SARDS stands for Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome and it effects as many as 4,000 dogs each year, generally between the ages of 7 and 14 years. SARDS is not specifically associated with any breed or geographic location. The scariest part of SARDS is how quickly it happens.

For some dogs, it seems to be almost over night. For others, owners notice a degree of vision deterioration over a five to ten day period accompanied by changes in appetite and water consumption. Research indicates that dogs with SARDS have total destruction of the visual cell layer of the retina with subsequent blindness.

Now there is some potentially good news. Veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Sinisa Grozdanic and his team at Iowa State University have reported that they have successfully treated two dogs with SARDS, reversing blindness and restoring some vision. The dogs were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), a human blood product that contains antibodies from the plasma of thousands of blood donors.

It is used to treat immune deficiencies, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases. Diagnostic tests for SARDS cost about $700. If the dog is a good candidate for treatment, hospitalization and intensive care fees will be about $1,200. The IVIg cost will be between $35-40 per pound of the dog’s body weight, according to the Newswire report on Dr. Grozdanic’s research.

Because it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible, Grozdanic recommends owners visit the nearest veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as a dog exhibits any loss in vision.

SARDS article

Posted by Barbara.

Barbara also writes for Unique Or Unusual.