Blindness cured with a shot is now a reality for pet owners whose dogs have suddenly gone blind due to a disease called SARDS. Within the last 60 days, two blind dogs can now see! SARDS stands for an eye disease called sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome. The SARDS research team led by Iowa State University veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Sinisa Grozdanic, DVM., in the College of Veterinary Medicine is responsible.
This is the first time that blindness in dogs caused by SARDS has been reversed successfully and all with just a few injections performed for a nominal fee. The treatment restored sight to two dogs that were treated this April, 2010. The therapy consists of injecting a substance called immunoglobulin (IVIg), which is a blood product from people that contains antibodies. This immunoglobulin has also been used to treat various immune disorders, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune problems in people. SARDS was first detected about 20 years ago and blinds nearly 4,000 dogs each year in the US. The dogs have a sudden loss of vision with no apparent cause or warning signs. The affected dogs eyes look normal, but their retinas have no electrical activity, which is how the diagnosis is made.
The disease in dogs has similarities to a retinal disorder that affects humans called immune mediated retinopathy, which also offered no treatment until about 10 years ago. This therapy has restored vision for two dogs afflicted with SARDS, although dogs with kidney failure and/or heart disease are not good candidates as they can not tolerate the IVIg injections. Dog with advanced degeneration of the retina are also not able to be treated.
It is important to understand that as soon as a dog get SARDS, his or her retina begins to degenerate very quickly, therefore dog owners interested in this SARDS therapy ideally need to contact Iowa State ASAP. Dogs who have been diagnosed with SARDS for 2 months or more generally will not be able to receive the IVIg because their retinal degeneration is too advanced. The sooner a dog diagnosed with SARDS is treated, the better his or her chances are for this therapy to work and restore vision. The condition of the retina in dogs with SARDS is determined by an optical coherence tomography scan. Iowa State University’s Veterinary Medicine Hospital is the only veterinary facility in the US currently using this advanced diagnostic technology.
The cost is quite reasonable all things considered. Diagnosis is $700.00 dollars. If the dog is deemed to be a good candidate for treatment, hospitalization and intensive care fees cost approximately$1,200.00 dollars. The immunoglobulin runs between $35-40 per pound of the dog’s body weight. The one factor still to be determined is just how long the treatment lasts. At this point Grozdanic and his team are not sure and believe it could last anywhere from a few months to several years. Pet owners with dogs showing any any signs of vision loss should be sure to see a veterinary eye specialist technically referred to an ophthalmologist ASAP. If SARDS is suspected and/or diagnosed in your dog, call Iowa State immediately so your dog has the very best chance of having his eye sight and vision restored.
Can you advise where you obtained this information about SARDS?
Your posting states the following:
“This is the first time that blindness in dogs caused by SARDS has been reversed successfully and all with just a few injections performed for a nominal fee. The treatment restored sight to two dogs that were treated this April, 2010.”
Were there announcements regarding SARDs treatment this year?
Thank you.
Jay
Hi Jay,
According to a press release just issued by Iowa State University, the 2 dogs both successfully treated for SARDS, with restoration of vision, occurred
this past April, 2010.
Their release also stated that they did not know how long the dogs newly restored vision would last,
but thought it might be anywhere from months to years.
I am aware of the earlier report about the SARDS dog therapy performed in 2007,
but was not able to verify thats dogs long term outcome.
I have to assume the dog’s therapy from 2007 encountered a downfall which is why the new release stated that this marked the
1st successful SARDS treatment for dogs in history.
I am available toll free at 1-866-372-2765 and glad to discuss.
Thank you
Dr Carol
is there a doctor in the New York, New Jersey area that can do the injections for sards?
not to my knowledge
Hello, very interesting article. I live in California and Im interested to know if there is such trestment in my sourounding area? If not then I should contact Iowa State Univresity, correct?
Dr. Carol,
My cat has been on Vetsulin so far without problems. I have been told that Prozinc is a good replacement and it is still a U 40 insulin which she is used to. Beside the fact that it is more expensive than the U 100 insulin you spoke of is it OK.
Thanks,
Maxie’s Mom
Hi Maxies Mom,
My strong recommendation is the Glargine, also called Detimir, rather than the Prozinc.
Glargine insulin is 100IU not 40 IU. With respect to your statement “your cat is used to U40”, please understand that whether you use U40 or U100 this
really has no significance medically for your cat at all. You would need to buy U100 syringes and in the long run you will also save money.
Remember that insulin units refer to the strength of the insulin. Dosages are calculated according to body weight and blood glucose
levels as with the U40 insulin.
I am glad to discuss. Please feel free to call our office toll free at 1-866-372-2765.
Best Wishes
Dr Carol
I live in Rhode Island and my dog, a13 lb mixed Welty breed has just been diagnosed with shards. Can you help?
ronkimmerle@gmail.com
Hi Ron-please give the office a call to inquire about an appointment
Ron our toll free phone is 866 372 2765
I stumbled upon this because my little dog is sick and nobody knows why. I am encouraged as to what I have learned here and will read on, Its a beautiful blog, thank you
Dear Dr. Osborne,
My labrador retriever was recently diagnosed with Progressive Retinal Atrophy. This was done by an opthamalogist. He looked at his eyes with different instruments. My dog began losing night vision, and the vet believes his vision will be gone completely gone within the year.
