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Degenerative eye diseases (PHTVL/PHPV)
Impaired vision up to full loss of the sight is the result of genetic conditioned degeneration of the eye and occurs in several breeds with different frequently.
According to Willis (1994) the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Basenji and the Doberman are affected most strongly by PHTVL/PHPV. This is a disorder of a fetal development of the eye that results in large and small spots and turbidity on the eye; the spots are caused by the persistent (that would normally disappear) embryonic membranes and blood vessels. It is assumed to be an autosomal incompletely dominant heredity (Schüler 1997) and a high heritability should be expected. The abbreviations mean: PHTVL persistent hyperplastic Tunica vascularis lentis, PHPV persistent hyper-plastic primary Vitreum.
While this disease is presently very rare in the American Doberman, it can be expected to increase with the arrival of European imports unless vigilance is practiced. Dogs with consequence of the incomplete dominant heredity; Dogs with mild degrees of this defect can produce blind whelps.
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