{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Multiple congenital ocular anomalies in three related litters of Jack Russell Terrier puppies.
{Author}: Barsotti G;Abramo F;Nuti M;Novelli A;Puccinelli C;Cecchi F;
{Journal}: Vet Ophthalmol
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 May 3
{Factor}: 1.444
{DOI}: 10.1111/vop.13221
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To describe multiple congenital ocular anomalies in three litters of Jack Russell Terrier puppies.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Seven purebred Jack Russell Terrier puppies from three related litters and their four parents.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Medical records of the puppies and their parents were evaluated. All dogs underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, followed by bilateral ocular ultrasonography in two of the puppies with complete corneal opacity. One eye from an affected puppy was subjected to histopathology. A complete database of pedigrees was built, and individual inbreeding was evaluated.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The most commonly diagnosed ocular anomalies in the puppies were: various anomalies of the fundus (12/14 eyes); microphthalmia (10/14 eyes); sclerocornea (8/14 eyes); and persistent pupillary membranes (7/14 eyes). Six out of seven puppies had at least two ocular abnormalities, and only one puppy was normal. Four out of seven puppies had sclerocornea, a particular corneal opacity to date described only in Spanish Podenco dogs. No ocular abnormalities were found in the parents examined (4/4). Analysis of the pedigrees showed that all the puppies and two parents were inbred, and the individual values of the inbreeding puppies were greater than 6.25% in two litters.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Inbreeding with closely related Jack Russell Terriers may result in severe congenital eye abnormalities in puppies.