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Rod-Cone Dysplasia 3

Rod-Cone Dysplasia 3 (rcd3) is an eye disorder affecting the development of retinal photoreceptors at the back of the eye, resulting in vision loss.

Found in

1 in 1,700 dogs

in our testing

Key Signs

Night blindness, Loss of vision, Blindness

Age of Onset

0 to 2 yrs

Juvenile onset

Inheritance

Autosomal Recessive

For autosomal recessive disorders, dogs with two copies of the variant are at risk of developing the condition. Dogs with one copy of the variant are considered carriers and are usually not at risk of developing the disorder. However, carriers of some complex variants grouped in this category may be associated with a low risk of developing the disorder. Individuals with one or two copies may pass the disorder-associated variant to their puppies if bred.

Likelihood of the Condition

High likelihood

At risk dogs are highly likely to show signs of this disease in their lifetime.

What to Do

Here’s how to care for a dog with rcd3

Partner with your veterinarian to make a plan regarding your dog’s well-being, including any insights provided through genetic testing. If your pet is at risk or is showing signs of this disorder, then the first step is to speak with your veterinarian.

For Veterinarians

Here’s what a vet needs to know about rcd3

As a first sign, a puppy affected by rcd3 has weak or non-existent night vision which is due to a developmental defect in retinal rod cells. The cone cells will also show reduced function early on in an affected dog's lifetime and impair day vision. First ophthalmoscopic evidence is usually observed by the age of 3 months, followed by blindness usually by 1 year of age. Some dogs retain partial vision until 3 to 4 years of age.

A blind dog tends to adapt well to the loss of vision. However, some dogs may exhibit a tentativeness when introduced to unknown environments because their vision is compromised. Occasionally, they may react abruptly (snapping) if they are startled so caution and use of verbal queues should be taken when handling a blind dog. Caretakers should take precautions to protect the blind dog from threats it cannot detect (ex. cliffs, sharp points on furniture, moving vehicles).

For Breeders

Planning to breed a dog with this genetic variant?

There are many responsibilities to consider when breeding dogs. Regardless of test results it is important that your dog is in good general health and that you are in a position to care for the puppies if new responsible owners are not found. For first time or novice breeders, advice can be found at most kennel club websites.

This disease is autosomal recessive meaning that two copies of the mutation are needed for disease signs to occur. A carrier dog with one copy of the rcd3 mutation can be safely bred with a clear dog with no copies of the rcd3 mutation. About half of the puppies will have one copy (carriers) and half will have no copies of the rcd3 mutation. Puppies in a litter which is expected to contain carriers should be tested prior to breeding. Carrier to carrier matings are not advised as the resulting litter may contain affected puppies. Please note: It is possible that disease signs similar to the ones caused by the rcd3 mutation could develop due to a different genetic or clinical cause.

Technical Details

Gene PDE6A
Variant Deletion
Chromosome 4
Coordinate 59,145,362

All coordinates reference CanFam3.1

References & Credit

Credit to our scientific colleagues:

Petersen-Jones, S. M., Entz, D. D., & Sargan, D. R. (1999). cGMP phosphodiesterase-α mutation causes progressive retinal atrophy in the Cardigan Welsh corgi dog. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. View the article

Tuntivanich, N., Pittler, S. J., Fischer, A. J., Omar, G., Kiupel, M., Weber, A., … Petersen-Jones, S. M. (2009). Characterization of a canine model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa due to a PDE6A mutation. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 50(2), 801–813. View the article