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PRA/RCD4 in Setters

If you are wondering what is the right dog for you, this is the place to be. In this introductory forum we talk about topics such as breed vs. mix, size, age, grooming, breeders, shelters, rescues as well as requirements for exercise, space and care. No question is too silly here. This particular forum is for getting and giving helpful, nice advice. It is definitely not a forum for criticizing someone else's opinion, knowledge or advice. This forum is all about tail wagging and learning.

  
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Gemini

Love Me		 
 
Barked: Tue Oct 30, '12 2:59pm PST 
so I think Gem still has the late on set still. he started showing signs (which I didn't even realize)at 1 year and was completely blind at 2 1/2 years old. he now is developing cataracts. Not that it matters but out of curiousity I read that it leads to the retina detaching itself. will he lose his eyes completely?? Like I said I love my boy no matter what happens and he still has no clue he can't see. My in laws refuse to believe that he is blind because he still can catch a fly out of the air. and he stares at you and reacts to noise like a dog that sees. So I read that there is not even a test for GSD yet. I don't know much about genetics and most of it goes over my head but I thought that was interesting. . . .
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Toto, CD,- RN, CGC

We don't do- doodles!!!
 
 
Barked: Tue Oct 30, '12 4:14pm PST 
Nope, he shouldn't lose his eyes from the PRA. The cataracts can lead to glaucoma and pressure issues, but that is pretty rare. The retina just detaches from the optic nerve...as I understand, it is painless and all within the eyeball itself.
I had one Frenchie who did have both eyes removed from severe glaucome resulting from juvenile cataracts but hers were very, very advanced. NONE of the others I have known about lost their eyes.
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Toto, CD,- RN, CGC

We don't do- doodles!!!
 
 
Barked: Tue Oct 30, '12 4:18pm PST 
Buster, I think you are right with the late onset thing not being so worrisome to breeders. I have a friend who used to do Elkhounds and she didn't worry about it much at all. Drove us lab people CRAZY!!!
I did read that the Irish red and white setters have pretty much eliminated PRA completely.
I know the Irish Setters in this country did a GREAT job of reducing the incidence back in the 80's and 90's.
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Member Since
01/04/2009		 
 
Barked: Wed Oct 31, '12 5:30am PST 
I know my dog is PRA clear through pedigree. We honestly don't have a huge problem with it in cardigans, but that's not to say we don't have other issues.

Toto- the way you breed for PRA is the way alot of cardi breeders do for DM. You can breed a clear to a carrier and pretty much eliminate any dog coming down with it. However, we estimate that only around 5-10% of cardigans are affected with DM. IVDD is another story, though.

I've really enjoyed reading this thread on it. I didn't realize that PRA was still such an issue, but when most of your breed is a carrier or affected, then it's almost impossible to escape with out sacrificing breed type, structure, movement, drive, etc etc.
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Dr. Watson

Not a wiener- dawg!		 
 
Barked: Wed Oct 31, '12 11:22am PST 
The only thing I can add is if you have a smallish gene pool, you will cause deleterious effects if you only breed clear to clear. You don't want to overdo it with breeding carrier to clear, but you need to breed some carriers to clear ONLY if the carriers contribute important advantages to the breed -- such as different lines, drive, conformation, intelligence, natural retrieving perhaps in the case of Gordons (course I don't know how heritable that is) and many other things.thinking So there is a good reason for breeding carriers, you just must test the offspring to find out which are carriers. And of course all Gordons should have periodic exams from a specialist veterinary opthalmologist throughout their lifetimes. I don't know how to access a Gordon pedigree database that might carry such information; there is one for Goldens, which provides information on such things.

Now a bad example of breeding carrier to clear would be breeding a carrier from a common line with few assets to add to the breed.
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Buster

1201864		 
 
Barked: Wed Oct 31, '12 11:34am PST 
I've had a look at the gordon setter club's recommendation on PRA here they say breeding of carriers or even affected of good type to clear is acceptable:
http://www.britishgordonsetterclub.co.uk/Health.htm

It also seems to be quite a new test so maybe it hasn't quite caught on yet

Edited by author Wed Oct 31, '12 11:35am PST

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Lucille

I am the Sock- Bandit!!!		 
 
Barked: Wed Oct 31, '12 11:55am PST 
It's very late onset in Gordons and the test is fairly new, that's probably why you're not turning much up on it. One of my breeder friends has produced really nice ones and thankfully his lines are clear so far. He's retiring (both himself and his dogs) so I don't see him around much anymore, if I do I'll ask more on the subject.

Gordons are fabulous dogs. If I ever move on to sporting group, I'll be on these guys definitely.
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Dr. Watson

Not a wiener- dawg!		 
 
Barked: Wed Oct 31, '12 12:56pm PST 
Lucille, move on to the sporting group soon, lol. Or get one, too! They are fabulous, and you're a great owner/trainer. smile

I must admit that although it does grate on me a bit, I was looking for a pup from a popular sire who carries PRA (bred only to clears of course) and not linebred of course. Of course, by the time I get around to a pup, he'll be a grandsire, bol! laugh out loud
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Trigger

*Blackdog*		 
 
Barked: Thu Nov 1, '12 5:19pm PST 
Toto - bird walk - I adore Frenchies and would love to own one someday, but due to their notorious health issues I've been scared to death to make that leap of even trying to find a reputable breeder.

If you ever have a free moment and would care to indulge me in dropping a few names pointing me in the direction of an outstanding one or two it would be very much appreciated. I'd love to pick your brain about them in general! big grin
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Toto, CD,- RN, CGC

We don't do- doodles!!!
 
 
Barked: Thu Nov 1, '12 5:27pm PST 
Pmail me and I will come up with some names both dos and DON'Ts!!! You can't have my baby...it's being born tomorrow morning at 7:30. There are two, I am hoping both boys cuz I want ONE and I have one sold to a GREAT home.
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