Autosomal Dominant Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs

Category: Eye
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 5

Overview

Light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye gradually stop working and are lost. This form of progressive retinal atrophy is linked to a change in the RHO gene, first identified in English Mastiffs. Just one copy of the altered gene can cause disease. Night vision is often affected before daytime sight, and vision can continue to decline over time.

Signs to watch for

Hesitating to enter dark rooms or go outside at night
Bumping into doorways or unfamiliar obstacles
Reluctance to go down stairs
Pupils that look unusually large

Testing has detected retinal changes by 12 to 18 months; visible signs can vary.

When to get help Book a vet visit if your dog starts struggling to see in dim light.

Diagnosis and tests

A vet examines the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. A veterinary eye specialist may use electroretinography, which measures the retina's electrical response to light. A DNA test is available for this variant. The genetic change associated with this dominant form is in RHO.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Giant

MastiffGiant · Working Group

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.