Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd4/cord1

RPGRIP1

Eyes

This eye condition causes gradual degeneration of the retina. Affected dogs typically lose day vision first, followed by progressive vision loss over time.

Signs and symptoms

PRA is a subtle disease and dogs adapt very well to the slow loss of vision. You may notice that your dog is reluctant to go down the stairs, bumps into door frames or corners, or takes a longer time to fetch a toy.

The earliest ophthalmic signs are typically present by 6 months of age. There is a wide range in the age of when dogs become clinically affected, although the average age is approximately 5 years. Dogs as young as 6 months may be blind, while dogs as old as 10 may still have vision.

Diagnosis

Treatment

What to do if your dog is at risk

Talk to your vet about your dog’s PRA result so you can work together to plan their ongoing care and monitoring.

Schedule regular eye exams with your vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist to monitor for changes or complications such as cataracts.

If your dog’s vision changes, help them adjust by keeping furniture and routines consistent, using verbal cues, and keeping them on a leash in unfamiliar areas.

Products such as protective halos can also help dogs navigate safely if their vision declines.

Genetic information

This mutation was first described in the Miniature Longhaired Dachshund.

Penetrance: This mutation is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that dogs must have two copies of the mutation to be affected. However, there are other genetic and/or environmental factors that affect the development of this disease as there is a wide range of onset of clinical signs.

Gene: RPGRIP1 (Exon 2)
Inheritance type: recessive
Clinical category: Ophthalmologic