Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd in Dogs

Category: Eye
Breeds documented: 32
Published sources: 9

Overview

Light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye gradually stop working in progressive rod-cone degeneration, or prcd. It is an inherited form of progressive retinal atrophy. The cells used for dim-light vision are affected first, so night vision usually declines before daytime sight. The disease is not painful and commonly progresses to blindness, although the timing varies between dogs.

Signs to watch for

Hesitating to enter dark rooms or go outside at night
Bumping into doorways or objects in unfamiliar places
Hesitating on stairs
Pupils looking unusually wide
Eyes looking more reflective when light shines on them

Timing varies; many affected dogs have noticeable vision problems by about 4 years.

When to get help Book a vet examination when night vision or confidence in unfamiliar places changes.

Diagnosis and tests

The vet checks the retinas, the layers inside the backs of the eyes that detect light. A veterinary eye specialist may use an electrical test to measure how well these layers work. A DNA test can identify the prcd variant and help assess inherited risk or carrier status. A result that is clear for prcd does not rule out other genetic forms of progressive retinal atrophy.

Breeds with documented risk

32 breeds

By breed size

6 Toy
4 Small
16 Medium
6 Large

All 32 breeds, A to Z

American Eskimo Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Australian Cattle Dog Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Australian Shepherd Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Barbet Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Biewer Terrier Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Chihuahua Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Chinese Crested Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Cocker Spaniel Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Coton De Tulear Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

English Cocker Spaniel Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Entlebucher Mountain Dog Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Finnish Lapphund Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Giant Schnauzer Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Golden Retriever Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Kai Ken Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Karelian Bear Dog Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Kuvasz Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Labrador Retriever Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Lapponian Herder Sources journals.plos.org pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Miniature American Shepherd Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Norwegian Elkhound Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Silky Terrier Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Spanish Water Dog Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Swedish Lapphund Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

Yorkshire Terrier Sources pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov omia.org

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.