Fact Sheet

Toy, Miniature, & Standard.

Gradual deterioration of the retina of the eye, leading to blindness.

First symptom may appear as night blindness and gradually progress to vision problems in the daytime and then total blindness.

Simple autosomal recessive (both sire & dam must be carriers, or Affected, to produce affected offspring). The mode of inheritance for all prcd-PRA in all breeds has been found to be recessive.

Genetic.  The prcd gene is the cause of most, but not all, cases of PRA in Poodles.  There are at least two different genetic forms of PRA in Poodles, even though the clinical signs of PRA in all diseased dogs are very similar.  One form cannot be distinguished from another form based on a clinical exam.  This is significant—a dog that is Normal/Clear for prcd-PRA could still be at risk for having or carrying another form of PRA.

The exact frequency of prcd–PRA compared to other types of PRA in the Poodle is not known.  We do know that prcd-PRA is frequent and is the predominant form found in Toy and Miniature Poodles.  The majority of PRA cases in Standard Poodles are not prcd-PRA.   In March of 2013, Optigen reported the detection of the prcd-PRA mutation in Standard Poodles.

Rod Cone Dysplasia Type 4, late onset PRA.  The research team at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) in the UK identified a PRA- causing mutation in the C2orf71 gene in 2014.  This typically does not result in vision loss until the dog is beyond 7 years of age.  The initial data shows the average age of onset is 10 years of age.  Some dogs may not show symptoms until they are 12 or older.  In November, 2016 the rcd4-PRA mutation was reported in Miniature Poodles. Optigen is now offering the rcd4-PRA test for Miniature and Standard Poodles.

Genetic Testing.  prcd-PRA is diagnosed by genetic DNA testing offered by OptiGen for Toy and Miniatures Poodles.  More information can be found at http://www.optigen.com

Eye Exams.  While annual eye exams by veterinary ophthalmologists are recommended for all breeds, this is especially important for Toy and Miniature Poodles, since there is more than one form of PRA known to affect those varieties.

Toy and Miniature Poodles can be genetically tested as very young puppies.  This is a cheek swab DNA test.  Onset of prcd-PRA occurs late; i.e., 5-6+ years.

The eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist can be done beginning at 8 weeks old.  Currently, Standard Poodles can only be positively diagnosed after onset by an eye examination.  There is not a specific time frame for the onset of PRA in Standard Poodles.

Every dog used in a breeding program should have its eyes examined annually by a veterinary ophthalmologist, or prior to being bred.  Each Toy and Miniature should also have the OptiGen DNA test for prcd-PRA, which is a definitive genetic test.  Desirable breeding for Toys and Miniatures must include at least one prcd-PRA Normal/Clear parent.  All other breedings are at risk of producing affected pups with an extremely high probability of developing prcd-PRA during their lifetime.

The Poodle Club of America Foundation (PCAF) has an agreement with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to have OFA establish a database of results of the OptiGen test.  Breeders who wish to list the Normal/Clear or Carrier results of their tests must submit the report they receive from OptiGen to OFA and pay a fee to OFA.  Their information will be entered into OFA’s DNA-based genetic database and they will receive an OFA certificate.  All information in the database is publicly available.  There is no charge to enter an Affected test result into the database.

To find an approved lab, go here: https://www.ofa.org/dna-test-labs

OptiGen: http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_pra_poodle.html

OptiGen: https://www.optigen.com/opt9_rcd4pra.html

OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals): http://www.ofa.org