Rod-Cone Dysplasia 4

Rod-cone dysplasia 4 (RCD4) (PRA-rcd4) is a late-onset inherited eye disorder that affects numerous dog breeds, including various poodle mixes and setter breeds. This condition results from a mutation in the PCARE gene, causing progressive degeneration of retinal photoreceptor cells. RCD4 is autosomal recessive, so a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene to be affected. The disease typically manifests between 7 to 12 years of age, leading to gradual vision loss and potentially complete blindness.