Aspectos eletrorretinográficos em um cão da raça Pit Bull

Abstract

Electroretinogram (ERG) is a non-invasive electrophysiologic test widely used
in both human and veterinary ophthalmology to evaluate retinal function. Case report: due
to recent cases of severe visual impairment in Pit Bull dogs in our clinic, we decided to
evaluate the retinal function by full-field ERG in a 5-month-old male Pit Bull dog whose
owner have noticed visual impairment since 40 days of age. Under general anesthesia,
the dog was submitted to full-field ERG testing, according to ISCEV (International Society
for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision) standard protocol. ERG recordings were obtained
in one eye after 30 minutes of dark adaptation from a fully dilated pupil, using a monopolar
contact lens electrode. Non-detectable scotopic and photopic responses were found,
confirming the devastating effect of the retinal degeneration. Conclusion: ERG was able
to quantify the severity of retinal degeneration on retinal function. We believe that
heredogram study of these animals may be helpful to better understand this new retinal
condition affecting Pit Bull dogs.