Testing for PRA in Cardigan Welsh Corgis

• Breed Links

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a group of inherited blinding canine diseases, is seen in many pure breeds, although the exact genetic cause is known for only a few. At present, 7 genetic PRA forms are known to affect in total 13 breeds. Luckily for Cardigan Welsh Corgis, their disease has a known genetic cause and an accurate DNA-based test for detecting presence of the mutation.

Corgi PRA is caused by a mutation in the gene called PDE6A whose normal state is essential for normal vision. The disease in Corgis, similar to PRA seen in Irish Setters and caused by a related gene, is of early onset with signs of retinal abnormality and vision loss already by one year of age. The Corgi form of PRA is called rcd3, that is, the third PRA form with rod-cone degeneration. Rod and cone refer to the shapes of cells in the retina that respond to light, but are progressively degenerating when affected with this disease.

For information on recessive genetic diseases and the expected results for various breeding strategies, please go to the OptiGen “Glossary” link and read about “autosome” and “recessive”.

Please follow the instructions at the link "Ship Sample" and submit the information at "Request Test". The cost of the rcd3-PRA test for Cardigan Welsh Corgi is $80 per test.

For more information on this breed and the disease, go to: Cardigan Welsh Corgi Website

Reference:

Petersen-Jones SM, Zhu FX. Development and use of a polymerase chain reaction-based diagnostic test for the causal mutation of progressive retinal atrophy in Cardigan Welsh Corgis. American Journal of Veterinary Research 617):844-846, 2000.