New Test Available: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Shetland Sheepdog type)

The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory has launched a new test that is specific to the Shetland Sheepdog: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Shetland Sheepdog type).

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a term used to describe a group of inherited disorders of the retina, characterized by progressive retinal degeneration and consequent blindness. More than 20 mutations in various genes have been associated with PRA in dogs, many of which are breed-specific. 

A 4 base pair deletion in the CNGA1 gene is associated with one form of PRA in the Shetland Sheepdog. Testing for this PRA variant assists owners and breeders in identifying affected and carrier dogs. Dogs with one copy of this PRA allele are normal but are carriers. Breeders can use results from the test as a tool for selection of mating pairs to avoid producing dogs affected by this ocular disorder. 

Read more about the test on our website at https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/sheltie-pra