Larger animal colonies with retinal dystrophy are increasing in importance as models of human conditions, particularly for the testing of therapeutic strategies. Spontaneously occurring retinal dystrophies are recognized in both dogs and chickens. Hereditary disease that leads to vision loss in the dog is also important because this species plays a valuable role in human life, not only as a working and service animal, tasks for which vision is required, but also as a companion animal. In addition to its use as a laboratory model for the study of retinal disease, the chicken is widely used for the study of ametropias.

This chapter will elucidate some practical aspects of canine and chicken ERGs, give examples, and show some of the changes that can be seen in inherited retinal diseases.