08/13/11 - In my previous post I mentioned that Reo was shedding. Upon further investigation, this wasn't "regular" shedding. She had little clumps of hair and skin falling out of her - all over, but mostly along her sides! I was horrified - nothing like this had ever happened to her.
I examined Reo by "rolling" her skin between my fingers and saw that her entire body was covered in these pale yellow scales - it was literally like she was shedding her entire skin! Attached to the skin were little clumps of hair, really gross!
I brushed Reo vigorously with two different types of brushes: one rubber one with "fingers", and another metal one that I use for our cats. I got so much hair and skin out of her, I was surprised she wasn't bald!
I spoke with Dr. P and Dr. Lanz about this, and both agreed that it was just a byproduct of Reo's healing process. Sometimes things are cleansed and detoxified through the skin, so neither were surprised that this happened in Reo's case. Currently, at time of writing (09/16/11) Reo's coat is softer and silkier than I can ever remember it! She has no more of the scaly skin issues, and only very mild shedding (I think just normal due to seasons)! Maybe this is why Reo liked the cicadas so much - she could identify with their molting nature, and be transformed into a new dog! :) Okay, that was a little cheesy.
08/16/11 - Reo's belly has been greatly reduced in size and turgidity - perhaps the ProZyme is really helping? I'll keep this up for sure.
Today, we started Reo on the Standard Process Adrenal Support that we got from Dr. Lanz. I am hopeful that this will help Reo's adrenal glands and get her cortisol in the normal range.
I've noticed that she's been pretty restless lately. She wants to be outside all of the time, and will pace around the house and wait by the door. This could be due to cicada hunting. The weather has been pretty nice lately, so we all want to be outside (if it weren't for those stinking mosquitoes!!).
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.
Friday, September 16, 2011
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