Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a problem that is common in Standard Poodles.
It is a genetic defect in these breeds and so it is very important for it to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. It can be a very frustrating thing to realize that something is.
PRA can be a confusing and devastating. As it is with any medical ailment, there is a great deal of defense to be had in knowledge.
To help you cope with this devastating illness, here are some fact about PRA.
PRA is a disease of the retina commonly found in Standard Poodles. This has
long been seen as a hereditary disorder and leads to blindness. It was first
recognized in the Gordon Setters breed in the early 1900s but since then it has
become a devastating illness found mainly in purebred canines, Standard Poodles
in particular.
PRA involves the retinal tissue of the dog's eye,
located in the rearmost part of the eyeball. The retina is one of the most
important parts of the eye when it comes to turning images into actual visual
pictures, and so since the retina is affected this disease almost always leads
to blindness.
Early Symptoms
In the earliest stages of PRA, your Standard Poodle is probably going to
experience difficulty seeing at night, or in dark places. If he or she has not
already been diagnosed, this is one of the significant warning signs of PRA. As
the disease worsens, daytime vision will be affected. You may notice that the
reflection in their eyes is much brighter as this is their body's way of
attempting to make up for the condition; by gathering more light so their eye
reflects much more brightly, and noticeably so.
Diagnosing
PRA in Standard Poodles should be diagnosed by a veterinarian.
During the examination, your poodle's pupil will be dilated using eye drops and an instrument is used to look into the eye. If there is evidence of the ailment and you felt
your poodle should see a veterinarian, it probably will not be difficult
to diagnose your pet with PRA if that is in fact the case. The examination
required to diagnose PRA is not at all painful for your pet.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no treatment option out there at this time for
PRA. The disease can not be slowed at all, so it almost always leads to blindness.
but as long as your dog's environment remains constant, they can be
highly adaptable to this condition. Remember, poodles do not rely fully on their vision as we do. You may not even be able to tell that your dog has vision problems.
PRA Prevention
If you find that your poodles is suffering from this disease, it is important
that they do not breed as the disease is genetic and runs through bloodlines. If
you have not already done so, now is the time to spay or neuter your pet so as
to help get a handle on this devastating illness. Any puppy born in the same
litter should be sterilized as well, even if they are not diagnosed with the
disease; it can still be bred to their offspring.
It is a genetic defect in these breeds and so it is very important for it to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. It can be a very frustrating thing to realize that something is.
PRA can be a confusing and devastating. As it is with any medical ailment, there is a great deal of defense to be had in knowledge.
To help you cope with this devastating illness, here are some fact about PRA.
PRA is a disease of the retina commonly found in Standard Poodles. This has
long been seen as a hereditary disorder and leads to blindness. It was first
recognized in the Gordon Setters breed in the early 1900s but since then it has
become a devastating illness found mainly in purebred canines, Standard Poodles
in particular.
PRA involves the retinal tissue of the dog's eye,
located in the rearmost part of the eyeball. The retina is one of the most
important parts of the eye when it comes to turning images into actual visual
pictures, and so since the retina is affected this disease almost always leads
to blindness.
Early Symptoms
In the earliest stages of PRA, your Standard Poodle is probably going to
experience difficulty seeing at night, or in dark places. If he or she has not
already been diagnosed, this is one of the significant warning signs of PRA. As
the disease worsens, daytime vision will be affected. You may notice that the
reflection in their eyes is much brighter as this is their body's way of
attempting to make up for the condition; by gathering more light so their eye
reflects much more brightly, and noticeably so.
Diagnosing
PRA in Standard Poodles should be diagnosed by a veterinarian.
During the examination, your poodle's pupil will be dilated using eye drops and an instrument is used to look into the eye. If there is evidence of the ailment and you felt
your poodle should see a veterinarian, it probably will not be difficult
to diagnose your pet with PRA if that is in fact the case. The examination
required to diagnose PRA is not at all painful for your pet.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no treatment option out there at this time for
PRA. The disease can not be slowed at all, so it almost always leads to blindness.
but as long as your dog's environment remains constant, they can be
highly adaptable to this condition. Remember, poodles do not rely fully on their vision as we do. You may not even be able to tell that your dog has vision problems.
PRA Prevention
If you find that your poodles is suffering from this disease, it is important
that they do not breed as the disease is genetic and runs through bloodlines. If
you have not already done so, now is the time to spay or neuter your pet so as
to help get a handle on this devastating illness. Any puppy born in the same
litter should be sterilized as well, even if they are not diagnosed with the
disease; it can still be bred to their offspring.
