Subjective vision assessment in companion dogs using dogVLQ demonstrates age-associated visual dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ophthalmology
• Animal Behavior
• Gerontology

Background:

• Dim light vision impairment is common in aging humans, affecting quality of life.
• Visual assessment tools for dogs exist, but their sensitivity for subtle age-related changes is unclear.
• Older dogs may experience age-associated visual decline, impacting their well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel proxy visual function questionnaire for dogs.
• To assess age-associated differences in canine visual behaviors across various lighting conditions.
• To determine if the new questionnaire can detect subtle vision changes in older dogs.

Main Methods:

• A 27-item questionnaire, the dog variable lighting questionnaire (dogVLQ), was created.
• The dogVLQ, a validated vision impairment score, and electroretinography (ERG) were administered.
• Questionnaire scores were correlated with dog age and ERG results.

Main Results:

• The dogVLQ identified reduced vision in older dogs across bright light, dim light, and darkness.
• Vision in near darkness was predicted to have a younger onset compared to other conditions.
• Older dogs showed greater difficulty with transitions between lighting conditions.
• Questionnaire results correlated with objective ERG measurements.

Conclusions:

• Subjective owner assessment via the dogVLQ aligns with objective retinal function measurements.
• The dogVLQ is a sensitive tool for detecting age-related vision decline in dogs.
• Reduced vision-mediated behaviors are evident in older dogs, particularly in challenging lighting.