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Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a family of inherited eye diseases affecting the retina which ultimately result in blindness. In shelties, the disease has been seen from 3 to 5 years age. And the diagnose has been General PRA.
One of the problems with PRA is that the disease is recessive, which means that two healthy animals can produce offspring with PRA if they both are carriers of the gene which cause PRA. There is no way of telling who is a carrier or not. The goal for the research is to find a DNA-test to enable breeders to send in a blood sample and determine whether or not a dog has PRA, is a carrier of PRA, or is clear. This also allows breeders to plan breedings that they can guarantee will not produce any pups that will be affected by PRA. The Norwegian Sheltie Club has decided to be responsible for the PRA research project, that started in March 2002. We therefore ask you all for help - we need the DNA test NOW!!! Click the banner above to learn more.
I have been involved with the PRA-project from the start, by contributing with my art on Sheltie Christmas cards that has been sold in Scandinavia. All profits have gone directly to the PRA-project. March 2006: The PRA-project has reached the goal! The research has started. You will find all the information you need on NSSKs webpage or by contacting their secretary, Ingrid Myklebostad myklebostad@online.no
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