PRA or CERF

I am trying to figure out which test is really more reliable. I am all for doing appropriate health testing for my dogs, but don't want to waste money on something that doesn't mean a whole lot. I have the PRA testing kits at home, but haven't done the swabs yet since there has been some conflicting information about the accuracy of the test.

Which eye test do you prefer and why??

Great question Angie!!!

Money wise......PRA is probably the route to go "IMO". Cerf is available at most dog shows and can be done yrly but is around $25-$35 per dog per yr, opposed to $40 for PRA and is suppose to be good for life. I have done mostly Cerf's on my show dogs but I am seriously considering trying PRA with a few of my new creams!

There is no either/or on these tests, in my view. The reason is that the genetic test for Cord1 PRA only tests for the genetic susceptability to that form of PRA. The CERF test is for examining the eye yearly for all the other many, many issues that a dogs eye can have, including other forms of PRA. The Cord1 PRA test is good for assisting in making breeding decisions to eliminate that one issue from the gene pool (or at least make sure you're not breeding to produce affecteds), but the CERF test captures all the other possible problems.

I'm so silly, I typed a response and forgot to submit now I have to start all over. I agree with Kathleen and would like to add.

I personally like CERF.... Look @ what a CERF form covers and then compare that to PRA. I have the PRA swabs here, and they have been sitting for over a year. I'm going by the advice of 2 different Ophthalmologist that have said at this point it is a waste of money. Now, on the other hand, if I run into some extra cash flow and want to throw it out the window for curiosity sake, I will do the PRA test. I just fell for my buck, I'm getting alot more covered with the CERF. The Opthamologists come out every other year and they said if they find PRA then that would be a test they recommend for those lines, until then they just do not find that it's an issue.

It does seem that the Cream breeders would benefit from it. I just don't want to bank my program on it. But, I do agree it is helpful.

I have always done Cerf's in the past so after what I have just read......I may just continue to do the Cerf's! I guess since I have never actually done PRA before....I didn't realize how little it may actually cover. So maybe I will just continue with the Cerf testing as usual!!

I do both, but I know someone with an affected dog that is going blind. It brings it home to me, so it's important to me not to produce a puppy with that issue. And for $40.00, it's not a particularly expensive test (but to be fair, I only had one to deal with until this litter of puppies when I paid for four at once). I CERF at the dog shows, and I had the hips/knees/patellas/shoulders checked-that was definitely on the pricier side.

Testing at the shows? Wow! That's pretty cool. Who does the testing and you get results back how fast?

Dave wrote:Testing at the shows? Wow! That's pretty cool. Who does the testing and you get results back how fast?

Dave.....for instance....Saturday, Nov 27th they are having a CERF Eye Clinic conducted by Margaret Foss, DVM,DACVO.......cost is $30.00 (does not include the cost of registering with CERF) at the Tallmadge, Ohio show. I think they mail you the results or they have you wait for them afterwards. I honestly can't remember cause it has been a couple of yrs since I did my Aussies!! Pheonix was done by my handler the last time, so she has all that....LOL!!!

That's awesome.

Admin wrote:

Dave wrote:Testing at the shows? Wow! That's pretty cool. Who does the testing and you get results back how fast?

Dave.....for instance....Saturday, Nov 27th they are having a CERF Eye Clinic conducted by Margaret Foss, DVM,DACVO.......cost is $30.00 (does not include the cost of registering with CERF) at the Tallmadge, Ohio show. I think they mail you the results or they have you wait for them afterwards. I honestly can't remember cause it has been a couple of yrs since I did my Aussies!! Pheonix was done by my handler the last time, so she has all that....LOL!!!

They give you the results right there-it's an eye exam just like we have (except the dogs don't read the eye chart ) and they give you a clear result immediately after the eye exam, or tell you what issues might be cropping up. I liked it. And the clinics at the shows are great. When Millie's were done, I entered that show just to have the CERF done-it was cheaper to pay the entry and the clinic fee than to have the CERF done by a veterinary opthalmologist. In fact, the show we had it done at is coming up in just a few weeks again. I'm going to delay Millie's next one until the next show I take her to with a clinic though, and I'll get Cricket's done when she's about a year old.

And just for full disclosure, Millie and Junebug are Cord1 PRA carriers and Cricket is clear.

Thank you Kathleen. I was thinking they had given me the results right there and filled it all out......cause for some reason I remember having to hang around in the building......I do remember that they put drops in the dogs eyes, wait a few minutes, then put them up on a table so they can get examined! This memory of mine....some things I can remember clear as day & others

Thanks, guys! I didn't realize that was you, Kathleen! Welcome

Karen, you're right-they put the drops in and you have to hang around for 15-30 minutes IIRC.

Thanks Dave-the name change threw you, huh? I'm Proud Lake on Facebook and one other forum, and ReiMurphSton everywhere else. ReiMurphSton is for my pet doggies, Reilly, Murphy & Winston, and I came up with that before I got Millie.

That's awesome, Kathleen! Yes, I was stumped! lol.

Just had both my Aussies Eye's Cerf'd.....you get the results right then and there but to send them in and have them reg...it is an additional fee. $12.00 from what I see!
Poor Jock has retinal scar on his left eye! Of course I have no clue how he got it since I haven't owned him for a long time. But she saw it.....poor boy!!!

Wow, I have to say, I can't believe this forum has been around for 2 years now!

Since this discussion, I've learned more about the PRA test, and it turns out it doesn't quite do the job it claims. They've found that there has to be another gene (yet undiscovered) to activate PRA, so your dog could come back as "affected" and never go blind unless that other gene which has no test is also present. I'm still testing, but now I'm not going to use it as a be-all, end-all any more. I'll CERF and use dogs that come back as "affected" as long as their family members and themselves have no known eye issues via CERF.