Description
How do I know if my dog carries the mutation for PRA-prcd?
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd) is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease. Degeneration of both rod and cone photoreceptor cells of the retina of PRA-prcd affected dogs usually occurs at 3 to 5 years of age or later. Affected dogs initially experience night blindness and loss of peripheral vision. As the disease progresses, complete blindness occurs over time. Different breeds and individual dogs may experience variation in the age and rate of disease progression.
Breeds that may be affected by the PRA-prcd
American Eskimo Dog, Aussiedoodle, Austalian Cobberdog, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Labradoodle, Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Bernedoodle, Bolognese, Boykin Spaniel,Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Chinese Crested, Cockapoo, English Cocker Spaniel, English Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Goldendoodle, Golden Retriever, Karelian Bear Dog, Kuvasz, Labradoodle, Labrador Retriever, Maltipoo, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Miniature Poodle, Norwegian Elkhound, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Pyrenean Shepherd, Schipperke, Sheepadoodle, Silky Terrier, Snoodle, Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Yorkipoo, Yorkshire Terrier
Understanding Results
There are 3 possible genotypes reported for PRA-prcd
- CLEAR: those having 2 copies of the normal allele and appear to be normal
- CARRIER: those having 1 copy of the normal allele and 1 copy of the mutation, but appear to be normal
- AFFECTED: those having 2 copies of the mutation will develop blindness over time
Although carriers do not show clinical signs of the disease, it is important to note that if used for breeding, carriers are likely to pass on the mutation 50% of the time. Therefore, a carrier (x) carrier mating is likely to result in producing affected pups in about 25% of the offspring.
Results are based upon the specific prcd c.5G>A mutation. There are multiple types of PRA caused by other gene mutations. Clear results for PRA-prcd only pertain to the prcd c.5G>A mutation tested. It will not detect if a dog has any other form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
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