Breeds Prone to PRA
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a group of inherited eye diseases that cause gradual deterioration of the retina, eventually leading to blindness. It affects many dog and cat breeds and typically progresses slowly over months to years.
Symptoms
Night blindness (difficulty seeing in dim light) is usually the first sign, followed by gradually worsening vision, bumping into objects, dilated pupils, and a reflective sheen to the eyes. Most affected animals eventually become completely blind.
Prevention & Management
DNA testing can identify carriers before breeding. No treatment exists to halt progression, but affected pets adapt well to blindness in familiar environments. Choose breeders who perform genetic testing for PRA.
19 Breeds Prone to PRA
10 dog breeds and 9 cat breeds
Abyssinian
Cat · Medium · Ethiopia/Egypt
Health risks: Renal Amyloidosis, PRA, Gingivitis
American Eskimo Dog
Dog · Small-Medium · United States/Germany
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, PRA, Legg-Calve-Perthes
Australian Kelpie
Dog · Medium · Australia
Health risks: PRA, Cerebellar Abiotrophy, Luxating Patella
Bengal
Cat · Medium-Large · United States
Health risks: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, PRA, Patellar Luxation, Flat-chested Kitten Syndrome
Berger Picard
Dog · Medium-Large · France
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, PRA
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Dog · Small-Medium · Wales
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy, PRA, Intervertebral Disc Disease
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, PRA, Bloat, Eye Conditions
Colorpoint Shorthair
Cat · Medium · United States/UK
Health risks: Amyloidosis, Asthma, PRA
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Dog · Medium · Switzerland
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, PRA, Heart Disease, Ectopic Ureter
Finnish Lapphund
Dog · Medium · Finland
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, PRA
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Dog · Small-Medium · Ireland
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, PRA, Heart Disease
Javanese
Cat · Medium · United States
Health risks: Amyloidosis, Asthma, Heart Defects, PRA
Ocicat
Cat · Medium-Large · United States
Health risks: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Renal Amyloidosis, PRA
Oriental Shorthair
Cat · Medium · Thailand/UK
Health risks: Amyloidosis, Asthma, Heart Defects, PRA
Singapura
Cat · Small · Singapore
Health risks: PKD, PRA, Uterine Inertia
Sloughi
Dog · Large · North Africa
Health risks: PRA, Generally healthy
Somali
Cat · Medium · United States (from Abyssinian)
Health risks: Renal Amyloidosis, PRA, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Thai
Cat · Medium · Thailand
Health risks: Amyloidosis, PRA, Generally healthy
Tibetan Spaniel
Dog · Small · Tibet
Health risks: Eye Conditions, Luxating Patella, Liver Shunt, PRA