Post by thunderhillpaints on Feb 12, 2014 0:52:57 GMT
Two weeks ago today, I discovered my ACD bumping into things and seeming lost and disoriented. I was startled by this and it caught me completely off guard. The following day, I took him to the barn to see the horses... all appeared normal, or so I thought. Thursday, I was a nervous wreck all day at work.. all I could think about was my dog and if it was just a random thing that was overcome, returning home from work I watched him run into a step ladder...Friday he went to my local vet, who just shined a light into his eyes and did a motion test before referring me to Cornell University. The week following his initial vet visit I watched him bump more and more into things and my anxiety grew. My heart broke for him.
Well, today was his appointment with Cornell. His blood tests were great, he doesn't have glaucoma or diabetes and his pupils responded appropriately. What could it be? The vet mentioned Ivermectin poisoning, which was ruled out pretty quickly. He recommended an ERG scan to rule out brain related conditions. I spend from 9:30am to 2pm at Cornell today, three of those hours were spent anxiously waiting to hear about the results. I feared the worst.
The diagnosis was SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome.) A condition still not fully understood, dogs can go completely blind almost over night. Some symptoms aside from the obvious loss of vision are excessive drinking and urinating. There is no treatment, though the condition does not cause the dog pain, thankfully.
While that diagnosis is not a positive one by any means, I'll much rather have a blind dog for the next 5 years rather than have him suffer a brain condition and lose him.
None of it is fair, he's only turning 7 this year. This guy is the love of my life, I'd go to hell and back for him. His outlook on life is still great and he's in great health otherwise. I'll be working with him on voice commands, especially those to give him direction and navigate stairs. Bells will be used to assist him in finding me. I plan to make his life as easy as I can.
Here is some more information on SARDS.
www.eyecareforanimals.com/animal-eye-conditions/canine/241-sudden-acquired-retinal-degeneration-syndrome.html
Well, today was his appointment with Cornell. His blood tests were great, he doesn't have glaucoma or diabetes and his pupils responded appropriately. What could it be? The vet mentioned Ivermectin poisoning, which was ruled out pretty quickly. He recommended an ERG scan to rule out brain related conditions. I spend from 9:30am to 2pm at Cornell today, three of those hours were spent anxiously waiting to hear about the results. I feared the worst.
The diagnosis was SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome.) A condition still not fully understood, dogs can go completely blind almost over night. Some symptoms aside from the obvious loss of vision are excessive drinking and urinating. There is no treatment, though the condition does not cause the dog pain, thankfully.
While that diagnosis is not a positive one by any means, I'll much rather have a blind dog for the next 5 years rather than have him suffer a brain condition and lose him.
None of it is fair, he's only turning 7 this year. This guy is the love of my life, I'd go to hell and back for him. His outlook on life is still great and he's in great health otherwise. I'll be working with him on voice commands, especially those to give him direction and navigate stairs. Bells will be used to assist him in finding me. I plan to make his life as easy as I can.
Here is some more information on SARDS.
www.eyecareforanimals.com/animal-eye-conditions/canine/241-sudden-acquired-retinal-degeneration-syndrome.html
, and more hug smileyfor the both of you.