Clinical Manifestations and Therapeutic Outcomes of Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome in Dogs: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical manifestations in dogs with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS), and to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes. One hundred dogs presented with SARDS between January 2005 and December 2016 at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University. This study included dogs with a history of acute vision loss and, absence of ophthalmic lesions consistent with the degree of vision loss. Among them, SARDS was diagnosed by using electroretinogram, clinical signs and ophthalmic examination. Medical records including breed, age, gender, weight, serum biochemistry, season of diagnosis, and clinical signs were reviewed when available. The incidence rate of SARDS was 2.4%. The most frequently affected breeds were the Maltese (40), Schnauzer (23), Cocker Spaniel (10), and Shih-Tzu (9) in order. The gender of SARDS-affected dogs comprised 55 male dogs and 45 female dogs. The mean age of SARDS patients was 8.3 ± 2.6 yr. Of the dogs diagnosed with SARDS, Cushings-like signs were observed in 35 dogs. The median body weight of SARDS patients was 6.5 ± 3.5 kg

approximately 72.9% weighed less than 9 kg. Forty-four dogs were prescribed systemic steroids

of those, 4 dogs regained vision (4/44, 9.1%). In conclusions, middle-aged to older dogs were commonly affected by SARDS. Smaller dogs, less than 9 kg, appeared overrepresented. There were no significant gender-related differences. Also, if the patient is confirmed as SARDS, high-dose steroid can be a good therapeutic trial for regaining the patients vision.