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VSPN AOW : Long-term outcome of sudd...
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Long-term outcome of sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome in dogs.J Am Vet Med Assoc. November 2013;243(10):1425-31.1 Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.
AbstractOBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term outcomes and owner-perceived quality of life associated with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) in dogs. DESIGN: Survey study. Animals-100 dogs with SARDS examined at 5 academic veterinary institutions from 2005 to 2010. PROCEDURES:The diagnosis was based on documented acute vision loss, normal results of ophthalmic examinations, and evaluation of extinguished bright-flash electroretinograms. Primary owners of affected dogs completed a questionnaire addressing outcome measures including vision, systemic signs, and perceived quality of life for their dogs. RESULTS: Age at diagnosis was significantly correlated with positive outcome measures; dogs in which SARDS was diagnosed at a younger age were more likely to have alleged partial vision and higher owner-perceived quality of life. Polyphagia was the only associated systemic sign found to increase in severity over time. Medical treatment was attempted in 22% of dogs; visual improvement was not detected in any. Thirty-seven percent of respondents reported an improved relationship with their dog after diagnosis, and 95% indicated they would discourage euthanasia of dogs with SARDS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Blindness and concurrent systemic signs associated with SARDS appeared to persist indefinitely, but only polyphagia increased in severity over time. Most owners believed their pets had good quality of life and would discourage euthanasia of dogs with SARDS.
Companion NotesSurvey on the long-term outcome of sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) in 100 dogs
Study design - introduction on sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome in the dog - diagnosis based on the following: - sudden vision loss - normal fundus appearance - nonrecordable electroretinogram - results in permanent blindness (no known consistently effective treatment) - unknown etiology - median age of affected dogs: 8.5 years of age - females account for ~ 60% of affected dogs - consistently overrepresented breeds include the following: - dachshund - miniature schnauzer - mixed-breed dogs - up to 40% of SARDS dogs have concurrent systemic signs - these are noted weeks to months before or soon after diagnosis - polyuria/polydipsia - polyphagia - weight gain - systemic signs are similar to the signs of hyperadrenocorticism - nevertheless disorder has been diagnosed in only a few SARDS dogs - biochemistry is also similar to that of hyperadrenocorticism and may include: - hypercholesterolemia - increased aspartate transaminase - increased alanine transaminase - increased corticosteroid-induced isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase - inconsistently seen parameters include the following: - stress leukogram - thrombocytosis - isosthenuria - proteinuria - systemic hypertension - study population: - 100 dogs with SARDS seen at 5 academic institutions from 05-10 - diagnosis based on the following: - documented acute vision loss - normal ophthalmic examinations - extinguished bright-flash electroretinography - 46 were alive and 54 were deceased - 10 of the 39 dogs euthanized were euthanized due to SARDS - female, 60% of the dogs - mean age at diagnosis: 8.2 ± 2.2 years of age with a range of 4-16 years - breeds representing 5% or more of sample population: - mixed breed, 17 - dachshund, 15 - miniature schnauzer, 9 - pug, 7 - Brittany spaniel, 6 - bichon frise, 5 - maltese, 5 - clinical signs (16% of dogs had no clinical signs besides blindness) - 42% of the dogs had all 4 signs below - weight gain, 75% - polyphagia, 69% - polydipsia, 58% - polyuria, 52% - procedure: - primary owners of affected dogs completed a questionnaire
Results - 95% indicated they would discourage euthanasia of affected dogs - age at diagnosis significantly correlated with positive outcome measures - affected dogs diagnosed at a younger age more likely to have the following: - alleged partial vision (45% reported pets had partial vision at times) - higher owner-perceived quality of life - 1 systemic sign was found to increase in severity over time: polyphagia - medical treatment attempted in 22% of dogs - no visual improvement detected in any dog by their owners - corticosteroids, 13 dogs - nutritional supplements, 3 - melatonin, 2 - doxycycline, 2 - 37% of respondents felt their relationship with their dog improved after diagnosis - after diagnosis owners were significantly more likely to report dogs were more: (as compared with reporting dogs were reclusive or seemed uncomfortable) - cautious - played less - slept more - seemed to have more signs of depression - 87% reported dog had moderate to excellent scores for navigation ability in house - 81% reported dog had moderate to excellent scores for navigation ability in yard - 48% did not make special provisions for their blind dog - 28% provided baby gates; 11% built fences and 5% used restraints like cages - 4% built ramps to assist with stairs - 3% taught dogs verbal commands to alert them to changes in topography - 2% provided carpeted pathways to important locations - 2% provided auditory clues or scents to signify certain locations
“Results of the present study suggested that dogs with SARDS were considered by their owners to have a good to excellent quality of life.”
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