I have two questions. Is it possible that my dog could have SARDS. Is PRA treatable with the shot therapy you speak of here.
Sincerely, Patsy
Hi Patsy
From your description, it sounds like PRA, Progressive Retinal Atrophy is the correct diagnosis, not SARDS for your dog.
There is treatment available for both PRA and SARDS, however they are different.
You might look at the Eye Essentials product available at chagrinfallspetclinic.com.
The eye essentials product is natural, herbal and excellent. It would be very helpful for your dog’s PRA.
I am available to help further, please feel free to call us toll free at 866 372 2765
Thank you
Dr Carol
Dr. Carol,
I have a 8 year old dashchund who is fast losing his eyesight. Chandlers has also been unable to lose weight-he is at 34 pounds, not really fat but solid. He is really shedding hair as well. My regular vet passed away so I tried a new vet with Chandler, the man was rude and uncaring to say the least. He did shine a light into both of Chandler’s eyes, said no cataracts, no fogging, he didn’t have a clue to go see a Veterinary Ophthalmology Services. Which we will do on Wed. Can you tell me what to look for with this Vet on Wed? What test should he do? Thank you for any help.
Hi Cindy
I am sorry to hear about your dogs eye problems and glad to help. It is critical to differentiate between SARDS and other canine eye problems.
Treatment for Canine SARDS with IVIG injections, available at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine is possible within 60 days of the initial diagnosis.
Other eye conditions may or may not be an issue. Consider seeing a Board Certified Veterinary Eye Specialist who will be able to give you an exact diagnosis.
I do carry an excellent natural herbal eye product called Eye Essentials available at chagrinfallspetclinic.com which are very good you might look at.
If I can be of help feel free to call my office toll free at 1-866-372-2765.
Best Wishes
Dr Carol
Dr Carol,
My English Mastiff was diaganosed with SARDS about 3 weeks ago. She is on a steroid treatment to see if it will help, but we are coming to the end of the treatment with no luck. So that would be around $8000.00 to do a 140 pound dog? She is 6 and a half. Any other options or suggestions would be wonderful. She was diagnosed at VCA in Aurora Illinois.
Thanks,
Kelly
Kelly
Hi Kelly
Dogs with SARDS must become eligible candidates within 2 weeks of diagnosis for the IvIg therapy to be effective because after 2 weeks there usually is not enough viable retinal tissue for the therapy to be successful
I am glad to discuss so please feel free to call me.
I do carry a product called Eye Essentials available at chagrinfallspetclinic.com-this is an excellent 100% certified organic 60 count veggie cap bottle and may be a consideration for you as to help maintain and preserve any remaining viable ocular tissue your dog may have left.
Best Wishes
Dr Carol
PH 866 372 2765
Dr carol,
my dog is 9 years old and got SARD something like month ago.
he can not see anymore eat a lot and doesn’t go straight.
i’m from Israel and the vet. says that there have no cure for that.
can I do something to help him and maybe get back his vision’s.
does the immunoglobulin can help him??
how can I get it?
thanks,
reli
Hi Reli,
The IvIg immunoglobulin injections injections are only available in Iowa with Dr. Sinisa Grozdanic, DVM. The window of opportunity is within 8 weeks of SARDS diagnosis as there must be some viable retinal left for the therapy to be successful in dogs. They are treating many dogs with SARDS daily and the therapy is working to restore vision to blind dogs.
Please feel free to contact our veterinary office directly as we are glad to discuss
Thank you
Dr Carol
PH 866 372 2765
Hi Doctor Carol
My name is Alexandra, my fiances moms dog(lobbie, a cute 5 years old maltese) was diagnosed with Sards, she started loosing her vision a month ago, i read that if she is before the 2 months she still has a chance for the treatment, what would you recommend? We love Loobie, she is part of the family and is so sad seeing her like that.
Alexandra Fuentes
Alexandra,
Many people use Dr.Carol’s Eye Essentials to promote and stimulate eye health. Give me a call and I can refer you to a wonderful specialist. 440 247 5901
mmiranda84@hotmail.com
Hi, my Dog is only 6 years old a Maltese and she was just diagnosed with SARD. I’m looking for a treatment, or something that can increase her vision, who would be a best doctor, I know I may have to ravel, I live in Naples, FL.
thank you.
Myriam,
Many people use Dr.Carol’s Eye Essentials to promote and stimulate eye health. Give me a call and I can refer you to a wonderful specialist. 440 247 5901
My rescue dog was just diagnosed with SARDS? Will the eye pills help him?
we’ve had good luck with the From’s Four Star Line
My 5-yr old long-haired dachshund went blind of SARDS on 3/9/2018.
