19 February 2010

There are two ways to check for PRA in ACD's one is to have a dog's eyes checked by a knowledgeable Vet looking specifically for PRA.  This is not a full-proof test and there is at least one known dog that was diagnosis this way with PRA, but later testing gave serious doubt to the credibility of the vets' diagnosis.

The second and most reliable test for PRA is a DNA blood test that will tell you if your dog is normal (does not carry the gene), a carrier (carries the gene, but will not develop PRA over it's lifetime), or an affected (means carries the disease and will develop blindness over it's lifetime).  Please see PRA Theory for a more through understanding of the DNA testing.

The ACDSGB was the first club worldwide to disclose all results of the DNA testing of any dog located in the UK.  These results are on this website in order to ensure full disclosure of the status of the disease and to comply with the Strong Stance that the Committee has taken to eradicating this genetic default in the ACD.
 

Angela Recently had her crew CERF tested Results are:

Du Vieux Poirier's Blue Tobias, born '96, pattern B - GPRA clear, a small lesion on one eye "probably of traumatic origin.", ie. a legacy of his attempt to poke his eye out with a stick a couple of years ago.

Warrigal Blue Maccalla, born '00, pattern C- GPRA clear.

Ironbark Can It Be True, born '02, pattern C- GPRA clear. Unsurprisingly, as she is only 10 months "her retina's look great."

Remember that a PRA DNA test is only the beginning and dogs should still have yearly CERF tests to ensure eye health.