Dog hereditary diseases

Description
An inherited disorder characterized by multiple retinal abnormalities resulting in blindness in dogs.

Normally, retinal cells play a key role in the perception of light stimulus received from the external environment, and its transmission to the brain through the optic nerve. The retina contains photoreceptor cells - rods and cones - that help a dog see in the dark (rods) and recognize colors (cones). Progressive retinal atrophy can be accompanied by two events: dysplasia and retinal cell degeneration. With dysplasia, the development of photoreceptor cells is disrupted in the first few weeks after birth. During degeneration, the already formed photoreceptor cells gradually cease to function and die. The sticks that allow you to see at low light levels, the former cease to function normally. This leads to night blindness. Then the cones also begin to gradually degrade. Thus, most affected dogs gradually lose their sight and go blind. As a rule, clinical symptoms of visual impairment become noticeable at the age of 1-5 years, depending on the breed and individual characteristics of the dog.

Diagnostics
Diagnostics of progressive retinal atrophy. Affected dogs have no obvious external eye changes. You may notice that the dog has difficulty navigating in the dark (earlier stages) or subsequently in the light (later stages). If you suspect your dog is visually impaired, contact your veterinary ophthalmologist for a diagnosis.

Since the disease is of a genetic nature, for the diagnosis of sick dogs, as well as genetic carriage, a DNA test was developed that is available for different breeds of dogs and different forms of progressive retinal atrophy. The advantage of genetic testing is the ability to identify dogs whose vision is intact, but which are carriers of the disease (heterozygotes), and therefore can transmit the defect to their offspring. The DNA test is based on the application of the latest molecular genetic knowledge and technology. It allows with 100% certainty to distinguish a healthy dog from clinically normal dogs that are carriers and from sick dogs, including those that have not yet shown symptoms of disorders. Testing can be done at any age, both for puppies and adult dogs.