Progressive Retinal Atrophy?

Nudibranch

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I have a mini longhaired Dachshund who will be 6 in October. Over the last 6 months he's started barking a lot more, often at nothing. He will also bark at people he knows really well - including me and OH - for example if we are outside the garden, until we call out and he realises who we are. He never did this before. It's as if he's not seeing properly. I know mini longhairs are genetically susceptible to PRA but I saw the vet this morning for his booster and she couldn't see anything unusual. His reflexes are normal and there's no sign of cloudiness. But she did say if things continue he might need to see an eye specialist and I got the impression she couldn't see what's going on at the back of the eye. She asked if he bumps into things, which he doesn't, but presumably that would be a very advanced blindness!

Does anyone have a dog with this and what were the first symptoms? I know it isn't painful but I have no idea what the implications are for caring for a blind dog.
 

s4sugar

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15 September 2009
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Unfortunately I know too much about PRA.

Dogs cope wvery well with gradual sight loss - so well that at clinics dogs have been diagnosed as virtually blind when their owners were not aware and had just come because they wanted to breed.
You can get eyes tested at a clinic -
http://www.ourdogs.co.uk/Diary/Dog Days/Eye Testing/EyeTesting.php

http://www.dogworld.co.uk/section.php/Show-calendar/Eye-heart-ear-testing

or at any of the BVA panel vets - http://www.bva.co.uk/public/documents/EP_list_Jan_2012.pdf

The DNA test is not recommended for diagnosis in your breed. If you contact the breed club thaey may be able to assist and if your dog has known carrier parents it would save you the testing fees as there is no treatment.
 
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