10/05/11 - Everyone please think good thoughts for Reo and me today (in about 3 hours)!
Today is her 7 month treatment anniversary of beginning the Levin and Plechner protocols (6.5 months post SARDS diagnosis), and we're going back to the ophthalmologist diagnosed her as blind and who said she had "no hope" to regain vision.
He has seen the videos I've taken of her navigating the obstacle course, and he is intrigued. I want to prove to him that she can see (what we already know, as well as 3 vets have confirmed)! It is so clear to me that she can see based on her being able to navigate new places (obstacles, stairs, etc.) she's never been. He'll do another ERG and an ocular ultrasound as well as functional testing - fingers crossed! I am so excited and nervous!
As much as I would love for there to be a detectable change on the ERG, I understand that a plain ERG machine is not very sensitive, so I'm not expecting a miracle. I am slightly worried about her seeming vision regression since I've been back from my trip, but I'd like to move forward with the appointment (it took us a while to schedule, and a month of waiting!) Still, I have some hope!
Will let everyone know the results! Fingers crossed.
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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