Persistent pupillary membranes (PPM)



  • Yes, many basenjis have small opacities from remnants of PPM strands that once attached to the cornea. It won't effect the dog at all.


  • Is it on the iris or the cornea? Nemo has hazy semi-opaque spots on both of his corneas. It's corneal dystrophy and the harmless form. He had PPM as a puppy too but it isn't the visible kind. There are some other threads on the forum about it.

  • Houston

    I noticed to that Otis has a slight film/spot but only in certain lights, and this morning when I took him to the vet he looked t his eyes and said they looked OK, letting me know that he isn't CERF or anything like that, but as far as he sees Otis eyes are OK. I hoep Buddy;s eyesight isn't in danger, and that he will grow out of it..


  • Thats how I first noticed the PPM - only in certain lights. Best to get these things checked by a specialist.


  • Thanks All!


  • Yup, always good to have a base line eye exam by a specialist. And again, very, very rarely does PPM cause long term problems… just needs to be certainly looked at very carefully when Breeding. My OJ had PPM that even as an adult you could see with the naked eye... one of the reasons that I never bred him... it does run in his pedigree

  • Houston

    I made an appointment for Otis to get his CERF done next thursday..it turned out being very affordable, only $35. Now when I look at his eyes I see nothing, and I have looked him up and down..typical. That doesn't mean anything I know, but I am hopeful


  • @Basenjimamma:

    I made an appointment for Otis to get his CERF done next thursday..it turned out being very affordable, only $35. Now when I look at his eyes I see nothing, and I have looked him up and down..typical. That doesn't mean anything I know, but I am hopeful

    Did you ask if the Ophthalmologist has basenji experience. There is a specific way that the eye exam needs to happen with basenjis. I'm pretty sure that the doctor needs to check the eyes first, then do the drops (wait the specified time) and then re-check the eyes.


  • @renaultf1:

    Did you ask if the Ophthalmologist has basenji experience. There is a specific way that the eye exam needs to happen with basenjis. I'm pretty sure that the doctor needs to check the eyes first, then do the drops (wait the specified time) and then re-check the eyes.

    Yes that's right the eyes are looked at first then drops are put in then they are re-checked again after about 15 mins or so.

  • Houston

    I did tell them that he was a Basenji and they were very aware ofB's so of course Itook that as them knowing, but I will call them back this am and ask more specifically. So they should look at eyes before drops, put drops in wait alotted time and then recheck?


  • @Basenjimamma:

    I did tell them that he was a Basenji and they were very aware ofB's so of course Itook that as them knowing, but I will call them back this am and ask more specifically. So they should look at eyes before drops, put drops in wait alotted time and then recheck?

    yes that's correct:D

  • Houston

    Thanks for the quick response, I will call them as soon as they open this morning. I will let y'all know.

  • Houston

    I just spoke to the eyeclinic and they do what needs to be done as far as B's CERF. Check eyes, drops in , recheck eyes. So now we have to wait until june 25th for Otis' appt. Will keep y'all updated as to how it turns out.


  • @Basenjimamma:

    I just spoke to the eyeclinic and they do what needs to be done as far as B's CERF. Check eyes, drops in , recheck eyes. So now we have to wait until june 25th for Otis' appt. Will keep y'all updated as to how it turns out.

    Good news:D


  • I'm taking Buddy in on Friday. I have used this place called Veterinary Vision for 3 years as my black and white had eye problems that needed checking every 6 months. The lens slipped in the right eye loosing vision and she had to have these very, very expensive eye drops called Xalatan to save the left lens from slipping all the way. The lens becomes loose internally and moves around and the drops keep the pupil small and the pressure low.


  • Xalatan is used for Glaucoma (lowing eye pressure) among other things


  • @tanza:

    Xalatan is used for Glaucoma (lowing eye pressure) among other things

    That's correct. I actually used a brand from COSTCO called Travatan which is a little cheaper, $65 for 4mil that does the same thing. 2 drops/day lasts about 5 weeks. A friend got me the same brand a few times from Mexico for $30, half the cost.

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    The basenji health page on the BCOA site give a very nice general description. http://www.basenji.org/PUBLIC/HealthInfo.htm Since PPM never gets worse and can get better with age, if after the puppy has been examined by a vet opthamologist there is no vision impairment then you won't have to worry about it getting worse.