PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy

PRA was confirmed in Glens in 1996. It took more than a decade, but fortunately we now have a simple blood test for the genetic mutation that causes PRA in Glens. Dogs affected with this inherited disease, known as crd3, usually develop late-onset progressive blindness.

Glen breeders now have the tools to avoid ever again creating a

blind dog. As long as at least one parent in a mating has two normal/clear genes, none of the puppies will ever go blind from crd3. Breeders MUST make use of the blood test for their breeding stock to accomplish this!

Progressive retinal Atrophy, cone-Rod dystrophy 3 (PRA-crd3) is an adult-onset inherited eye disease affecting Glen of Imaal Terriers. PRA-crd3 occurs as a result of degeneration of both rod and cone type Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina, which are important for vision in dim and bright light, respectively. Affected dogs initially have changes in reflectivity and appearance of a structure behind the retina called the Tapetum that is typically observed on a veterinary eye exam at 3 years of age. Between 3 and 5 years of age affected dogs show signs of vision loss in dim light (night blindness) and loss of peripheral vision. Gradually visual deficits progress to complete vision loss over several years.

DM – Degenerative Myelopathy

DM was identified in Glen of Imaal Terriers in 2019. DM is the canine equivalent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — Lou Gehrig’s disease, in humans. It affects the dog late in life, there is no cure, and unlike PRA-crd3, it is a fatal disease. However, like PRA-crd3, we have an existing genetic testing tool (a simple, inexpensive cheek swab) which breeders can use to ensure they never create another puppy at risk of developing the disease.

All Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of Canada member breeders must utilize this genetic tool, similar to the PRA-crd3 gene test, to prevent creating puppies at risk for DM.

Degenerative Myelopathy is a debilitating disease that causes gradual paralysis in many dog breeds. It is caused by a degeneration of the spinal cord that onsets typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It presents first with the loss of coordination of the hind legs. It will typically worsen over six months to a year, resulting in paralysis of the hind legs. If signs progress for a longer period of time, loss of urinary and fecal continence may occur and eventually, weakness will develop in the front limbs. An important feature of Degenerative Myelopathy is that it is not a painful disease.