Immune-Mediated Retinopathy. A new cause of blindness in dogs has been discovered by a veterinarian at Iowa State University, The disease, is called Immune-Mediated Retinopathy, or IMR. It affects the function of retinal cells of dog’s eyes, and in some cases, blindness results. IMR is very similar to a previously known ocular disorder called Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome or SARDS. Both diseases occur when the dog produces cells called antibodies that attack his own retinal cells. The antibodies mistake retinal cells for cancerous tumors or tissues that need to be destroyed. In the process of attacking the retinal cells, the auto antibodies cause the retinal cells to lose function and the dog to lose some or all of his vision.
The difference between IMR and SARDS that the auto antibodies that attack the retinal cells in SARDS patients are produced in the eye. In the newly identified IMR, they found that these auto antibodies are produced elsewhere in the dog and travel via the blood to the eyes. Approximately 2,000 cases of SARDS occur every year. Some of those cases may now be identified as IMR, and treated differently. Treatment for IMR can have a relatively high success rate. Treatment is successful in nearly 60 percent of the Immune-Mediated Retinopathy cases. Since IMR has only recently been identified, there are no statistics on how many dogs this disease affects.
There is a test to differentiate the two types of retinopathy. By shining colored lights in the dog’s eyes pupil’s constriction is accessed. If the pupils constrict poorly while the doctor uses the red light, and have normal constriction when blue light is used, the patient most likely suffers from IMR. If the eyes respond to blue lights, but not red lights, then the diagnosis is SARDS. Tests show SARDS-affected eyes have almost no electrical activity. IMR-affected eyes have some electrical activity, and the retinal cells are not destroyed but have only lost function. Now that the origin of the problem is known, vision has been successfully restored in several dogs.
Since these two diseases are similar to those affecting people, so treatment for humans may not be far off. This represents a giant leap. As we increase our knowledge and understanding of this disorder, therapeutic options for dogs will pave the future for human vision restoration.
Our 4 year old fe pug was diagnosed yesterday with IMR.She currently has vision in her left eye and we hope to it with predisone and doxycycline for 3 weeks! However this can be reoccuring and eventually cause total loss of vision. All we can do is keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. Dr. Bruce Silverman diagnosed this disease.
Hi Robyn
I am glad to help you.
I have a wonderful natural, herbal eye product that would definately help to improve and promote his vision.
Please take a look at it-it is online at chagrinfallspetclinic.com, under dog category eyes.
I am available to talk to you.
My toll free number is 1-866-372-2765.
Thank you
Dr Carol
Hi Carol,
I am writing to you in the hope you can help my best friend Banjo. He is a 9 year old Australian Cattle Dog x Australian Kelpie. He has just been diagnosed with SARDS. He currently has limited sight in his left eye and not much in his right eye. Is there anything you can suggest that can help me save this precious gift of sight for him. He currently weighs 44Kgs and has arthritis. I seem to think the anti inflammatories could have been a factor in his eyesight problems. He is taking Rymadyl 100mg half a tablet twice a day.
Please Help Me I will do anyhitng for my best friend
Hi Sharon,
Rimadyl is not without serious adverse side effects but I do not believe it has been linked to SARDS. I can offer you a wonderful natural, herbal eye suplement, available at chagrinfallspetclinic.com. I am also glad to talk to you and offer my suggestions. In addition, natural vitamin supplements such as PAAWS, which when given along with my Hip & Joint Support product effectively relieves arthritis so that you can reduce and in time eliminate the Rimadyl.
I am available toll free at 1-866-372-2765 if you would like to discuss this further.
Thank you
Dr Carol
Hi Carol,
Thank you for your response, I have taken your advice and ordered some of your eye supplement. I will be ordering some of your other products as well. I would love to talk to you and discuss my dogs eyesight with you unfortunately I live in Australia and cannot call overseas numbers. Is there any other way I can chat to you?
Regards
Sharon
I just had my dog treated at Iowa State University. They have determined some SARDS cases are actually an auto-immune disease. Here is their link;http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304173310.htm
Contact Dr. Grozdanic, head of dept.
Hi Jim
I appreciate you sharing this and if I can offer you nay help I am glad to. I have a wonderful natural herbal eye supplement you might take a look at that I have used successfully for several dogs with SARDS. Visit chagrinfallspetclinic.com: look under dogs-eye care. I am glad to talk to you and am available toll free at 1-866-372-2765.
Thank you
Dr Carol
Hello carol
We found a daborman 5 days ago, since then we found it blind. can’t say whether it happened by birth or by infection. Local doc. prescribes a drug i’ve already e-mailed the name to you. what can i do to recover its vision.
THANKYOU Doc.,
Hello
I am glad to help with this and will need a bit more information to make appropriate suggestions for your dogs blindness.
Please call our veterinary office toll free at 866 372 2765-then we can discuss
Thank you
Dr Carol
Hi Carol,
I have a three year old Westie that has been diagnosed with dry eye six months ago. I don’t like the thought of using optimmune fir the rest of his life and wanted something natural or organic that might even cure his dry eye. I wash his eyes with camomile tea at the moment.
I live in Australia but welcome any suggestion you might have.
Thank you
Regards,
Anna
Anna,
I would recommend Dr.Carols Eye Restore, and the Eye Essentials Product.