pra in abyssinian cats

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of inherited eye diseases that can lead to blindness in Abyssinian cats. There are two types of PRA that can affect Abyssinian cats:

• PRA rdAc: This is the most common type of PRA in Abyssinian cats. It is an autosomal recessive disease, meaning that a cat must inherit two copies of the defective gene to be affected. PRA rdAc typically develops in cats between 1 and 5 years of age.
• PRA rdy: This is a rarer type of PRA in Abyssinian cats. It is an autosomal dominant disease, meaning that a cat only needs to inherit one copy of the defective gene to be affected. PRA rdy typically develops in cats between 6 and 12 months of age.

There is no cure for PRA, but there are treatments that can help to slow the progression of the disease and improve the cat's quality of life. These treatments may include dietary changes, medication, and surgery.

If you are considering getting an Abyssinian cat, it is important to have the cat tested for PRA before breeding. This will help to reduce the risk of passing the disease on to future generations.

Here are some tips for caring for an Abyssinian cat with PRA:

• Provide the cat with a safe and predictable environment.
• Avoid moving furniture or changing the layout of your home too often.
• Use night lights to help the cat navigate in the dark.
• Feed the cat in a consistent location.
• Train the cat to respond to voice commands.
• Take the cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups.

With proper care, an Abyssinian cat with PRA can live a long and happy life.