Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
The two forms of inherited PRA known in the ACD are the PRCD (progressive rod-cone degeneration) and the rcd4 form of PRA. This is the main eye abnormality within the breed. A dog that has tested normal or clear will never develop this form of PRA. There are DNA tests available that enable us to determine if a dog is clear, a carrier or affected. We feel that it is very important to ensure that we only produce pups that will not be affected by the disease. A carrier will not be affected with the disease, however if bred to another carrier or an affected dog, a percentage of pups in a litter will develop the disease. The PRCD form usually shows symptoms from 5 to 6 years of age, but may show up as early as 3 years old. The rcd4 form shows symptoms much later in life starting at 9-10 years of age.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Primary lens luxation is another eye disease that is known to have affected the Australian Cattle Dog. Similar to PRA, there is a DNA test that enables us to determine if the dog is clear, carrier or affected. This luxation happens when fibers connected to the lens, stretch or break resulting in the lens falling out of place. The typical onset for PLL to occur is between 4 and 8 years of age. Luxation of a lens can also happen due to trauma, so it's important to know the status of all breeding stock.
Other DNA Tests
We also test for the following diseases, and all of the dogs used in our breeding program are clear or carrier.
1) Cystinuria - Australian Cattle Dog type
2) Collie Eye Anomaly
3) Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
4) Myotonia Congenita (MC) - Australian Cattle Dog type
5) Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 12
6) Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 - NCL5
7) Multidrug Resistance 1
The two forms of inherited PRA known in the ACD are the PRCD (progressive rod-cone degeneration) and the rcd4 form of PRA. This is the main eye abnormality within the breed. A dog that has tested normal or clear will never develop this form of PRA. There are DNA tests available that enable us to determine if a dog is clear, a carrier or affected. We feel that it is very important to ensure that we only produce pups that will not be affected by the disease. A carrier will not be affected with the disease, however if bred to another carrier or an affected dog, a percentage of pups in a litter will develop the disease. The PRCD form usually shows symptoms from 5 to 6 years of age, but may show up as early as 3 years old. The rcd4 form shows symptoms much later in life starting at 9-10 years of age.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Primary lens luxation is another eye disease that is known to have affected the Australian Cattle Dog. Similar to PRA, there is a DNA test that enables us to determine if the dog is clear, carrier or affected. This luxation happens when fibers connected to the lens, stretch or break resulting in the lens falling out of place. The typical onset for PLL to occur is between 4 and 8 years of age. Luxation of a lens can also happen due to trauma, so it's important to know the status of all breeding stock.
Other DNA Tests
We also test for the following diseases, and all of the dogs used in our breeding program are clear or carrier.
1) Cystinuria - Australian Cattle Dog type
2) Collie Eye Anomaly
3) Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
4) Myotonia Congenita (MC) - Australian Cattle Dog type
5) Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 12
6) Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 - NCL5
7) Multidrug Resistance 1