Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sudden acquired retinal degeneration in dogs may be a ciliopathy like
By Toler, Steven et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2025·ClinPharmTox, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome may be an acquired primary ciliopathy, phenotypically similar to human Alström and Bardet-Biedl syndromes.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with sudden vision loss was diagnosed with Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS), a condition that can cause rapid blindness along with increased appetite, weight gain, excessive thirst, and frequent urination. While the exact cause of SARDS is still unclear, it may be linked to problems with tiny hair-like structures in the body called primary cilia, similar to issues seen in certain human genetic disorders. Understanding SARDS as a potential acquired condition could help veterinarians find better treatments in the future. Currently, there is no specific cure, but managing the symptoms is important for the dog's quality of life.
People also search for: dog sudden vision loss · SARDS in dogs · treatment for dog weight gain and thirst
Abstract
Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) is an acquired canine disease that presents as rapidly progressive retinal degeneration, often accompanied by polyphagia, weight gain, polydipsia, polyuria, and hyposmia. Alström syndrome (AS) and Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) are rare human autosomal recessive genetic disorders marked by progressive retinopathy, polyphagia, obesity, polydipsia, polyuria, and hyposmia, with varying degrees of phenotypic severity. While the etiology of AS and BBS is partially understood, the cause of acquired SARDS remains elusive. Historically, scientific inquiry has focused on an immunologic insult and/or endocrinopathy as the cause of SARDS. Clinicians have often pointed to these Cushingoid symptoms mentioned above in SARDS patients as evidence of a contributing endocrinopathy. However, systemic cortisol concentrations, both pre- and post-ACTH stimulation, typically do not differ appreciably between normal patients and those with SARDS. Blindness due to photoreceptor degeneration, along with the observed Cushingoid symptoms, may result from dysfunctional or absent primary cilia, as documented in human AS and BBS cases. Recognizing SARDS as a possible acquired ciliopathy may be the first step toward seeking effective treatments.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40548244/