Progressive Retinal Atrophy

[FortunateCatsGlugDaquirisAllEveningBlindly]

Hi, I always thought there was something slightly odd about one of our DDog’s eyes. It didn’t reflect quite right in the night (the colour didn’t match the other one, one reflects red, the one giving concern, the other green ) and he seemed to struggle a bit with his vision with some of his night time games running around the garden. The vet in our last town just seemed to think I was overreacting.

Our current vet has taken it very seriously. Especially as he was happy to let her examine one eye but not the one we are concerned about.

We are off to the vet tomorrow to try and get the eye examined ( trazadone to be gives beforehand). The vet said if it is PRA it could eventually affect both eyes and it’s genetic.

We have no intention of breeding, he wasn’t neutered when we adopted him and no vet would neuter him in case he became more reactive. He is so much better now we have moved.

Has anyone had to deal with this condition? How fast does it usually progress? Does it usually progress to both eyes? Vet did mention becoming more vocal, I actually thought I was!
Any other suggestions for questions to ask the vet.
Thanks.

A friend has a rescue dog who has PRA. He retained some sight for several years after diagnosis (I can't remember how many, two or three I think), but it was very obvious when the last of his vision had gone as he kept walking into things.

He can be quite vocal in the house, barking when he gets confused about what is going on. Other than that he lives a fairly normal life, though he does bark a bit in the house when he is confused about what is going on.

Id' ask the vet if there are signs of it in both eyes, and what they think his prognosis is likely to be.

My mums rescue cocker has it. Honestly, she’s fine.

My mum keeps al the furniture in the same place so DDog knows the route. My dogs are great with her and really gentle. She still runs ahead on walks (shes completely blind in one eye now and barely has sight in the other) but that’s because she has my dogs and she trusts them. She barks a bit at unexpected noises in the house but settled quickly.

It took a few years for her to go blind but tbh it’s made very little difference to her personality or her life. She’s perhaps a touch more cuddly but that’s it

My previous Labrador was diagnosed at around six. He went on till almost 16. He lost his sight completely but found his way round our house and garden, various relations' properties and two holiday cottages, one of which we didn't start visiting until he was blind. Amazing mind maps.

It was gradual, over a year or so. Once his sight was completely gone (his pupils were so large there was no brown iris visible) I didn't let him off his lead, unless it was an enclosed space. I did have a long line for quiet lanes and tracks.

Don't sit with your feet stretched out and keep doors either fully open or closed.

I cried my eyes out but he adjusted beautifully and I don't think dogs would have the mental pain of a human in that position. The better he is trained while he still has some sight the easier it will be, like 'up' for the up- kerb and 'off' for the down-kerb, 'slowly' if he's rushing.

You'll both be fine.