03/03/14 - Well, Reo is doing just wonderfully at present! There have been no more seizures, thankfully.
After only a couple of days on the reduced thyroid dosage, she was perkier, seemed happier and more active. That trend is continuing, so I am very happy. We will repeat her bloodwork in a couple of weeks and see how she is doing, but I am optimistic!
With respect to diet, I reduced her Stella & Chewy's portion, and have replaced that with ZiwiPeak tripe recipe canned food. I rotate the canned food with sardines or canned salmon, just to give her some variety. Will see how her kidney panel looks soon and see if she is improving. I would like to get her to gain at least 8 ounces if possible, my skinny girl!
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.
Had to take my 11 yr old Chi to emergency vet because she had three seizures in 24 hrs. sigh.
ReplyDeleteSHe was diagnosed with SARDS in June 2013. Now I'm wondering IF she might have Cushings as well. I will check out the "adrenal exhaustion" idea. What recommendations or treatment were you given on the seizures? I was told it was either age relate type of epilepsy or brain tumor. Hoping it's not the pituitary. I'm assuming the blindness is irreverseble due to time lapse, but your thoughts on that would be nice. I read that some past treatments had a high fatality rate and weren't ongoing. Thanks for being there.
Your pup could have the opposite of Cushing's disease - Addison's disease, which is low cortisol. Elevated estrogen is the cause of Cushing-like symptoms like heat intolerance/panting, increased thirst/urination/hunger, restlessness, etc. If your vet is willing to send your pup's blood to National Veterinary Diagnostic Services for an EI-1 panel, it would let you know for sure. There is lots of info on this blog, and in the "resources" post. Wishing you good luck!!
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