Irish Setter PRA Gene Testing — Best DNA Test

Progressive retinal atrophy is a real concern in Irish Setters — the breed carries specific PRA variants, particularly rcd1 and rcd4, that have been well-documented for decades. The good news is that genetic testing for these variants is genuinely reliable now, and knowing your dog's status is useful information even at age seven, both for your own peace of mind and if there's any chance of breeding. DNA tests for dogs have got seriously good — breed composition, health markers, trait genes — but the health screening varies a lot between providers, and for something as specific as PRA variants in a known breed, you want a test with a strong health panel rather than a budget option. Is your Setter pedigree or do you have any uncertainty about the background, and are you primarily after the PRA screening or would broader health marker coverage be useful too?

That's an important thing to flag — bumping into things in low light is actually a classic early sign of PRA, so getting this tested promptly is the right call. I do want to be straight with you: a DNA test will tell you whether she carries the gene variants associated with PRA, but it won't tell you the current state of her retinal health. If she's already showing symptoms, your vet should also examine her eyes directly — an ophthalmologist can assess the retinas and tell you whether degeneration is already underway, regardless of what the DNA shows. The two pieces of information complement each other. What test are you currently considering, or are you starting from scratch?

For this situation, I'd recommend Embark — specifically the Embark Breed + Health Kit. It screens for over 230 health conditions including the Irish Setter-relevant PRA variants (rcd1 and rcd4), gives you a clear carrier/clear/affected result, and the health reports are genuinely readable rather than buried in jargon. It's the test most veterinary geneticists point people toward when they want reliable health screening rather than just breed curiosity. The Wisdom Panel Premium is the main alternative and also covers PRA variants, but Embark's health database is larger and their result explanations are better for having an informed conversation with your vet. Given that your dog is already showing possible symptoms, having a solid, vet-credible report matters. Embark ships to the UK and is available on Amazon UK — the kit is a simple cheek swab, results come back in three to four weeks.

Honestly, no — and it's worth being clear about that. The DNA test tells you genotype, not progression rate. An 'affected' result (two copies of the variant) confirms she will develop PRA or is developing it, but the timeline varies between individual dogs and isn't something genetics alone can predict. Age of onset and speed of progression are influenced by other factors we don't fully understand yet. What an affected result does do is give you and your vet a confirmed diagnosis to work with, which shapes the conversation about monitoring, environmental adjustments at home, and what to watch for next. The vet eye examination is really the piece that tells you where she is right now in terms of actual retinal health. The DNA result and the clinical exam together give you the full picture.

That's exactly the right approach — running both in parallel means you won't be waiting on DNA results before getting clinical eyes on the situation. The Embark kit on Amazon UK is straightforward: swab, register online, post it back. When the results come through, the health section will have a shareable report you can send to your vet ahead of the appointment, which saves explaining everything from scratch. I hope the results give you clarity — and whatever they show, catching this early and monitoring it properly is the best thing you can do for her.