Cataracts cause great discomfort, impaired vision, and are a major cause of blindness in dogs.
Many breeds of dogs are affected by cataracts. While different types of cataracts can exist in a particular breed, there are some breeds in which specific cataracts are likely to be inherited. This study will focus on the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky and Samoyed breeds, as each of these breeds have characteristic cataracts that differ from others. The goal of Dr. Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan's study is to better understand the method of inheritance of this disease in these breeds and develop a test for identification of the disease. The AKC Canine Health Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and longevity of dogs through scientific research.