EYES

The Keeshond Club and the North of England Keeshond Club both recommend that all Keesies are eye tested at some point and so that we can take a snapshot into the health of Keesie eyes to determine whether or not there are possible causes for concern or emerging conditions - such as Juvenile Cataracts or late onset PRA; they have agreed to hold a subsidised KC/BVA Eye Testing Session for ALL Keesies at their Championship shows which due to the continued lockdowns will now be held in 2022.

All Keeshonds from bouncy puppies to Golden Oldies are encouraged to participate; it doesn’t matter if it’s a much-loved companion or a glamorous show dog. You are all welcome and don’t have to enter the show – just come along.

There are many types of eye disease, both congenital (conditions that exist from birth or soon after birth) and non-congenital (conditions that develop later in life), that affect dogs. Many of these conditions can have serious effects on health and welfare, causing pain, blindness, or the need for lifelong medication and should be taken into consideration when breeding dogs.

Older dogs eyes in particular should be examined regularly for a number of reasons: as several inherited eye problems may only be detected later in life, to identify age-related eye diseases and more importantly, to collect data which might either mitigate or identify problems which may arise in later life (longitudinal information).

The cost for Keeshonds will be just £21 per dog and £13 for a Golden Oldie (aged 8 & over) thanks to a generous subsidy from the Keeshond Health Matters Fund. Any other breed of dog may come for testing at a cost of £43 per dog.
Standard BVA charges for a routine eye examination are: 1st dog £60, with extra dogs in same ownership £54; Group testing (25 or more) £43 and dogs over 8 years £34 – so you can see what a bargain offer this is!!

The procedure initially involves applying eye drops, which dilate the pupils and then a wait of approximately 20 minutes before your dogs are examined with an ophthalmoscope in a darkened room, which is a private consultation. Because of the eye drops, it would be sensible (if showing) to have your bitches done during the dog judging and dogs during the bitch judging. Please bring your dog’s Kennel Club registration certificate, as there will be a form to fill out for each dog beforehand and microchips will also be checked. Further information can be found www.bva.co.uk

Keeshond Club, Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh CV8 2LZ
April 2022

North of England Keeshond Club,
November 2022

To book your dogs for testing at this ‘one off bargain’ price or for further information, please email: health@keeshondhealthmatters.co.uk to give us an idea of numbers attending.