American cocker spaniels are among breeds that may suffer from progressive retinal atrophy. MARY SUSAN BILLINGSLEY Visit the Photo Place

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Blind optimism Loss of sight doesn't keep a good dog down

Loss of sight doesn't keep a good dog down. By Sarah A. Ferrell

Date published: 1/28/2006

PROGRESSIVE retinal atrophy is an eye disease that can occur at almost any age, and progresses at various rates of speed. Dogs who suffer from PRA often become blind.

Many dog breeds are affected: schnauzers, corgis, collies, Great Danes, Gordon and Irish setters, elkhounds, Akitas, Australian cattle dogs, Australian shepherds, American and English cocker spaniels, beagles, dachshunds, English springer spaniels, German shepherds, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, poodles (miniature and toy), Rottweilers, Shetland sheep dogs and several terrier breeds all have high incidence rates of PRA.

Careful, dedicated dog breeders are vigilant in identifying dogs who may pass on this blinding disorder, and to remove affected dogs from their breeding programs.

The diagnosis of PRA is in no way a death sentence for the affected dog who will learn to cope with losing his or her sight.

Ask anyone who has shared home and heart with a blind dog and you will find endless tales of coping and bravery, of mastering new skills and finding joy in all the senses. A dog may lose his sight, but his sense of touch, smell, taste and hearing remain to guide him to enjoy his life and love his people as well as he ever did before blindness darkened his sight.

Our dogs teach us that life goes on. The best we can do for our dogs is to educate ourselves to make their lives full and safe no matter what befalls them.

Kim Bolster rescued Morgan when he was 3 years old. She was Morgan's third owner. Before Morgan came to Bolster, he had spent his young life in a crate 20 hours a day, with no one to play with him or appreciate what a beautiful, playful dog he was.

At age 5, and by then living with Bolster as his family, Morgan was diagnosed with PRA that was signaled to his family vet by a glassy cataract in one eye. Morgan demonstrated no behavior traits of visual difficulty, but was referred to Animal Eye Care's Dr. Michael Blair in Richmond. Blair monitored Morgan's development of PRA, which worsened over several months, first in one eye and then another.

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Date published: 1/28/2006