Data Sheet: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Research Organization: Optigen

Contact Person: Jeanette Felix

Contact Phone: 607-257-0353

Email Address: genetest@optigen.com

Additional Information: sandcastlebmds@earthlink.net

Project Web Site: Not applicable

About This Disease

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a long recognized, hereditary, blinding disorder. It is inherited as a simple autosomal recessive in most breeds. The first modern description of this problem was in Gordon Setters in Europe, in 1911, but since then PRA has been recognized in most purebred dogs.

About This Research Project

Dr. Aquirre at Optigen has been instrumental in developing genetic tests for PRA in a number of breeds. He and his group now feel that they have a good lead as to the type of PRA in Bernese as well as for the other three related Swiss breeds, the Appenzellers, the Entelbuchers (a test has now been developed for Entelbuchers), and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

What is Needed? (if you participate)

To pursue the research, Optigen needs:

• contact with any owners of dogs that have been determined to be PRA carriers or any affected dogs.
• review the eye exam reports of those dogs.
• copies of the pedigrees of these dogs.
• blood samples of these dogs.

The info they collect is private and only used in their research to pursue the genetic makeup of this problem in our dogs.

Data Sheet Name: Optigen.html           Last Updated: Sep 6 2007           Proofed: AJH, PL