02/24/12 - It's been one week since Reo's DepoMedrol injection, and we have noticed no increased symptoms as we experienced last spring when she got her injection series. Granted, we used a lower dosage, but I was expecting some increased thirst (at least). Maybe some restlessness, increased hunger, etc. But so far, she's doing great, despite the massive amount of packing and changes going on in the house (removed furniture, new boxes everywhere, etc.).
No major changes on the vision side, either. It's transient - sometimes she does great and walks around new things no problem, can follow a cotton ball from more than 12 inches away, etc. And other times, she can't find her way back up the steps from the yard. Sean and I sort of feel that for Reo, she needs to willingly "engage" her vision sense. Like, if she's focused and paying attention, she can see and navigate well. If she's distracted and smelling something, or if she is napping/dozing and opens her eyes, she doesn't have much vision. Sometimes we can snap her out of it and get her to engage by talking to her. I find this interesting, and I wish I knew more about what could be going on in her eyeballs!
I think that Reo has lost a little bit of weight - she's looking more ribby lately. It's a fine line to balance diet and exercise in a small dog. I'm constantly giving a little more or a little less food, depending on how much exercise we've gotten.
At this time next week, we'll be somewhere in Kansas, en route home to Colorado. We are really excited, and I hope that Reo is not too stressed out. Anything could happen in a car with 2 people, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. Fun times, yes? :)
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, February 24, 2012
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