06/15/11 - I'm not sure if the Pepcid AC is having an effect on Reo, but she has been in a great little mood lately, and her tummy is definitely cooler.
She has a strange vulvar infection in the fold of skin between her leg and vulva. I noticed she was licking a lot, and so I investigated. I trimmed away some fur, and washed and put Neosporin on.
Today, we got some blood drawn for another EI-1 panel. I am looking forward to seeing her results!
Dr. O said that her vulvar infection seemed pretty minor, so just to keep washing it and putting on a light layer of Neosporin. Not sure the cause of this.
06/18/11 - Some folks on the SARDSdogs Yahoo group shared some information that Ivermectin in high doses can cause blindness. This makes me wonder if it was another piece in Reo's SARDS puzzle? I called Dr. N and got some Interceptor right away to take her off Heartguard Plus. Just don't want to take any chances.
We've noticed Reo is more social lately. She definitely didn't like spending time with us or Leigh after she lost her sight, but lately, she comes and jumps up on the couch to sleep with Leigh. She hasn't done that in quite some time, so we were encouraged to see this!
Reo's stool has been very loose at the end of her movement lately. Her stool starts out semi-firm, but the end is mostly liquid and smells awful! I'm going to keep her on the Pepcid AC each morning and see how she does.
In March 2011, our Miniature Pinscher, Reo, suddenly went blind and was diagnosed with SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome). We were given no hope for vision recovery, but through research, perseverance, love, tears, and a lot of luck, we brought our dog back from a serious illness, and restored some functional vision in about 5 months! This is our story, our journey...and we hope that by sharing our story, we can help other dogs diagnosed with SARDS!
BLOG DISCLAIMER
**DISCLAIMER** Please note: I am not a veterinarian, and the purpose of this blog is solely to educate, provide resources, and share Reo's story. In this blog, I will present research and information on the theories of SARDS to which I subscribe, along with my own narrative. If you think your dog may have SARDS, or adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome, please seek veterinary care right away!
If you are just beginning your SARDS education, I suggest you start with the blog post from August 22, 2011 entitled "SARDS Resources". If you'd like to know our trials, tribulations, and joys from the beginning, start with "But first...Reo!" and click chronologically on from there.
If you would like to read my suggestions as to how I would approach treatment for a newly-diagnosed dog, check the November 16, 2011 post "If I had another SARDS dog" (and then read my blog more fully for appropriate context).
Though we have decided to suspend Reo's retinal protection supplements in September 2012 (see September 16, 2012 post "Decision for Reo") due to the fact that she had very little remaining vision, I am still strongly supportive of our treatment approach, and know that it changed Reo's health and longevity in a positive way. Feel free to comment and ask me any questions - I am happy to help if I can!
Update: Reo became an angel on October 21, 2014. She had a profound kidney infection, causing acute kidney failure, and she was unable to recover. The contributing factors to her decline are covered in my February 16, 2015 blog post "Farewell to Reo".
Though I do not regularly update this blog any longer, much of the information is still relevant (though some of the links may be out of date). Feel free to join the conversation at "SARDS Dogs United" on Facebook.
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