Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Factors linked to sudden retinal degeneration in 151 dogs
By Auten, Candace R et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2018·Companion Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cofactors associated with Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome: 151 dogs within a reference population.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 151 dogs diagnosed with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) were studied to understand which factors might be linked to this condition. The affected dogs were mostly middle-aged, smaller breeds, with Dachshunds being the most common. Many of the dogs were spayed females, suggesting they might be at higher risk for developing SARDS. This study highlights the need for further research into the genetic factors that could contribute to this eye condition in certain breeds.
People also search for: dog eye problems SARDS · Dachshund vision loss · spayed female dog eye disease
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.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28845542/