title: Sudden acquired retinal degeneration in dogs: breed distribution of 495 canines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe breed, age, gender, and weight distribution of dogs affected with sudden acquired retinal degeneration (SARD) and to investigate whether SARD is more common in small breed dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of dogs diagnosed with SARD confirmed by an electroretinogram were reviewed. Breed, age, gender, and weight were recorded when available. The same data were obtained for dogs with SARD described in the veterinary literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and two dogs were included from the ophthalmology practices and 193 dogs from the veterinary literature. Sixty breeds were present in the study. Mixed-breed dogs were the most common at 108 dogs (21.8%), followed by the Dachshund (68, 13.7%), Chinese Pug (44, 8.9%), Miniature Schnauzer (39, 7.9%), Maltese (23, 4.6%), Cocker Spaniel (22, 4.4%), Bichon Frise (18, 3.6%), Beagle (16, 3.2%), Brittany (15, 3.0%), and Pomeranian (10, 2.0%). Fifty other breeds were represented by 1-9 dogs each. The median age was 9 years (range = 10 months-16 years). The weight was known for 197 dogs. About 60.9% of dogs were less than 25 pounds, 31.5% were between 25 and 50 pounds, and 7.6% were greater than 50 pounds. Gender was recorded in 393 dogs: 217 female dogs and 176 male dogs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As previously reported, SARD is most common in middle-aged to older dogs. Smaller dogs of less than 25 pounds appear overrepresented, while large/giant breed dogs of greater than 50 pounds are infrequently diagnosed. In this study, there was no statistical significance between female and male dogs.
authors.affiliation: The Animal Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.affiliation: The Animal Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Woerdt
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Eye Specialists, PLLC, Ardsley, NY, USA.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gaarder
authors.affiliation: Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Plainview, NY, USA.
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sapienza
authors.affiliation: Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Plainview, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Merino
authors.affiliation: Eye Care for Animals, Warwick, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.affiliation: Animal Eye Associates, Maitland, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Melanie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Church
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island, West Islip, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Noelle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: La Croix
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D004285:Dogs; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D008297:Male; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013045:Species Specificity
keywords: blindness; dogs; sudden acquired retinal degeneration