Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in dachshunds

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in Dachshunds is a genetic eye disease causing gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. It is characterized by the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina, impacting both rod and cone cells, which are crucial for vision in dim and bright light, respectively. Dachshunds are known to have at least two types of PRA, one of which is caused by a mutation in the NPHP4 gene.

Key aspects of PRA in Dachshunds:
Genetic Basis:

PRA in Dachshunds is primarily a genetic condition, with different mutations in various genes causing the disease.

Forms of PRA:
Dachshunds are susceptible to at least two forms of PRA: PRA-crd (Cone-Rod Dystrophy) and PRA (Giant Schnauzer type).
PRA-crd:
This form is caused by mutations in the NPHP4 gene and is most common in wirehaired Dachshunds.
PRA (Giant Schnauzer type):
This form affects the miniature smooth Dachshunds and causes degeneration of both rod and cone cells.

Symptoms:
Initial symptoms may include night blindness, which progresses to vision impairment in brighter light. Dogs may bump into objects, hesitate on stairs, and have dilated pupils.
Progression:
PRA is a progressive disease, meaning vision loss gradually worsens over time, ultimately leading to blindness.

No Cure:
There is no cure for PRA in dogs.

Adaptation:
Dogs with PRA often adapt well to their vision loss, especially when it develops gradually, as they learn to navigate using their other senses.

Testing:
Genetic testing is available to identify dogs carrying the mutated genes and determine their PRA status (clear, carrier, or affected). Companies like Optimal Selection, Gensol, and Paw Print Genetics can perform this test.

Breeding:
Responsible breeding practices are crucial to minimize the risk of passing on PRA. Breeding known carriers together is not recommended.

DNA tests are particularly helpful because they identify three categories of dog (SEE CHART BELOW)

-Affected dogs
-Carriers
-Clear dogs

Every dog has two copies of the gene which is responsible for the health of the rod cells in his/her eyes. They will have inherited one of these copies from each of his/her parents. If only one of the pair of genes is faulty, the healthy gene will over-ride it, and the disease will not develop

PRA Affected Dogs
PRA Affected dogs have two faulty genes and will all go on to get PRA at some point.

They will eventually lose their eyesight, sometimes at a very young age. If they are allowed to mate, they should ALWAYS be mated to a PRA CLEAR dog.

PRA Carriers
Carriers have one faulty gene and one healthy gene. The healthy gene will switch off the faulty gene and a carrier will never develop retinal atrophy.
A Carrier should always be mated to a PRA CLEAR Dog.

PRA Clear
Clear dogs have two healthy genes. What PRA clear means, is that the puppy or dog can never develop retinal atrophy.

The PRA clear dog can also never pass the gene for PRA on to their puppies.

This makes them ideal candidates for breeding. But the blood test has an added bonus.

At AZ Doxies, we try to breed-out all instances of PRA in our lines. Even though a dog being a “Carrier” has no affect on the animal, we prefer to not have any of our sires and dames to even “Carrry” for PRA. If you have any questions regarding PRA and how to get your dog tested, let us know by calling 352-339-3877 or messenge us on Instagram at @az_doxies

AZ Doxies is a breeder of minature dachshunds located in Crystal River, FL. Our dachshund puppies are all DNA tested as well as health tested. We service all of Florida and provide dachshund puppies to approved homes. We are quite picky with the homes we release a puppy to. Our focus is the well-being of the puppy. There are many breeders to choose from in Florida. We are a different than most dachshund breeders in Florida. We breed our doxies using dachshund standard and dachshund confirmation is paramount as well as favorable DNA and health traits. Having healthy, well adjusted dachshunds is our top priority. We offer minature dachshunds with different colors and patterns. Longhair and smooth coat doxies are available. However, we consider ourselves a small breeder. All of our dogs are inside of our home. We do not breed to get rich but for the love of the breed. We love to see joy on a young couple or childs face when they get a new doxie puppy.

Our goal is to continue to learn and to make sure we are breeding the healthiest dogs available. Our focus is on combatting IVDD through genetics as well as exercise therapy, and holistic medicine treatment. CDDY is the genetic mutation that increases a dachshund’s suceptabity of having IVDD. We want to stop IVDD before it can start. We need to keep those discs in the spine nice and maluable. The discs should be the texture of foam. Figure eight movements are one example of physical exercise to strengthen your dachshunds back. After a dachshund is two years old, you can have their back scored. Back scoring measures the levels of calcification in the vertebral discs.

AZ Doxies, based in Crystal River, Florida, can delivery a puppy for an additional fee. We often deliver in areas such as Miami, Gainesville, Pensacola, Orlando, and Tampa. We focus on Florida only. We see a need in Florida for legitimate breeders who really want to breed for confirmation and who want to do DNA and health testing.

Pet stores will usually have a ACA registration which is for puppy mills. We have done a lot of reseach finding out how these puppy mills in places like Ohio ship dogs after 8 weeks old to pet shops across the United States. You can tell by the pictures and the lack of communication that people are nefarious. Common sense and trusting your gut goes a long way. After all, we arent just picking up a used car, this is a living being that hopefully will be with you for 18 years. By the way, AKC and CKC are the only real dog registries in America. There is no $500 dachshund. Not one you would ever want, anyways. Please be careful of cheap dachshunds from breeders with no records for pedigree and no testing for basics like PRA,dapple, and CDDY.

If you would like to discuss with us more about our breeding philosophy or just have questions we are here for the public. Please do not hesitate to call us at 352-339-3877. We are based in Citrus County, Florida.