Cocoa has PRA

[Jane S]

Ninasmum - I have checked all Cocoa's paperwork and her parents were tested and pronounced unaffected by CPRA/GPRA I believe like Nina.  I have also told the breeder and she isn't aware of any others in the line that have developed this.  It is strange, I don't understand the genetics of it all and how Cocoa has come to be affected.  The breeder said it could be a throw-back.  But anyway I am trying very hard to stay positive and will continue to do all I can to help my little girl and try very hard not to spoil her too much

Really sorry to hear about Cocoa but am sure she will cope well with your help What the breeder says is a bit misleading - you've posted Cocoa's KC name in the past so I did a health test check on the KC website and it shows that Cocoa's parents have never been DNA tested for PRA - both parents were clinically eye tested some years ago but clinical eye tests only tell you whether a dog is unaffected at the time they were tested, they can't tell you whether the dog is a carrier or even might be affected later (the DNA test does). Both of Cocoa's parents are at least carriers of GPRA to have produced it but sadly for Cocoa, the breeder didn't DNA test and so was not aware of this when she bred the litter (hopefully she does DNA test now although it doesn't sound like it if she's not aware she's bred from carriers )
 

[Cocoa]

Hi Jane, thank you for clarifying that.  I fully understand what you are saying.  The breeder is quite elderly and I feel that she isn't up to  speed on this (as I wasn't when I first bought Cocoa but know a lot more now thanks to COL). She originally purchased Cocoa's parents from a certain commercial breeding kennel (won't say the name but I am sure you know who I mean, they have since been closed down according to the breeder).  She says all her dogs are eye checked but she then went on to ask me if Cocoa could be cured    She is still breeding but you are right, I think she probably believes that the eye test is enough.  Lets hope we are wrong.  The opthalmologist is doing a lot of research on PRA and asked me to send Cocoa's pedigree which I have done as she likes to collect pedigrees from dogs she has diagnosed with this to help with her research.  She says there are a lot of cockers and labradors in our area that have got this condition.

Thank you again for this information, hopefully in the distant future it will be something that can be prevented.

Jackie & Cocoa XX

[Jane S]

Hi Jane, thank you for clarifying that.  I fully understand what you are saying.  The breeder is quite elderly and I feel that she isn't up to  speed on this (as I wasn't when I first bought Cocoa but know a lot more now thanks to COL). She originally purchased Cocoa's parents from a certain commercial breeding kennel (won't say the name but I am sure you know who I mean, they have since been closed down according to the breeder).  She says all her dogs are eye checked but she then went on to ask me if Cocoa could be cured    She is still breeding but you are right, I think she probably believes that the eye test is enough.  Lets hope we are wrong.  The opthalmologist is doing a lot of research on PRA and asked me to send Cocoa's pedigree which I have done as she likes to collect pedigrees from dogs she has diagnosed with this to help with her research.  She says there are a lot of cockers and labradors in our area that have got this condition.

Yes that is often the problem with some older breeders - a shame though, especially as she is could still be breeding from carriers and producing more puppies which could go blind in the future The most common form of GPRA is preventable now with DNA testing (except for rare cases like Ninasmum's Nina who has a form of PRA not covered by the current DNA test) but sadly we'll still get affected dogs while there are breeders who don't DNA test. You might also want to send Cocoa's pedigree to the Cocker Club Welfare Co-ordinator so that the details are recorded in the annual Welfare booklet - let me know if you want the email address.

[Ninasmum]

Thanks for the update on Cocoa 
It sounds like you are doing everything you can to help her Jackie

Its good to know your Opthamologist is doing a lot of research too, as Nina's is also 
Is your Opthamologist not able to give you an indication of how much Cocoa's vision has deteriorated? 

We are due to go back in October & i expect to be told Nina's has worsened since our last visit in June    I can tell just with subtle little change's her's has worsened....she still chase's balls but it is mainly done with scent which she is getting very good at....over the last couple of months she can no longer see any treats i give her & its not until its right in front of her nose that she realise's, although if its anything strong smelling she stands their doing her 'guppy fish' impression  waiting for it to drop in her mouth  bless her little heart 

Its a shame we don't live locally as it makes such a huge, huge difference to have some support 
Thinking of you both & let us know how Cocoa gets on in the future 

[Jessie_Pup]

Dylan does the same with treats think he is sitting near me and opens his mouth thinking he is going to get a treat.  Been having difficulty getting him out for his last wee at night. Goes out turns round and comes back in again.

Erica.