Persistent Pupillary Membrance

Betsy O'Shea (boshea@oz.sunflower.org)
Fri, 01 Nov 1996 10:55:33 -0600

I am familiar with PPM because it is a common congenital, inherited eye
defect in the Basenji dog, which I bred and showed for a number of years.
the severity depends on the number of strands present. If they are attached
only to the iris, there is no problem, but if they are also attached to the
lens or cornea, there can be opacity or a problem with accomodation or the
ability to constrict the pupil. If there are no vision problems, it is not a
big deal and some strands can regress with maturity. I would not breed such
an animal however. I believe a slit lamp is needed for diagnosis. I know I
always took my puppies to a veterinary teaching hospital to be examined by a
board certified vet ophthalmologist. I do not know about it in horses, but
understand it is also found in cats.
Betsy O'Shea and Afterglow
Paola, Kansas