05/14/2026
Annually in May, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) hosts the ACVO Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening event, and BluePearl Pittsburgh Pet Hospital was once again the closest appointment site for our team.
This quick, free, and easy eye screening helps protect the vision of working K9s by allowing for early detection of eye changes and prevention of future issues.
This year, Chance, Bates, and Boomies attended their annual exams and already have their calendars marked for next year.
Chance and Bates both received outstanding reports with perfect vision and no concerns noted. Boomies’ exam, however, showed progression from last year’s findings. In addition to the cataract previously identified in her left eye, specialists found a cataract developing in the center of her other eye as well as a cyst. While Boomies is not currently experiencing any vision issues and continues to actively work as a search and rescue K9 without limitations, the cyst could potentially lead to Golden Retriever Pigmentary Uveitis (GRPU), a hereditary condition that can contribute to glaucoma or vision loss later in life.
Thankfully, she remains happy, healthy, and thriving, and the ophthalmologists strongly recommend continuing with yearly monitoring to best support her long-term vision health.
We cannot thank the ACVO enough for providing such an essential service that is often overlooked and for extending this opportunity to SAR K9s and other working dogs.
