Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in the Bengal)

Bengal Progressive Retinal Atrophy is characterized by an early-onset degeneration of the retinal photoreceptors with a rapid progression to blindness. The rod photoreceptors degenerate first with reduced rod function seen at about seven weeks of age. The cone photoreceptors degenerate next with reduced cone function seen at about nine weeks of age. Signs of disease include dilated pupils, a hyper-reflective tapetum and attenuated blood vessels. Visual deficits are behaviorally evident in cats by one year of age with night vision affected first. Early indications of visual compromise may include disorientation and lack of awareness of changes to the surroundings. Affected cats may accidentally bump into things and become more vocal.

Although this condition results in vision loss and eventual blindness, many cats adapt remarkably well to vision loss. Owners may find that it is helpful to keep the cat's main environment as stable as possible (avoid moving food bowl, water bowl, litter box, furniture, etc.) to help them navigate as vision worsens. To avoid startling the cat, speak to and stroke the cat before picking them up and set them back down in an area where they can easily orient themselves, such as next to their food bowl. Use toys that make a noise (ex. balls with bells) for play. Caretakers should take precautions to protect the cat from threats it cannot visually detect (ex. stairs, pools, moving vehicles). Owners should also be advised that their cat cannot safely roam freely outdoors due to its compromised vision.

There are many responsibilities to consider when breeding cats. Regardless of test results it is important that your cat is in good general health and that you are in a position to care for the kittens if new responsible owners are not found. For first time or novice breeders, advice can be found at most cat registry websites.

This disease is autosomal recessive meaning that two copies of the mutation are needed for disease signs to be shown. A carrier cat with one copy of the Bengal Progressive Atrophy mutation can be safely bred with a clear cat with no copies of the Bengal Progressive Atrophy mutation. About half of the kittens will have one copy (carriers) and half will have no copies of the Bengal Progressive Atrophy mutation. Kittens in a litter which is expected to contain carriers should be tested prior to breeding. Carrier to carrier matings are not advised as the resulting litter may contain affected kittens. Please note: It is possible that disease signs similar to the ones caused by the Bengal Progressive Atrophy mutation could develop due to a different genetic or clinical cause.