Diagram for inheritance of PRA
Aby & Somali
The following recommendations were worked out for the Abyssinians and Somalis.
PRA is an autosomal recessive disorder. As there is a DNA-test available, both affected and carriers can be diagnosed. The DNA-test will identify the rdAc-gene mutation which is known to cause PRA. Therefore it is essential to continue with ophtalmoscopic examination for early detection of new mutations.
Aby & Somaliringen recommends the following routines:
- Only cats with known rdAc-status should be used for breeding.
- Carriers can be used for breeding but only be mated with cats that are normal with respect to the rdAc-mutation.
- Affected cats (with both rdAc genes defective) should not be used for breeding.
- All cats used for breeding should undergo opthalmoscopic examination once before the age of two years and preferably twice more in their lifetime, the last time not before 7 years.
- Pets should preferably undergo ophtalmoscopic examination at least once in their life time.
Siamese and Related Breeds
The following recommendations were worked out for Siamese and related breeds (Siamese, Oriental SH & LH, Balinese, Seychellois SH & LH, Peterbald).
PRA is an autosomal recessive disorder. As there now is a DNA-test available, both affected and carriers can be diagnosed. The DNA-test will identify the mutated rdAc-gene (known to cause the most common variety of PRA).
The PawPeds Work Group for the Health Programme against PRA in Siamese and related breeds recommends the following:
- Only cats with known rdAc-status should be used for breeding.
- Carriers can be used for breeding but only be mated with cats that are normal with respect to the rdAc-mutation.
- Affected cats (with both rdAc genes defective) should not be used for breeding.
- All buyers of carrier kittens and kittens of unknown status from combinations where both parents are not negative should be informed about the disease, the fact that a parent is a carrier, and the risks of using the kitten for breeding. Heterozygous carriers will never get any symptoms, so one might think it is irrelevant information for a pet buyer. However, since it is not uncommon that pet buyers later get the idea to have a litter from their cat, and they might then go ahead without contacting the breeder of the cat, it is important that also pet buyers fully understand the nature of the disease and the situation with their kitten.
Ocicat
The following recommendations were worked out for the Ocicat.
PRA is an autosomal recessive disorder. There is now a DNA-test available allowing for both affected cats and carriers to be diagnosed. The DNA-test identifies the rdAc-gene mutation which is known to cause PRA.
Oci Cat Club recommends the following routines:
- Only cats with known rdAc-status should be used for breeding.
- Carriers can be used for breeding but only be mated with cats that are normal with respect to the rdAc-mutation.
- Affected cats (with both rdAc genes defective) should not be used for breeding.
Help!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the contact persons for the health program!