Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA) is a common disease in Cocker Spaniels dogs characterized by progressive loss of retinal function and disappearance of photoreceptors. The disease is bilateral, hereditary, autosomal recessive, has no sexual predisposition and is frequently associated with cataracts. According to molecular studies the degeneration occurs by a mutation in different genes. In American Cocker Spaniels dogs the disease is observed between three and five years of age and in English Cocker Spaniels between four and eight years old. The clinical signs are: nyctalopia, tapetal hyperreflexia and cataracts. The diagnosis is based on clinical history, ophthalmologic examination and complementary exams such as electroretinography, ocular ultrasound and genetic testing. This article aimed to conduct a review of literature on the generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA) in Cocker Spaniel dogs with cataracts.
retinal; Cocker Spaniels; cataract; retinal degeneration
