09/05/12 - It is hard to believe it's September already - everyone in our household is looking forward to the cooler temperatures of fall! The past few mornings have been quite chilly, and the dogs love it! It's a great opportunity for them to lounge around in the warm morning sun, while the air is still chilly. We're hoping to sneak in one last camping trip this year - we'll see how it goes!
For the past 10 days, we've been watching two of our friends' dogs. I anticipated that this would be stressful on Reo, so I pulsed her Medrol for a week. She seemed to do fine, well, other than one of the dogs not understanding Reo's mostly-blindness. If Reo walked into her, the other dog would snap and growl. Fortunately, I was home all the time and could correct the other dog before things got out of hand. Overall, everything went relatively smoothly, but all of us were pretty happy to get down to our normal routine with just three dogs!
Sean and I will be making our final decision in the next week or so, concerning what to do regarding Reo's supplements. I will post an update once we decide!
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, September 5, 2012
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Hi – Will you please post a link to your Blog at The Miniature Pinscher Community? Our members will love it.
ReplyDeleteMembers include: Mini-Pin Owners, Breeders , Rescues and Lovers.
It's easy to do, just cut and paste the link and it automatically links back to your website…
You can also add Photos, Videos if you like. It’s free and easy.
Email me if you need any help or would like me to do it for you.
The Miniature Pinscher Community: http://www.vorts.com/miniature_pinschers/
Thanks,
James Kaufman, Editor
Hi James - please feel free to share this link on your site, if you like! I couldn't figure out how to post a link without joining the group. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn
ReplyDeleteSorry if this is not the correct place to post this..
But I have a dog with SARD (probably) and I need your help...
I couldn't find your email here or other way to contact you..
Pls send me an email (brumalta12@yahoo.com)
Thank you!
Bruna