Rod-cone dysplasia 1 (RCD1)

Body function:

Eyes

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Rod-cone dysplasia 1 (RCD1) is a genetic eye disorder specifically affecting Irish Setters and Irish Red and White Setters. This rapidly progressing condition leads to early-onset blindness because of a mutation in the PDE6B gene. RCD1 follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, meaning a dog must inherit one copy from each parent to be affected.

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List of affected breeds:

Genetic research has linked this gene and condition in the following breeds:

Irish Setter

A brown and white dog with floppy ears is looking up at the camera with a big smile and its tongue hanging out.

What does this mean for a dog with this trait?

While there's no cure for RCD1, proper care can ensure a good quality of life for affected dogs. Create a safe, consistent environment, and use verbal cues and scent markers to help your dog move around your home. Genetic testing can identify carriers and affected dogs, allowing for more informed breeding decisions.

Symptoms

RCD1 symptoms begin early in a puppy's life, with the first signs typically appearing between 6 to 8 weeks of age. The initial symptom is night blindness, as rod cells responsible for low-light vision degenerate first. Affected puppies may seem clumsy or hesitant in dim lighting conditions. RCD1 advances quickly, with most affected dogs experiencing complete vision loss by one year of age.

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