His ALP (?) test came back OK, but then the Cushing’s test was positive, though the vet said perhaps the Cushing’s wouldn’t fully develop? check in 6 months? (Sounds weird to me)
Is it too late to try the ivig injections? My once active and joyful little man is like an old man over night. Lethargic, etc.
It would certainly be worth a try if it’s not already too late, which I fear it is.
Thanks!
There is a 2 month window of time from diagnosis to IvIg injections
Dr. Carol Osborne – My dog is at the one month mark since diagnoses. We had the ERG done and also the E-1 panel done. I live in Texas though, is there anyone in Austin or the state of Texas that does this protocol? We have been following the Plechner protocol for a week now but haven’t seen anything yet:(
Sarah,
I do not know of anyone. The only vet I know of is Dr.Grozdanic https://animal-eye-iowa.com/contact/
My miniature schnauzer has just had the worst week. He was diagnosed with diabetes, Cushings and then today, SARDS I was reading all the promising work you discuss on your site. I wanted to know if I could call you to talk about how to get him some assistance. Thank you for what you are doing Dr. Carol.
Is SARDS more commonly seen in double merle dogs or dogs previously diagnosed with Lyme disease?
no
My precious 9 year old dachshund/jack russell mix was diagnosed with sards on 10/31/2018. We had the ERG done and I also had full blood panels done. I was reading about a protocol that helps restore vision with the plechner treatment. I had the bloodwork done last week by a vet that is willing to try the protocol we are just waiting on the results to come back from the Texas lab that we were told to send everything to. My question is, is there a more natural cure to try and restore her vision? I have read some scary things about what could happen to my dog if I go through with the treatment:( Even the vet that is willing to do the treatment said he has never had success with restoring vision. He had one older dog get vision back but then lost it again a few weeks later. I have already spent a few thousand trying to get her help and am starting to lose hope:( She is still happy and all her bloodwork has shown perfectly healthy, I just want to try and get her vision back for her since she loves playing fetch every day all day long:(
Hello Sarah,
I wish you the best of luck in treatment. A lot of times with SARDS it is trial and error. Many people seek the help of Dr.Grozdanic https://animal-eye-iowa.com/contact/ he is one of the leading vets of SARDS treatment.
does this treatment still work today and if so how many dogs have you cured and what is the price?
Douglas,
We do not offer this treatment. Dr.Grozdanic is offering treatment for SARDS and you can contact his office directly with any questions https://animal-eye-iowa.com/contact/
Dear dr carol would you happen to know if there is any caseses that has had succes’s past the two month time .
My mini wierharied dachsen has gone blind from SARDS , an he i currently bring treated by DR Bill Burlingame in USA and my Danish vet
I have read the book from dr Alfred J Plechner
About this terrible inbalance in dogs , and Will go to ANY lenght to save not only he’s life but also he’ s vision
Regards from dk
Hi Joy,
Dr.Grozdanic is the one of the only vets in the USA offering treatment for SARDS to my knowledge. Please take a look at his website:https://animal-eye-iowa.com/sardsimr/
My pug Pork Chop is having a test today at the Veterinary Specialist – Ophthalmology to confirm if he has Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS) and that is why he can’t see all of a sudden. Do you know any Doctors in the Los Angeles Southern California area that does the injections?
Dr. Osborne
I really wished I had seen your blog before the holidays! My 6-year old mixed Terrier-Dachshund_beagle was diagnosed with SARDS on Nov. 1st, 2018. It is a little bit over 3 months and I’m afraid it is too late to reverse her blindness. What else can we do to improve her life condition? Overnight she went from being a joyous young dog to an old grumpy lady. Let me know if you can help. Thx,
PS. Just left a VM for you
My beloved Cockapoo was diagnosed with SARDS just a few days ago. Please advice on treatments to help retain the eyesight she has left, if not for restoring it at your earliest possible.
I did call the university with no response.
We are very very sorry to hear this
The window of opportunity for vision restoration is very narrow-weeks from date of diagnosis
You might consider maintaining the integrity of the remaining ocular tissue at this time
Many pet owners whose canines also suffer with SARDS have added the eye essentials to their dogs daily protocol
Best Wishes
Dr Carol
Hello Dr.Osborne ,
I called your office today because my dog has suddenly, with in 7 days lost her sight. I took her to the eye doctor this morning and he is testing her for SARDS and CUSHINGS. He is leaning more towards SARDS , we will know tomorrow. The doctor stated there is no cure for restoring her sight either way. I just found your research and would appreciate so information .
Dr.Osborne,
Can we cure our dog from SARDS?
The dog cannot see in 90% from 4 days, and today our vet diagnosed SARDS.( 10.sep.2019 )
Who can help us to save our dog’s vision.
Please send me message ASAP, till is not too late.
Thank you in advance
I’m so sorry to hear this!
The window of opportunity for any chance of vision is only 2 weeks from date of diagnosis
Preserving the integrity of the remaining ocular tissue is helpful at this point.
Many pets also suffering with SARDS have used the eye essentials
Best Wishes
Dr Carol