Description
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an eye condition in which the retina begins to deteriorate, causing visual loss and generally leading to blindness. A form of late-onset progressive retinal deterioration is known to occur in Basenjis. Onset is typically late to very late, with typical onsets between ages 4 and 10. Onsets have been reported between ages 3 and 13.
Basenjis can also have some unusual, but benign, forms of retinal pigmentation that can easily be confused with PRA or retinal degeneration. Both false positives and false negatives are common with Basenji PRA.
It is not currently known if Basenji PRA is one disease or more than one. Mode of inheritance is presently unknown, although most forms of PRA are recessive.
ResearchIf your dog is diagnosed with PRA, blood samples of your dog, his or her parents, any offspring, and any full siblings should be sent to the Canine Phenome Project, our breed’s DNA bank. There are plans to use this DNA for research on PRA, with a goal of identifying the mode of inheritance and the causative gene.
Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) exams by an American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) certified veterinary ophthalmologist include examinations for PRA, as well as the other eye anomalies noted below. CERF exams are recommended annually for breeding stock. Dogs that test normal can receive a certificate.
A CERF exam indicates only the present state of a dog's eyes. Since PRA onsets later in life, a CERF exam cannot predict whether or not a dog will develop PRA in the future. Further, a CERF exam cannot evaluate whether or not the dog will produce PRA.
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