Hi Guys,

I have just had Fynn to the vets for a small infection in his eyes and while I was there he mentioned that the cartlidge in his left eye is bent and could cause him some problems! He has had this problem since he was about 4 months old and I was told by another Vet at the same practice that it was more cosmetic and was nothing to worry about.
The vet I spoke to today has said that an opperation would be the best way forward

I was just wondering if anyone has had this problem and what the pros and cons would be?

He also said he was overweight and that he had stopped growing but I was under the impression he still had a few months of growing left as he just turned 1 last week?

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Rowan

Durham UK

To tackle your eye question first, I highly recommend you go see an eye specialist to have this checked out. You should get him a CERF examination (every responsible breeder requires this and the BMDCA recommends all breeders do this).

Check out CERF - Canine Eye Registration Foundation to find a clinic and specialist near you. I do CERF exams on my dogs every other year. A regular vet does not have the expertise, training, or equipment to deal with this and hence why the CERF exam is done.

But to answer your other question about growth, if your boy has just turned 1 year then his long bones are likely done, or very close to done. I have never seen a Berner take more than 15 months for long bone growth and growth plates to close (this is the limbs).

Overall growth however is no where close to done. Berners continue to fill out for a few more years. The chest should drop, grow deeper, and wider for example (some dogs who do not meet the breed standard at all may not have enough bone/substance and not appear to fill out - but these are gross exceptions and far from the breed standard).

Thanks for that information but we live in the UK so I will have to do some further digging to find something closer to home.

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Rowan

Durham UK

I think this is also referred to as cherry eye. A friends Dane had this and they left it for while on advice but he did eventually need an operation.

I believe here in the UK it is not one of the tests called for. I expect the BMDCofGB would like to see it tested for as many other things but as far as I am aware it is only hip and elbow scoring that breeders have to have their dogs tested for in the UK. Responsible breeders anyway and those that have their dogs registerred with the KC and are members of the BMDC.

Good luck Rowan keep us posted.