06/27/12 - So, previously, back in August of last year, Reo went through this weird period where she shed her skin and coat - like nearly all of it. (Previous blog post HERE). I referred to this as her molting phase. :)
I noticed Reo shedding a bit lately, but didn't think anything of it, since it's been over 100 degrees for the past week. I thought it was a heat thing. Well, I noticed a day ago that there was a little skin clump attached. Sure enough, when I examined her skin, it was the same thing. There were pale yellow little "scales" all over her skin, and her fur was falling out in little clumps! I brushed her like crazy, then gave her a bath, and then brushed her again.
As before, her fur is VERY soft. I can't help but make the correlation between her hormones coming into balance and this "molting" process that she goes through. There are no bald spots, or anything like that - she looks gorgeous, and her remaining coat is super silky and lustrous.
Secretly, I'm hopeful that this means her hormone levels are back to normal, or close to it, and maybe that means that better vision is not far behind. We shall see, given the blood tests coming back next week!
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.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
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