
I. What is Secondary Retinal Atrophy?
Secondary retinal atrophy in dogs is an eye disorder in which the retina is damaged and then atrophied due to other underlying diseases or factors such as infectious diseases (such as canine distemper, toxoplasma gondii infection, etc.), ocular trauma, nutritional deficiencies, poisoning, vascular diseases, endocrine diseases (such as diabetes). Its symptoms include vision loss, nystagmus, abnormal pupillary light reflex, etc. It can be diagnosed through ophthalmic examinations, laboratory tests and imaging examinations. The key to treatment lies in addressing the underlying cause, and at the same time, neurotrophic drugs can be used to slow down the progression of the disease. Preventive measures include regular physical examinations, a balanced diet, and avoiding contact with harmful substances.
II. Common Causes
1.Ocular Injuries: Such as retinal detachment or ocular trauma, these injuries may lead to damage of retinal tissue and then trigger atrophy.
2.Inflammation: For example, uveitis or retinitis, these inflammatory diseases may cause damage and degeneration of retinal cells.
3.Infection: Certain viral, bacterial or parasitic infections may lead to retinal damage, such as canine distemper virus, etc.
4.Other Ocular Diseases: Such as cataracts, glaucoma, etc., these diseases may affect the blood supply to the retina or directly damage retinal cells.
5.Poisoning: Some drugs or toxins may lead to retinal damage, such as some chemotherapy drugs or heavy metal poisoning.
6.Metabolic Diseases: Such as diabetic retinopathy, long-term high blood sugar may lead to damage of retinal blood vessels and then cause retinal atrophy.
7.Vascular Problems: Retinal vascular occlusion or abnormalities, such as central vein occlusion, may lead to hypoxia and malnutrition of retinal cells, and eventually cause atrophy.
8.Age-Related Changes: With the increase of age, retinal cells may degenerate naturally, especially more common in elderly dogs.
9.Autoimmune Diseases: Such as Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration (SARDS), which is an autoimmune reaction and may lead to rapid degeneration of retinal cells.
III. Common Symptoms of Secondary Retinal Atrophy in Dogs
1.Night Blindness: Dogs experience a decrease in vision in low-light conditions, which is an early sign of secondary retinal atrophy.
2.Difficulty Navigating in Dim Light: As the condition progresses, dogs may have trouble moving around in environments with insufficient lighting.
3.Behavioral Changes: Dogs may become more cautious or hesitant, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.
4.Bumping into Furniture or Walls: Dogs with impaired vision may collide with objects in the home.
5.Lack of Interest in Play or Exercise: Vision problems may affect a dog's interest in activities.
6.Dilated Pupils: To capture more light, a dog's pupils may become dilated.
7.Decreased Response to Light: Dogs may become less sensitive to changes in light.
8.Cataracts: As the disease progresses, dogs may develop cataracts, which can further impair vision.
IV. Diagnosis Methods

i. Ophthalmic Examination
1.Direct Ophthalmoscopy: Using a direct ophthalmoscope, veterinarians can directly observe the dog's retina, optic nerve head, blood vessels, and other structures. When retinal atrophy occurs, characteristic changes such as lightening of the retina's color, thinning of blood vessels, and atrophy of the optic nerve head can be observed.
2.Indirect Ophthalmoscopy: Indirect ophthalmoscopy provides a broader field of view, which is helpful for a more comprehensive assessment of the peripheral parts of the retina. It is significant for identifying peripheral retinal lesions and determining the extent of atrophy.
3.Tonometry: Elevated intraocular pressure can be one of the causes of secondary retinal atrophy, such as in glaucoma. Measuring the dog's intraocular pressure with a tonometer can help determine if there are pressure abnormalities causing retinal changes. Normal intraocular pressure generally ranges between 15-25mmHg; deviations from this range may indicate a problem.
ii. Electroretinography (ERG)
ERG is a method of assessing retinal function by measuring the electrical changes produced by the retina in response to light stimulation. For the diagnosis of secondary retinal atrophy in dogs, ERG can objectively reflect the functional state of the retina, especially in early stages of the disease when morphological changes may not yet be apparent on funduscopic examination, but ERG may already show abnormalities, aiding in early diagnosis and disease assessment.
iii. Ocular Ultrasound
Ocular ultrasound can clearly display the internal structures of the eye, including the retina and choroid. For the diagnosis of retinal atrophy, ultrasound examination can help veterinarians observe the thickness and shape of the retina, as well as detect complications such as retinal detachment, providing important auxiliary information for diagnosis.
iv. Blood Tests
Complete Blood Count (CBC): This can help determine if the dog has infections, anemia, or other systemic diseases. Certain infectious diseases may cause ocular inflammation, leading to secondary retinal atrophy.
Biochemical Tests: Assess the dog's liver and kidney function, blood sugar, blood lipids, and other indicators. Certain metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, may cause retinal changes leading to retinal atrophy.
Infectious Disease Screening: Diseases such as canine distemper and infectious canine hepatitis can affect a dog's ocular health, leading to retinal atrophy. Specific infectious disease detection methods, such as viral antibody testing, can determine if the dog is infected with related infectious diseases.
v. Genetic Testing
For secondary retinal atrophy caused by certain genetic diseases, genetic testing is an effective diagnostic method. By examining the dog's genetic sequence, it is possible to determine if there are gene mutations associated with retinal atrophy, which can help clarify the diagnosis and provide a basis for genetic counseling and breeding plans.
V. Remission and Treatment

1.Treating the Underlying Disease: Treat the underlying disease that causes retinal atrophy, such as controlling inflammation or infection. For example, if retinal atrophy is caused by uveitis, the treatment will focus on controlling the inflammation.
2.Nutritional Support: Provide dogs with foods rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, C, E, and lutein, which helps protect retinal cells. Some specialized ophthalmic health products can also be used under the advice of a veterinarian.
3.Environmental Adjustment: Provide a safe and familiar environment for the dog, reduce changes to furniture, and use auxiliary tools such as night lights to help the dog better adapt to the decline in vision.
4.Regular Examinations: Conduct regular ophthalmic examinations to monitor the progress of the disease. This helps to detect changes in the condition in a timely manner and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
5.Medication: In some cases, veterinarians may recommend the use of specific medications to slow down the progress of the disease, although there is currently no definitive treatment method.
6.Traditional Chinese Medicine and Alternative Therapies: Some pet owners may consider alternative therapies such as acupuncture, or massage to help relieve symptoms. These methods may help delay the progression of the lesions, but should be carried out under the guidance of a professional veterinarian.
7.Psychological Support: For dogs with impaired vision, the psychological support and patience of their owners are very important. Maintain a positive attitude and help the dog adapt to the changes in vision.
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