SARDs/IMR — Awareness Central

We are looking for owners/parents of canine SARDs/IMR patients that are willing to provide a personal narrative about their SARDs/IMR experience, and to provide on-going status of their dog’s state of vision, health, and treatment.

Narratives written in your own words and style are more personal and voice your experiences in a way that connects more with other readers.  But, while we would very much prefer that you submit a narrative, we also understand if you feel you are not a writer.  

For those of you that prefer Question and Answer surveys we provide a means for you to participate here:  

For those of you that take your time to share your experiences with us and provide meaningful answers to the survey, we will publish your responses on the site to share with others.

 

However, if you enjoy writing and you would like to participate by writing a narrative instead, please email your narrative to us using this link: info@sardsawareness.org.

For your personal narrative, please address some or all of the items below:

• How did you notice your dog was losing vision?

• Did your dog exhibit any of these clinical or behavioral symptoms prior to your observation of diminished vision?
  • Reluctance to jump on/off platforms, such as beds and sofas, in dim light conditions.
  • Reluctance to walk down the stairs in dim light conditions.
  • Reluctance to chase a ball if it is closer than 10 feet, but will chase it if thrown farther away.
  • Abnormally dilated pupils for months, or years, before the “sudden” onset of blindness.
  • Polyphagia (”excessive” eating), often causing weight gain.
  • Polydypsia (”excessive” drinking)
  • Polyuria (”excessive” urinating)
  • Hypersalivation
  • Tearing eyes
  • Seasonal skin allergies
  • Food allergies
  • Vaccination allergies
  • History of previous, or current, tumors (neoplasia), which is applicable to IMR, not SARDs.
• What did you do next after noticing your dog’s vision loss?

• Did you visit your regular veterinarian first?
  • Or did you go directly to a veterinary ophthalmologist?

• What did your regular veterinarian diagnose?

• Were you referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist by your regular veterinarian?

• Do you feel there was a sense of urgency when being referred to the veterinary ophthalmologist?

• How quickly did you visit the ophthalmologist after initial diagnosis or referral?

• What condition did the veterinary ophthalmologist diagnose?
• How did the veterinary ophthalmologist come to the diagnosis?
  • Did the veterinary ophthalmologist perform any of these tests?
    • Electroretinogram (ERG)
    • Colorimetric Pupil Light Reflex (PLR) Analysis (Red / Blue Light Test)
    • Maze test in dim and bright light
    • Blood work
    • Urinalysis
• When was your dog diagnosed with SARDs/IMR?

• Was the veterinary ophthalmologist aware of two distinct conditions of SARDs and IMR?
  • If so, ….
    • Was the veterinary ophthalmologist aware of how to diagnose the difference between SARDs vs. IMR using the Colorimetric Pupil Light Reflex (PLR) test using Blue/Red lights?
    • Was the veterinary ophthalmologist aware of an experimental human IVIg treatment for SARDs/IMR?
      • If so…
        • Did the veterinary ophthalmologist suggest IVIg treatment?
        • Did the veterinary ophthalmologist provide IVIg treatment?
        • If not, did the veterinary ophthalmologist provide a contact name for IVIg treatment?
        • What interim course of treatment did the veterinary ophthalmologist prescribe if he could not provide IVIg treatment himself?
        • Did the veterinary ophthalmologist act with a sense of urgency?
        • What was the veterinary ophthalmologist’s long-term plan for treatment?
• Have you sought IVIg treatment?
  • If so,
    • Where did you receive the IVIg treatment?
    • Was it intravenous or intra-ocular treatment?
    • Would you mind sharing the detailed treatment costs?
    • Did you have pet health insurance?
    • Did insurance cover any costs associated with SARDs/IMR treatment?
    • Knowing that IVIg is an experimental treatment, with no guarantee of success, why did you seek the treatment?
    • Are you satisfied with your dog’s IVIg treatment?
    • Has your dog regained any vision?
    • Do you have any regrets?
• How do you feel about the compassion and attitude exhibited by…
  • your regular veterinarian?
  • the veterinary ophthalmologist you visited?
  • the IVIg treatment service-provider?

• Where/when/how did you educate yourself about SARDs/IMR?

• Would you like to have others contact you regarding your experience?
  • What is your email address?
  • Do you operate a website or forum for dogs?
    • If so, what is the website address?
• Do you have anything else you would like to share with other pet owners?

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@sardsawareness.org.

If you have not already done so, please participate in our poll to the right.