12/16/11 - Yesterday was a good day for Reo! We noticed a drastic improvement in her vision, for some reason. As you know from reading this blog, her vision is excellent outside/bright lighting, but sometimes she struggles in dim light, or at night.
Typically Reo is fairly cautious going up/down the stairs (okay, it's mostly from me training her to go slow because I was worried she'd fall). I got home yesterday from work, and she FLEW down the stairs to greet me! She used to do this thing where she used her front paws as a "slide", and went down the stairs with only her back feet. It was always sort of funny to me, but this is what she did yesterday! Just as fast as she used to do - and I have not seen her do this since before she lost her sight back in March. I was surprised, but Reo was clearly pleased with herself, nubbin' wagging a mile a minute!
Sean told me she had had a good day (she lazed in our bed after I went to work until midday), and was in a good mood. I took all the dogs outside. Again, Reo is typically cautious going up and down the stairs to the deck, walking, and taking the steps one at a time. Yesterday, both out and back, she was at a full run and lept up the stairs! Again, something I have not seen since she lost her sight!
After dinner, I took out the ol' cotton ball and tested her sight, even in the dim lighting of the living room. She was en pointe, and followed it up, down, side to side, and when I dropped it. Very sharp, and nearly as good as Leigh (who can't resist for some reason when I have the cotton out - she likes to follow it around, too!). Reo's reward was to kill a bunny fur ball cat toy, which is her favorite! She loves ripping those to shreds and pulling all the fur out. Crazy dog.
I'm not sure the cause of the dramatic change all of a sudden, but she seems to be doing just as well this morning. I hope it's here to stay! :)
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!
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**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.
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteThat is great to hear and gives us some much needed encouragement that Gracie may soon start to show some signs of improvement.
Let me ask you this. Did you ever notice Reo seemingly lose her sense of smell. Not totally but to some degree. Gracie seems to be having some trouble sniffin' out treats and even her food bowl. And we're talkin' about a food bowl topped off with a coupla sardines ... and who can't smell sardines!?! She just seems to have lost a bit of her smell.
As for her behavior or, any reaction as a result of her starting her "treatment protocol" ... not much change. Maybe her appetite has subsided a bit ... she's still, at times, pretty lethargic.
We remain hopeful.
Happy holidays to you and to ALL your family!
.
Hi there - I have seen this in Reo occasionally, but only mildly. I thought she needed some "training" to use her nose more. I think some breeds have better noses than others (and are more dependent on that sense), and it takes some time for those dogs who don't use theirs regularly. I've heard other SARDS dog owners mention sense of smell diminishing as well, but I don't know what is behind it, really.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question - I don't know what couldn't smell sardines! Phew! ;)
I remain very hopeful for Gracie, as well! Please keep me posted.
I hope you and your family have a very wonderful holiday season!