Progressive Retinal Atrophy (or PRA) is a disease that affects the eyes (part of the eye called the retina) and eventually leads to blindness. It is an inherited disease, painless, with a slow progression in most cases. Unfortunately,all cases lead to complete blindness. 

What Causes Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in Dogs?

We are talking about progressive retinal atrophy, which affects adult dogs. There is another type of retinal deterioration called Retinal dysplasia and it happens in puppyhood. Both involve the cells of the retina called rod and cone cells. 

However,in the Progressive retinal atrophy, the cells develop normally. The deterioration of the cells starts later in adult life, and the first cells to go are rods. Later, the cone cells also deteriorate, leading to complete blindness.

In Retinal dysplasia, the cells do not develop properly, leading to loss of sight early on (it can be diagnosed when a dog is just 2 to 3 months old).

Eye Anatomy

We have to go through some basics of eye anatomy to fully grasp what happens in PRA. A dog’s eye has a part like humans do, called the retina (1)  that catches the light signals and sends them through the optic nerve (2) into the brain. The brain then interprets these signals into the images we see.

The retina consists of two types of cells – cones and rods. The cone cells enable us to see when it is bright, and the rods help us see when there isn’t much light around.

Progressive retinal atrophy starts with the deterioration of the rod cells, which means that one of the first symptoms is night blindness. By deterioration, we mean the cells die – they get destroyed, which consequently means the retina cannot do its job anymore.

Symptoms of Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs

Because Progressive retinal atrophy affects the rod cells first, and they are responsible for vision during the night,the first symptom is night blindness. What can you notice?

• A dog gets nervous or agitated at night because it starts to lose its sight at night
• A dog might bump into things 
• A dog might be reluctant to go into dark areas or rooms
• A dog can get nervous when performing tasks in rooms with low light
• During later stages, cataract formations can be noticed

Unfortunately, dogs are incredible at adjusting when it’s their eyes that have a problem. They use their sense of smell and hearing, as well as touch to compensate. So, it might take a long time before we notice something is wrong.

How fast the dog will become completely blind depends on the breed, age, and each individual case. Generally speaking, it takes about 1 to 2 years from first night-loss symptoms to total blindness.

How Is Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs Diagnosed?

The veterinarian will examine the eye, focusing on the retina to see any changes. The condition affects both eyes, so the examination of both eyes is normal. Some veterinarians will tell you to see an eye specialist to confirm the disease. 

This is often the situation if the disease is at a later stage when cataracts develop and they block the view of the retina. The specialist diagnostic method is called electroretinography (ERG).

Is There Treatment for Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dogs?

There is no cure for Progressive retinal atrophy. The only treatment option is to make a dog’s life as comfortable as possible. That means:

• Make a house or a place where a dog lives safe for a dog to move around
• Do not change the furniture (only if you must) because a dog gets used to where everything is
• Prevent a dog from going to dangerous areas, such as stairs (use a safety gate)
• Always use a leash when you are outside
• Be sure to be there for your dog while it transitions from sight loss to total blindness and help with its anxiety

And, don’t worry. Even though it is a big change, this is not a painful condition, and dogs tend to adjust well because of how slow it develops. That means, you still have some good years in front of you to spend with your furry friend.

Dog Breeds Most Affected by Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Although Progressive retinal atrophy affects all dog breeds (including crossbreeds), some have a higher predisposition.

These breeds are:

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Poodles
• Labrador retrievers
• Golden retrievers
• Bedlington Terriers
• English and American Cocker Spaniels 
• Rottweilers
• Basenjis 
• Irish Setters
• Papillons
• Shetland Sheepdogs 

All of these dog breeds need both parents to have a “defective gene” to inherit the disease. This is called “autosomal recessive” inheritance of genes.

However, Bullmastiffs and English Mastiffs only need one parent to inherit the disease. This is called “dominant” inheritance of genes. 

Some studies (XLPRA, C J Zeiss 1, K Ray, G M Acland, G D Aguirre) show that Samoyeds and Siberian Huskies have a predisposition for only one sex to inherit the disease and it is, in most cases, the male.

Summary

While losing sight seems like a very debilitating condition, keep in mind that these are dogs we’re talking about. Dogs rely on their sense of smell so losing eyesight won’t totally destroy their lives.

However, having a guard dog that lost his sight is a different matter. They can’t do their job anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s over for them. After all, we are all looking for a dog to protect us and be a part of our family.

I do hope that if something like this happens, you won’t get rid of your guard dog but keep on loving and taking care of him. It’s your turn to chase away the monsters and protect him. 

FAQ

At what age do dogs develop Progressive Retinal Atrophy?

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) can develop at different ages depending on the breed and genetic type. Some dogs show signs as early as a few months old, while others develop symptoms in adulthood, typically between 3 and 9 years of age.

Is Progressive Retinal Atrophy painful for dogs?

No, PRA is not painful. It causes gradual vision loss due to degeneration of the retina, but it does not cause inflammation or discomfort.

Can Progressive Retinal Atrophy in dogs be cured?

There is currently no cure for Progressive Retinal Atrophy in dogs. Because it is a genetic condition, treatment focuses on management and helping dogs adapt to vision loss rather than reversing the disease.

How fast does PRA progress in dogs?

The progression of PRA varies. In most cases, dogs gradually lose night vision first, followed by daytime vision over months or years. The condition typically leads to complete blindness over time.

What are the early signs of PRA in dogs?

Early signs include difficulty seeing in dim light, hesitation in unfamiliar environments, bumping into objects at night, and increased clumsiness. Many owners first notice night blindness before daytime vision is affected.

Can dogs live a normal life with Progressive Retinal Atrophy?

Yes. Dogs adapt remarkably well to vision loss. With consistent home layout, verbal cues, and a safe environment, most dogs with PRA continue to live happy, active lives.