January, 2016
Hello, everyone! I wanted to write a quick update and let my readers know that Caroline Levin is no longer doing personalized consultations for new SARDS dog owners. After about a decade of doing these consultations, it's a huge loss to our SARDS community. :( Caroline was an advocate for manny of us (and our dogs, of course!). I, personally, appreciated Caroline's knowledge, patience, and her wonderful "bedside" manner. I know many others feel the same.
The good news is, her protocol is published in her book "Living With Blind Dogs" (which is an excellent book, even if you choose not to pursue treatment for your dog!). She is also willing to send an information packet to people for a nominal fee.
This packet of info includes an overview of the problem/treatment with case statistics, where to send the lab work, how to interpret the lab work, the most up-to-date version of the protocol with easily formatted medication dosages, where to find various products/supplements, an endorsement from a Florida vet, and how to find a vet if yours won’t help you.
You may still reach Caroline through her website: https://petcarebooks.com/product/sard-treatment-files/
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.
