[Iridocorneal angle abnormalities and glaucoma in the Entlebucher Mountain Dogs in Switzerland]

In order to better control eye diseases with a genetic background the Swiss Association for Entlebucher Mountain Dogs had to introduce a mandatory gonioscopy for prospective breeding animals. Abnormalities of the iridocorneal angle consist of pectinate ligament abnormalities and/or narrow or closed iridocorneal angles. They may reduce the outflow of aqueous humor into the blood stream and thereby raise the intraocular pressure. As a result, glaucoma may develop and affected dogs often go blind. Using a sample of 126 Entlebucher mountain dogs we observed that only 28 % of the dogs were unaffected by iridocorneal angle abnormalities. Mild, moderate and severe iridocorneal angle abnormalities were observed in 13 %, 38 % and 21 % of the dogs, respectively. Even though Swiss Entlebucher mountain dogs are affected by iridocorneal angle abnormalities, they rarely develop glaucoma (3,2 %). With increasing age, the iridocorneal angle abnormalitites became more severe in some dogs and our advice is to adhere to the selection strategy of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.