Message Number: SG2178 | New FHL Archives Search
From: williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2002-11-09 01:57:51 UTC
Subject: RE: Retinal Atrophy Question
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <31199811.1036807071055.JavaMail.root@scandium>

> With Retinal Atrophy, do the pupils react to light??
> If it would be helpful, a photo of the "glow" can be seen here....
> http://www.animalsoup.net/ferrets/pix/big_buttsmell2.jpg
> Again, this can be seen even in dim lighting. It is not something caused simply by the flash of the camera or other bright lighting.
> As a side note, Big was just diagnosed as Adrenal (Adrenal Panel) and will be going to surgery next week. Though I doubt this is related to his eye problem....or could it be?

Dear Karen:

Only in advanced retinal atrophy, when the retina is pretty well destroyed, would the pupils not react to light

The green reflection is really not an indication of retinal atrophy - but more evidence of the pigmentation of the retina, which is not affected in this disease. Color diluted or albino animals, which have defective pigmentation generally have a pink glow, as their retinas have very little melanin.

It has nothing to do with his adrenal problem - just a coincidence.

With kindest regards,

Bruce Williams, DVM