Disease overview

Progressive rod-cone degeneration is an eye disorder characterized by late-onset photoreceptor degeneration. This is a progressive, non-painful disease that affects both types of photoreceptors: rods and cones. Rod cells are responsible for vision in low light conditions and for detecting and following movement, while cone cells detect color and adjust brightness, but do not work as well in low light. Signs can present at different ages and may be breed-dependent.

Gene name

PRCD

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

Progressive rod-cone degeneration is typically a slowly progressive disease characterized by a loss of vision over time, which can allow for a dog to adapt more easily. Changes in behavior, such as reluctance to go down the stairs or into a dark room, and/or bumping into door frames and furniture, may be signs that a dog is experiencing vision loss. There may be an increased reflectivity to the eye. This disease can lead to complete blindness.

How is it diagnosed

Thorough examination of the eyes and clinical signs. A veterinary ophthalmologic exam can determine if there are changes in the eye that have or will lead to vision loss. Genetic testing is necessary to determine if there is an underlying genetic cause, which can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Breeds at higher risk

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Citations

Zangerl B, Goldstein O, Philp AR, Lindauer SJ, Pearce-Kelling SE, Mullins RF, Graphodatsky AS, Ripoll D, Felix JS, Stone EM, Acland GM, Aguirre GD. Identical mutation in a novel retinal gene causes progressive rod-cone degeneration in dogs and retinitis pigmentosa in humans. Genomics. 2006 Nov;88(5):551-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2006.07.007. Epub 2006 Aug 30. PMID: 16938425; PMCID: PMC3989879.

Lewis TW, Mellersh CS. Changes in mutation frequency of eight Mendelian inherited disorders in eight pedigree dog populations following introduction of a commercial DNA test. PLoS One. 2019 Jan 16;14(1):e0209864. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209864. PMID: 30650096; PMCID: PMC6334900. .

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.