Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs is a common disease in many dog breeds. Its origin is hereditary and tends to start and show symptoms when dogs are already adults. However, sometimes the symptoms appear at a very young age.
This is a degenerative disease and there is no cure. For this reason, it is very important to be attentive to the first symptoms so that the veterinarian delays the total blindness of the dog as much as possible. In this article on our site you can find out the most relevant information about what is progressive retinal atrophy in dogs, its symptoms and treatment
The dog's retina
The retina is the eye organ responsible for capturing and sending the images captured through the optic nerve to the brain. The brain decodes them and gives them an intelligible meaning for us. There are photoreceptors in the retina. They are cells whose function is to capture light, colors and shapes.
Two types are distinguished:
- Cones: these are the cells responsible for daytime vision. They need a lot of light. They distinguish colors from each other. They are responsible for fine vision.
- Rods: These cells require very little light because they are very sensitive. They are responsible for night vision.
You may be interested in reading the following article on How do dogs see? on our site.
What is progressive retinal atrophy in dogs?
Progressive retinal atrophy in dogs is a degenerative disease that affects our pets (mainly dogs and cats). It can also affect many other animals. Depending on the photoreceptors that are affected before, we can contemplate:
- Sticks: Dogs lose their night vision. It's called nyctalopia although we can also hear night blindness in dogs.
- Cones: Dogs lose their daytime vision. It's called hemeralopia.
- Both at once: Dogs lose vision without affecting brightness.
It depends on the canine breed that one or the other receptor is affected; as well as the age at which the symptoms of progressive retinal atrophy, medically called PRA, are triggered. The symptoms appear gradually and progressively.
Since you already know what progressive retinal atrophy in dogs is, we are going to see what its symptoms are below.
Symptoms of PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs
The most common symptoms of progressive retinal atrophy in dogs are as follows:
- Visual Loss: The rods are often the first photoreceptors affected, causing nyctalopia (night blindness in dogs). Subsequently, hemeralopia (day blindness) appears. Dysfunction of one or other photoreceptors varies depending on the race and the type of atrophy. A typical symptom is difficulty seeing moving objects. Complete blindness cannot be predicted; but the younger the dog with symptoms, the faster the disease will progress.
- Dilated Pupils: They do not respond well to light. Dogs have greenish, yellow or orange reflections in their pupils, caused by retinal hyperreflexia (a brightness higher than normal) and mydriasis (dilation of the pupil). To learn more about dilated pupils in dogs: causes and treatment, do not hesitate to consult the post that we recommend.
- Cataracts: they appear due to retinal degeneration. It is a secondary consequence of eye damage. Cataracts are caused by the secretion of substances produced by the damaged retina.
Diagnosis of retinal atrophy in dogs
The diagnosis of the disease must be certified by the veterinarian. It is best to perform annual eye tests in breeds prone to this disease.
The techniques used for the diagnosis of retinal atrophy in dogs are:
- Ophthalmoscopy: observation of the fundus of the eye.
- Electrorrenitography: Using electrodes, the response of the photoreceptors to different types of light is measured. It is the most efficient method of diagnosing APR.
Treatment for progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
PRA or progressive retinal atrophy in dogs has no effective treatmentIt can be slowed down by regular intake of antioxidants and vitamins. However, being a degenerative disease, blindness is irremediable in the end. If cataracts appear, they sometimes have to be surgically intervened, although it is not possible to prevent the continuation of the APR.
The occasions in which this operation is necessary for retinal atrophy in dogs are the following:
- Dislocated lens.
- Uveitis: lens dependent.
- Glaucoma: lens dependent.
The intervention must take place to avoid secondary effects derived from cataracts.
Prevention of progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
The best prevention against PRA or progressive retinal atrophy in dogs is to certify from puppyhood that they do not have this disease. This is achieved by adopting dogs with the ophthalmological certificate free of ocular pathology of their parents In it the absence of APR in the parental lines of can. There are breeds in which this certificate is required for breeding.
People who wish to obtain this certificate must submit their dog to the following tests:
- Electorretinography (ERG).
- Ophthalmoscopy.
- Eye ultrasound.
At the same time, mixed-breed dogs or those with no known parental line should visit their veterinarian at least every 6-12 months to prevent this problem and detect it as soon as possible.
Main dog breeds affected by progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
The main dog breeds most likely to suffer from APR are:
- Akita
- Alaskan malamute
- Basset hound
- Beagle
- Border collie
- Border terrier
- Boxer
- Bull mastiff
- Bull terrier
- Chihuahueño
- Poodle
- Rough collie
- English Cocker Spaniel
- American Cocker Spaniel
- Pug
- Doberman
- Fox terrier
- Great Dane
- Italian Greyhound
- Golden retriever
- Siberian Husky
- Labrador retriever
- M altese
- Belgian shepherd malinois
- German shepherd
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Pekingese
- Pointer
- Pomeranian
- Papillon
- Rottweiler
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Saint Bernard
- Samoyed
- Giant Schnauzer
- Scottish terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Spitz
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Irish Setter
- English Setter
- Gordon Setter
- English Springer Spaniel
- Tibetan Terrier
- Dachshund
