Retinal Dysplasia with Osteoskeletal Dysplasia (OSD1) is a genetic disease that affects collagen in Labrador Retrievers. It manifests itself as dwarfism with short limbs, especially the front legs, as well as ocular abnormalities such as retinal detachment and cataracts.
Affected dogs show signs as early as 4 to 6 weeks of age, with shortened and deformed front legs, a sometimes bulging skull and slightly squinty eyes. Eye lesions include retinal detachment and cataracts, while bone growth plates are poorly organised.
The disease is caused by a mutation that prevents the correct production of collagen, affecting the eyes more severely than the bones. Carriers of the mutation generally do not have bone problems, but may have mild eye damage.
