Cofactors associated with Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome: 151 dogs within a reference population

Abstract

Objective To determine factors associated with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) diagnosed within one referral population. Animals Studied 151 dogs diagnosed with SARDS. Procedures Breed, age, sex, and body weight were compared between dogs with electroretinogram-confirmed SARDS and dogs presented to the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD-VMTH) from 1991 to 2014. Results SARDS was diagnosed in 151 dogs, representing 1.3% of dogs presented to the UCD-VMTH for ophthalmic disease. Although dogs of 36 breeds were affected, the Dachshund (n = 31, 21%), Schnauzer (16, 11%), Pug (11, 7%), and Brittany (5, 3%) were significantly overrepresented, and the Labrador Retriever (3, 2%) was significantly underrepresented vs. the reference population (P < 0.001). Median (range) age and body weight of affected vs. reference dogs were 8.9 (3-20) vs. 6.8 (0.1-26) years and 12.4 (2.8-52.7) vs. 22.3 (0.1-60) kg, respectively. Dogs 6-10 years of age and between 10-20 kg in body weight were significantly overrepresented in the SARDS population, while dogs <6 years of age were significantly underrepresented (P < 0.01). Spayed females (59% of affected dogs) were significantly overrepresented compared to the reference population, whereas intact females (1% of affected dogs) were significantly underrepresented. Conclusions Consistent with previous studies, smaller, middle-aged, spayed female dogs may be at increased risk of developing SARDS. Unlike previous studies, this is the first study comparing a variety of SARDS-affected breeds to a reference population. Potentially increased risk of SARDS in several breeds, particularly Dachshunds, suggests a familial factor that warrants further investigation using genetic techniques.

Optical coherence tomography and molecular analysis of sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) eyes suggests the immune‐mediated nature of retinal damage

“…Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome was first reported almost four decades ago; however, the precise etiology of the disease is still being extensively debated without a clear consensus on its exact nature . SARDS is most frequently seen in middle aged/older females of small breeds, with mixed‐breed dogs, Dachshunds, Pugs, and Miniature Schnauzers being the most frequently affected, which corresponds to our findings in this study . Previous studies found a relatively high incidence of metabolic abnormalities, such as polyuria and polydipsia (38%, 30%), polyphagia (19%, 20%), and alkaline phosphatase elevation (37%, 28%), which was also in good accord with our findings in similar percentages.…”

“…1 SARDS is most frequently seen in middle aged/older females of small breeds, with mixed-breed dogs, Dachshunds, Pugs, and Miniature Schnauzers being the most frequently affected, which corresponds to our findings in this study. 2,3,24,25 Previous studies found a relatively high incidence of metabolic abnormalities, such as polyuria and polydipsia (38%, 2 30% 3 ), polyphagia (19%, 2 20% 3 ), and alkaline phosphatase elevation (37%, 2 28% 3 ), which was also in good accord with our findings in similar percentages. The most recent study of a Canadian patient population, however, revealed much higher incidence of metabolic abnormalities in SARDS patients.…”

Evaluation of retinal morphology of canine sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome using optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography

“…Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) is a common cause of incurable vision loss in dogs seen by veterinary ophthalmologists . It is characterized by an acute loss of vision in initially ophthalmoscopically normal eyes combined with an extinguished electroretinogram (ERG) . The typical signalment of dogs with SARDS is a middle aged to older, moderately overweight, mixed breed dog .…”

“…1 It is characterized by an acute loss of vision in initially ophthalmoscopically normal eyes combined with an extinguished electroretinogram (ERG). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The typical signalment of dogs with SARDS is a middle aged to older, moderately overweight, mixed breed dog. [4][5][6][9][10][11] Transient clinical signs including polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia are present in up to 85% of dogs diagnosed with SARDS.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The typical signalment of dogs with SARDS is a middle aged to older, moderately overweight, mixed breed dog. [4][5][6][9][10][11] Transient clinical signs including polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia are present in up to 85% of dogs diagnosed with SARDS. 1,[4][5][6][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Additionally, up to 75% of dogs with SARDS have laboratory abnormalities.…”