PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)in dogs is an inherited eye condition that causes blindness.  It is a disease of the retina which occurs in both eyes simultaneously.  At this time there is not a cure. Many breeds suffer from different forms of PRA. They have found some genetic markers for various breeds.  But to date, the Cord1 PRA is the only one identified so far for Dachshunds.

 

Cream pups began appearing in England in the 1980's. Cream is actually a dilute of red. They were quite popular. Some breeders wanting to have cream pups & maintain the cream color were inbreeding their lines so closely that PRA began to appear.  PRA probably originated from the Cocker Spaniels when the smooth Dachshunds were bred to them to create the Long Hair Dachshunds. (Info from a fellow Doxie breeder in England)

 

Although, the Cord 1 PRA seems to be linked with the English Cream lines, it is not limited to the color cream or long hair line.   And there may be other forms of PRA that can be in other colors or hair types.

 

The DNA test for Cord1 PRA is now available & can help breeders to breed wisely.  We must selectively breed so we do not produce Affected dogs.  Although dogs may test Affected for the Cord1 PRA, there is not enough data to determine if they will go blind or at what age.  They are just at risk for developing the disease.  This test should be used as a tool to breed strategically.

 

I have chosen to test all my dogs & I am following guidelines so that we will never knowingly produce a pup with Cord1 PRA. 

 

I am not just a breeder of Dachshunds, but someone that loves Dachshunds & loves my Doxie Babies!

 

 

 

 

The genetic markers for Cord1 PRA in Dachshunds have been identified by the Animal Health Trust in the UK.

Here's the UK links-

http://www.aht.org.uk/genetics_dachpra.html

 

 

 

The Univ of MO is doing the DNA testing in the US.  They worked hand & hand with the Animal Health Trust in the UK.

It is a cheek swab that is rubbed on a card & sealed in a plastic bag to preserve the DNA.  The test is only $40.

Here's their info

http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/PRA/mainPRA.htm

The Univ of MO does the swab testing for $40. They just developed a new swab test in April/May 2008 & is now available. They will send them a kit. The new swab is placed on a card that has a chemical to preserve the DNA. They send instructions with the swab. Liz handles the PRA for the Univ & everything goes through her.

When you email her put PRA DNA swab kit in the subject line. Remember to tell the # you are requesting & don't forget your address.

Liz Hansen
Animal Molecular Genetics Laboratory
University of Missouri - College of Veterinary Medicine
321 Connaway Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
573-884-3712
HansenL@missouri.edu

 

 

Here's another study being done.  Although the markers have been found, they are looking for additional markers that could be affecting the sight.  I sent in my boy's DNA in hopes they could give me more info.  I have yet to send in the blood sample. They could run more tests with the blood sample.  This doctor was also testing wire hairs to find another type of PRA.  A wire hair breeder had dogs that were blind & submitted their samples for study too. 

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy Study!

Study is being done at Michigan State University! They are looking for the genetic marker(s) for PRA so that a genetic test for it can be available!

They want 7ml of blood. Also, any info on PRA in the dogs background, a pedigree, and current CERF results if you have them.

Click the link for more info...
http://www.eridox.com/studies/pra.php

Application- http://www.eridox.com/studies/PRA-Information.pdf
Instructions- http://www.eridox.com/studies/PRA-Instructions.pdf

Here are breeding strategies, so you can breed responsibly & never produce affected pups from the Optigen site.

http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_prcdprabs.html