Genetic Test
HSF4 (Heat Shock Transcription Factor 4) is a protein that regulates DNA activity and plays a critical role in lens development and maintenance.
Mutations in this gene have been identified as a major cause of hereditary cataracts in various mammals, including dogs, humans, and mice.
This test targets a specific genetic mutation associated with inherited cataracts in dogs, a condition characterized by the progressive clouding of the lens, potentially leading to vision impairment or blindness.
Disease Description
The structure of the eye is similar to that of a camera. Just as a camera lens focuses light onto film, the lens inside the eye focuses light onto the retina. Cataracts occur when this normally transparent lens becomes cloudy.
This cloudiness interferes with vision and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Cataracts are a serious condition that require close monitoring.
The most common cause of cataracts in dogs is genetic. Hereditary cataracts are among the most frequently observed eye disorders in purebred dogs, with more than 100 breeds reported to be affected.
The clinical presentation of cataracts can vary greatly depending on the breed. Differences have been noted in the external appearance of the eye, the location of the opacity within the lens, whether one or both eyes are affected, the age of onset, and the rate at which the condition progresses.
