WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY?
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is the name for a group of diseases that cause degeneration of the retina. This includes inherited abnormalities of the light-sensitive cells (photoreceptor dysplasia) and degenerations that have similar signs. The inherited photoreceptor dysplasias in which signs develop in the first year occur in Irish Setters, Collies, Norwegian Elkhounds, Miniature Schnauzers, and Belgian Sheepdogs. The inherited photoreceptor degenerations in which signs develop at 3 to 5 years occur in Miniature and Toy Poodles, English and American Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Tibetan Terriers, Tibetan Spaniels, Papillons, English Springer Spaniels, Miniature Longhaired Dachshunds, Akitas, and Samoyeds. PRA is also inherited in Siberian Huskies and Bull Mastiffs. Many other breeds of dogs are also suspected of having inherited PRA.
The first sign of PRA is usually night blindness. This progresses to total blindness over a period ranging from months to years. Cataracts are common late in the course of progressive retinal atrophy in many breeds and may mask the underlying disease of the retina. Your veterinarian will examine the back of the eye to look for retinal changes consistent with progressive retinal atrophy. The condition can be confirmed using a specialized test that measures the electrical responses of the eye (electroretinography). No effective treatment is available, although DNA tests have been developed to detect carrier and affected dogs before signs develop in many breeds.
PRA specifically is a non-painful loss of vision that occurs over a period of time. Loss of vision can take 1 to 2 years to be complete.
TIMING:
An ophthalmologist can first see signs of this disease by 8 weeks of age.
Note: Because of this, it is recommended that any Pomsky with American Eskimo Dog genetics undergo both this specific genetic test at birth (mouth swab), or as soon as possible, as well as have the Eye Examination completed as early as possible once eyes are open to catch any indication of PRA being present. THERE IS NO AGE LIMIT for either the genetic test or the physical exam. Both are recommended by the OFA for American Eskimo Dog.
EXAMINATION SPECIFICS:
While the previous tests are all physical, PRA is a “DNA based prcd-PRA test from an approved lab”.
We obtain the results of this specific genic test through the Embark Vet genetic tests that we do on all of our dogs. Puppies can be swabbed for genetic tests as soon as they are born, with results typically available within a few weeks.
CERTIFICATION SPECIFICS:
Once genetic test results are received from an approved lab (including Embark Vet), the OFA Application for DNA Based Genetic Disease can be obtained.
All quotations and links taken from:
OFA Website: American Eskimo Dog
OFA Website: All DNA Tests
Embark Vet Website: Progressive Retinal Atrophy
