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Melbourne Eye Vet  |  Dr Anu O'Reilly and Dr Chloe Hardman  |  Animal Eye Specialists
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • What is a veterinary eye specialist
    • Our vets >
      • Anu O'Reilly
      • Chloe Hardman
      • Hayley Volk
      • Allyson Groth
      • Gemma Turner
      • Liu Yi Lee
    • Our Nursing Team
    • Our Facilities >
      • Virtual Tour of Melbourne EyeVet
    • Locations >
      • Mulgrave (Main)
      • Frankston
      • Mornington
      • Essendon
      • Mill Park
      • Geelong
      • Bendigo
      • Narre Warren North ( Horses)
      • Traralgon
      • Wodonga
      • Ballarat
      • Darwin
    • COVID 19
  • For Pet Owners
    • E-collar help
    • Useful websites and products
    • Hattie's Halo
    • How to give eye drops
    • How to apply ointment
    • Surgery
    • Specialist Anaesthesia
    • Pug Eye Disease
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • For Veterinarians
    • Veterinary Referral
    • Information Resources
    • Veterinary Students
    • Eye Conditions >
      • Canine >
        • Blephartitis
        • Cataracts >
          • Cataract Post Op Care
          • Cataract Post Op Video
        • Cherry Eye
        • Chorioretinitis
        • Conjunctivitis-Dog
        • Corneal endothelial degeneration
        • Corneal laceration and Iris Prolapse
        • Corneal lipidosis
        • Deep and infected ulcers
        • Distichia
        • Dry eye
        • Ectopic Cilia
        • Entropion-Dog
        • Eyelid Tumour
        • Glaucoma-Dog
        • Glaucoma Shunt
        • Horner's Syndrome
        • Iris Cyst
        • Intraocular Silicon Prosthesis
        • Living with a blind pet
        • Anterior Lens Luxation
        • Posterior lens Luxation
        • Pannus
        • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
        • Retrobulbar Disease
        • SARDS - SUDDEN ACQUIRED RETINAL DEGENERATION SYNDROME
        • Sudden Vision Loss
        • Superficial ulcer
        • Uveitis
      • Feline >
        • Conjunctivitis-Cat
        • Corneal Sequestrum
        • Entropion-Cat
        • Feline Herpes - Viral Keratitis
        • Glaucoma-Cat
        • Hypertension
        • Anterior lens Luxation
      • Equine >
        • Glaucoma
        • Corneal Ulcers
        • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
        • Uveitis
      • Exotics
  • Breeders
    • Breed Eye Certification
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progressive retinal atrophy (pra)

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
 
What is PRA
PRA is a degenerative, hereditary disease of the retina that affects the vision of many purebred dogs. 
 
Clinical signs of PRA
Dogs with PRA initially show night blindness, lack of confidence in dim lighting and seek out lights. Gradually with time, day vision also becomes affected.  As the disease progresses, cataracts form and these can lead to complications like cataract induced uveitis, glaucoma and lens luxation.
 
Breeds that develop PRA
Golden Retriever, Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Labrador Retriever, Australian Cattle Dog, English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Dachshund and Papillon.
 
Treatment for PRA
There is no actual treatment to reverse the process of the retina degenerating, however, Ocuglo may help some patients to slow the rate of progression.
 
Treatment of cataracts
Since the retina is degenerating cataract surgery is not usually performed in patients with advanced PRA.  Some individuals with early PRA have rapidly developing cataracts whilst still having some reserve retinal function.  These patients may benefit from cataract surgery for a period of time.
 
Cataract induced uveitis or inflammation in the eye must be treated with topical anti-inflammatory drugs.  This treatment slows downs the progression of complications associated with the cataract.
 
Always watch the whites of the eye for redness.  This may be the early stages of cataract-induced uveitis.
 
Genetics
Many forms of PRA are autosomal recessive.  This means both parents have passed on a faulty gene to their offspring. Many breeds of dogs can now be tested to see if they carry the gene for PRA.  Typically a cheek swab is taken and sent off to a laboratory.  Further information can be ascertained the following web site.
 
Affected dogs should not be bred from and it is important to let your breeder know.
 
AHT – Animal Health Trust www.aht.org.uk
Animal – Genetics http://www.animalgenetics.us
ASAP Laboratories http://www.asaplab.com.au/DNA.html
 
Coping with vision loss
When dogs lose vision gradually, they tend to develop amazing coping mechanisms.  Their sense of smell and hearing can be enormous assets to them.  Let them sniff as much as possible, as this is how they learn to mind map their environment.  Don’t rush them. Try to keep the house furniture in the same positions.  Train them by using voice commands i.e. step up, careful and step down, before they go totally blind.
 
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact 
us on 03
9545 0103.

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