Searching for Genetic Mutations for Prevalent Eye Disease in Cairn Terriers

Ocular melanosis is a painful, inherited eye disease that causes glaucoma and blindness in affected dogs. Cairn terriers have a high risk of developing this condition. Researchers will conduct an in-depth investigation of gene expression levels to locate causal DNA variants associated with the disease in Cairn terriers. Identification of the causal DNA variation is a critical first step toward the development of a genetic screening test to help eradicate ocular melanosis from the Cairn terrier breeding population. Other high-risk breeds that may benefit from this work include boxers and Labrador retrievers.