Details about the disease
PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) is a condition that causes the parts of the eye that are sensitive to light to break down. PRA produces a gradual loss of vision in both eyes, eventually leading to total blindness. A number of breeds are affected by PRA, and although the clinical effects are usually the same, each breeds version of PRA is often caused by a different genetic mutation. Sadly there is no cure for PRA.
Clinical signs
Vision loss and eventual blindness.
How is it inherited?
The disease is described as an autosomal-recessive condition. This means that a dog must inherit two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father) before its health is affected. A dog that inherits only one copy of the abnormal gene (from its mother or its father) will have no signs of the disease, but will be a carrier and may pass the gene on to any offspring.
Which laboratories test for this condition?
Two lists of laboratories that test for CNGA1-PRA can be found below.
Laboratories that send a copy of your dog's results straight to The Kennel Club, so you don't have to.
| Laboratories | Contact details |
|---|---|
| AHT (UK) | The AHT closed down on 31 July and no longer offers this test. Web: www.aht.org.uk |
| Animal Genetics (UK) | Email:
Animal Genetics
Web: www.animalgenetics.eu |
| Laboklin (UK) | Email:
Laboklin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Web: www.laboklin.co.uk |
| Pet Genetics Lab | Email:
Pet Genetics Lab
Web: www.petgeneticslab.co.uk |
Where will your dog's results be published?
DNA test results from these laboratories are sent directly to The Kennel Club and are recorded on to the dog's record in the registration database, and are published:
- in the next available Breed Records Supplement
- on our Health Test Results Finder
Laboratories that do not send a copy of your dog's results to The Kennel Club. You'll need to do this yourself.
| Laboratories | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Antagene (France) | Email:
Anta gene
Web: www.antagene.com/en |
| Genomia (Czech Republic) | Email:
Genomia Genetic Laboratory
Web: www.genomia.cz |
| Paw Print Genetics (USA) | Email:
Paw Print Genetics
Web: www.pawprintgenetics.com |
| Van Haeringen (Holland) | Email:
Van Haeringen Genetics
Web: www.vhlgenetics.com |
How to submit DNA test results to The Kennel Club
The laboratories listed above do not send your dog's DNA test results to The Kennel Club. To have these results placed on your dog's record please submit them yourself by scanning and emailing them to our health results team.
What we require on the results certificate
Please note that we require at least two forms of identification on the result certificate. These must include the dog's microchip or tattoo number along with either the dog's registered name or registered number. Results without these details cannot be accepted by us.
Where will your dog's results be published once you have submitted them?
DNA test results received by The Kennel Club are recorded on to the dog's record in the registration database, and are published:
- in the next available Breed Records Supplement
- on our Health Test Results Finder
How we record your results
Tested dogs will be recorded on The Kennel Club's systems as either:
Clear
The dog does not have any copies of the abnormal gene associated with the disease. The dog is highly unlikely to be clinically affected and will only pass on a normal copy of the gene to a puppy.
Carrier
The dog has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the abnormal gene associated with the disease. The dog is highly unlikely to be clinically affected, but may pass one copy of the normal gene, or one copy of the abnormal gene on to a puppy.
Affected
The dog has two copies of the abnormal gene associated with the disease. The dog will likely be clinically affected by the disorder and will pass one copy of the abnormal gene on to any potential offspring.
How to responsibly breed from your DNA-tested dog
If, once your dog is DNA tested, you would like to find out what their DNA test results mean, or how to select the right mate to avoid producing affected puppies, then please read our breeding advice and DNA testing information.
How to find out if a potential mate has been DNA tested
The Kennel Club’s Health Test Results Finder allows you to find the results of DNA tests carried out as part of The Kennel Club's official DNA testing schemes for any dog on our Breed Register.