Hi all, I have had a bit of a blow today to my future breeding plans.  My good male has been confirmed by DNA as PRA affected and am having a mini war in myself about whether or not for him to have the snip snip.
He is the first dog I have ever had that has come back as affected.  All the others are clear or carriers.
I know he can be used on PRA clear girls but the line I was planning on following has nothing but carrier girls to stud him too.  So we wont go down that line.  I really dont think another line would be suitable for him and his traits so should I have him neutered now out the way?
He has done well in the show ring but I think he has gone as far as he will so we were planning to take him out of the show ring after this season anyway so we can concerntrate on our younger dogs.
Also can anyone tell me the implications of having a pra affected dog, will he go completely blind? Or does it depend?
I have looked into the disease but the info out there seems to contradict itself a lot on affected dogs so would like to hear any personal experiences of the disease.

Emma

If he were mine it'd be the end of his stud career - I'd castrate him to remove my own temptation to do the wrong thing.

I too would neuter. Accidents can/do happen, no matter how vigilant you are. Or someone may come to you and you may be tempted. How would you feel if any/all of the resulting pups were diagnosed with PRA? I would be gutted.

I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation - not nice at all when your plans come crashing down but most importantly when it affects the health of your much loved dogs. 

You asked about blindness so that's what I will answer - it's your choice whether or not to have him neutered and you seem like a level headed and sensible person who knows deep down what the right thing to do is, so I shan't preach!

I have a bitch who was DNA tested affected at about 7 weeks old then failed her eye certificate for PRA at 3 years old.  It is variable as to when they actually go blind.  It's late onset usually and certainly in my breed, blindness often doesn't set in even in old age - they often die before they actually show any symptoms.  Really, you just need to watch and wait.  Have his eyes tested each year if you want to know the state of the condition at that time but other than that, carry on the way you were in terms of lifestyle for the chap.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Sorry it was meant to say 17 weeks not 7!

Sorry to hear your news about your boy,If this is of any help to you.I belong to the dachshund forum and there is lots of information and help on there :http://dachunds.madmooseforum.com .There is some very useful information about P R A .Good Luck Gwen

Hi thanks to all especially the advice on the disease itself.
I am having him neutured (booked in for tomorrow/friday) as I think to find a suitable line for him with a clear bitch will be near on impossible.  This way it takes away his urges which seem to be very strong in him.  Thankfully now more people are screening I will never end up with an affected dog again.

Emma