Greyhound Eye Disease – Pannus
Pannus is a disorder that affects the eye of the greyhound, and will eventually lead to blindness if it’s not managed.
It is not painful in its early stages, causes no discharge from the eye, and may be hard to see unless you look closely at your greyhound’s eyes in a good light. If it is not diagnosed or treated, the disease will slowly cover the clear part of the eye (the ‘cornea’) until the dog can no longer see.
Pannus is seen most commonly in German Shepherd’s, but is also found in Collies, Poodles, Dachshunds and Greyhounds. There is thought to be a significant genetic inheritance, with certain families and lines within a breed more severely affected, but environmental factors also play a part in the development of the disease.
What does it look like?
Pannus symptoms generally start to appear when the dog reaches 2-5 years of age. In the beginning you may only notice that the edge of the cornea seems more pigmented (coloured) than before – kind of like ‘freckles’ developing near the edge of the eye – or there may be a hazy/greyish colour to the edge of the clear part of the eye. Generally the disease will occur in both eyes, starting at about the same time, but the lesions do not necessarily look the same.
As the disease progresses, Pannus lesions may simply look like brown pigment ‘growing’ onto the surface of the eye, or it may appear more inflamed with a ‘greyish-pink’ colour (which is the eye’s version of scar tissue). If you look closely, you might even see small blood vessels growing onto the eye surface. The colour change to the clear part of the eye starts at the outside edges and spreads inwards until the entire eye surface is covered, leaving no clear window for light to enter the eye – making the dog blind.
What causes it?
Pannus is thought to be an auto-immune disease. This means the body actually starts to attack itself. The genetic predisposition to develop pannus is inherited – so it tends to affect certain breeds and certain families within these breeds more than others.
The other factor thought to contribute to pannus is exposure to Ultra-Violet (UV) light. This exposure to UV light is thought to trigger the start of the reaction, or to make the reaction worse, so it is important to keep affected dogs out of bright light, especially in the summer months when the UV level is high. Even if exposure to UV light is not the cause of the disease, the rate of progression increases with exposure to high levels of UV light (from sun light, or reflected light from water).
Can it be treated?
Once the disease has started, there is no ‘cure’ that completely eliminates pannus. All treatments are directed at slowing the progression of the pigmented lesions and to prevent flare-ups. The most commonly used treatment is cortisone eye drops, which are administered daily. The cortisone slows the immune reaction that causes the pigment, and hence slows the progression of the disease. Cortisone may also be combined with cyclosporine drops which also help control the symptoms.
What should I do if I suspect one of my greyhounds may be affected by pannus?
The first thing to do is to consult your veterinarian. They will be able to do an eye examination, and discuss the disease with you. They can also refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist (eye specialist for dogs) who can give more specific advice and recommend treatments for more severe cases. Getting to the disease early gives the best chance of treatment, so don’t hesitate – take the greyhound to the vet for a check up.
Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.

Bellatrix


Xinji ARP
Xinji (pronounced Shin-jee) is a lovely young girl who has a world of love to give you. She can be a bit of a worrier and can be shy when she first meets you, but with a little bit of time and patience, we know she will blossom into a wonderful companion. She walks well on the lead and will be looking for a quiet household to settle into. She may be happy living with or without another canine companion of any size, though she would prefer having access to a backyard. She may also suit full time workers and living with children aged in their teens.

Hermione


Jett


Coco ARP

Meet the lovely big boy, Coco. Even though he is big, he is a very polite, gentle, sensible boy who is affectionate and loves a pat and wants to please his person. If you love taking long drives in your car, well Coco will be your sidekick for the ride, as he loves to travel in the car and would spend all day in there if you’d let him. Coco may suit living with or without a medium or large canine pal and children aged 10 years and older.

Sally ARP


Sweet, happy, affectionate and super friendly are all things that make up Sally! She is a happy-go-lucky pup that just LOVES people. She has experience in a home and loves her treats. We think she may suit living with or without another male dog of any size and children 5 and over.

Rose ARP


Meet Rose, a 5-year-old lady with a heart of gold. Formerly known as Lady Rosina Hook on the racetrack, she's traded in her racing shoes for a life of leisure and love. This sweet and friendly girl is a people person, thriving on attention and interaction. Though she can be cautious and anxious at times, Rose is always willing to try, making her a lovable companion. With her personable nature, she'll charm her way into your heart. And with her great social skills, Rose gets along swimmingly with dogs of all sizes - she's a true lady! She may do best in a home with older children aged 10 years+.

Freddie ARP

Meet Freddie, a sleek black 4 year old boy. His race name is "Transponder" but let's call him "Signal Strong" because he's always transmitting love and affection to those around him. This friendly and outgoing guy is always on the same wavelength as his humans, craving attention and connection. With a puppyish playfulness and a dash of submissiveness, Freddie is a team player who'll fit right in with any pack. Tune in to Freddie's frequency and discover a loyal companion who'll be by your side through thick and thin! Freddie may suit living with or without a canine companion of similar size and children aged as young as 5 years old.

Stumpy ARP


Meet Stumpy, the adorable 21-month-old greyhound who's as sweet as can be! This little gem was born without a tail, making her one-of-a-kind. With her youthful energy and puppy-like charm, Stumpy is a bundle of joy. Despite being tiny in size, her personality is larger than life - friendly, personable, and always eager to please. Stumpy can get a bit anxious, but she's always willing to try, making her a lovable companion. Get ready for a lifetime of snuggles and smiles with this pretty little greyhound! Stumpy may suit living with or without a canine friend of any size and children aged 10 years and older.