Oculocutaneous Albinism, OCA

Affected dogs appear white with pink skin, nose leather, paw pads, and lips, and either blue, pink, or red irises.

Signs are often recognized shortly after birth.

Genetic testing and clinical presentation can be used to diagnose this condition.

There is no medical treatment for this condition; lifestyle changes are recommended to prevent sun exposure.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s OCA result so you can plan appropriate care and monitoring.

Limit sun exposure by providing shade, using pet-safe sunscreen on exposed areas, and avoiding outdoor activity during peak sunlight.

If your dog has vision impairment, keep their environment consistent, guide them with verbal cues, and use a leash in unfamiliar areas for safety.

With proper protection and gentle support, most dogs with OCA can live normal, active lives.

This variant was first identified in Bullmastiff dogs.

Penetrance: OCA is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that affected dogs must have two copies of the variant to show clinical signs from it.

Gene

SLC45A2 Exon 6

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Integument

Citations

1. Caduff et al 2017
2. Brancalion Haase and Wade 2022
3. Wijesena and Schmutz 2015

• Bullmastiff