of UV light on the cornea of German shepherd dogs.
Proc World,Veterinary Congress, 1741, 1975.
6. Slatter DH et al: Überreiter's syndrome (chronic superficial keratitis) in dogs in
the Rocky Mountain area: a study of 463 cases. J Small Anim Pract 18:757, 1977.
7. Campbell LH et al: Chronic superficial keratitis in dogs: Detection of cellular
hypersensitivity. Am J Vet Res 36:669, 1975.
8. Bedford PGC, Longstaffe JA: Corneal pannus (chronic superficial keratitis in the
German shepherd dog. J Small Anim Prac 20:41, 1979.
9. Barnett KC: The diagnosis and differential diagnosis of cataract in the dog. J
Small Anim Pract 26:305, 1985.
10. Barnett KC: Hereditary cataract in the German shepherd dog. J Small Anim Pract
27:387, 1986
11. Priester WA: Canine progressive retinal atrophy. Occurrence by age, breed and
sex. Am J Vet Res 35:571, 1974.
12. Martin CL: Canine epibulbar melanomas. J Amer Anim Hospital Assoc 17:83-90,
1981.
13. Tanaka N, Dutrow EV, Miyadera K, et al. Canine CNGA3 gene mutations
provide novel insights into human achromatopsia-associated channelopathies and
treatment. PLoS One.2015;10:e0138943.
Known and Presumed Hereditary Eye Diseases (KP-HED) in Dogs and Cats
