Zippy
Zippy, before SARDs.
We’ve had various pet owners complete our online survey and have shared with us their story about their pet’s SARDs/IMR experience. However, Zippy’s story is a bit interesting, and you’ll see what we mean at the end of this page.
Here is Zippy’s owner’s, Ian’s, commentary about Zippy’s bout with SARDs:
I just found your website and submited a survey. I have some questions regarding certain physical and behavioral issues with my dog, Zippy, since he has had SARDS. I was just wondering if other owners have seen similar changes in their dogs.
First of all, Zippy was always a very picky eater and had some issues with upset stomachs and would sometimes not eat for 24 hrs. After SARDS hit he never misses a meal and never has an upset stomach.
Next, he has some weird things going on with his skin and coat. He has lost most of the pigment in is skin, particularly on his face around his eyes, lips and nose and also inside his mouth. His coat has become much thicker as well. He now has hair where previously there was little or none. His fur has also has begun to turn white, most notably on his face but it seems to be slowly spreading. He is now nine years old, but looks more like 16 or 18.
Cushings tests were negative, but he did test positve for Hypothyroidism, and is being treated with Soloxine. This treatment has seemed to help with his pigment issues a bit but he is nowhere near back to normal. I have attached before and after pictures.
He has some other ood things as well, like he refuses to play at all when before that is all that he lived for. I can understand how blindness would change his ability to play, but he just wants absolutely nothing to do with toys now.
He has begun to “talk” in a weird growling/yappy way usually when he’s upset or excited. He also has a lot of little personality changes like stuborness, crankyness and lethargy that were not present before SARDS.
I realize that some of this can be attributed to Hypothyroidism, but I just thought I would share the information and see if others have reported similar changes.
Thanks for your time,
Ian
By now, you’ve read Ian mention the change to Zippy’s skin pigmentation and coat. Now, here is how Zippy looks today.
Zippy, after SARDs.
We’ve forwarded Ian’s questions over to Dr. Grozdanic to get his opinion and experience with SARDs/IMR dogs with pigmentation/coat changes.
Meanwhile, if any of you have had similar experiences, please post your comments below. Also, feel free to submit your photos to us to post as well to share with the rest of the SARDs/IMR community.
A remarkable change in appearance!
Sounds like Zippy has already been diagnosed with SARDs per some of Ian’s comments? If so, it would be interesting to hear how the diagnosis came about.
It will be interesting to read Dr. Grozdanic’s input per this case.
Looking forward to seeing Oscar on treadmill!
In May of 2009 our almost 10 yr old Bichon Juli was diagnosed with SARDS. It seemed devastating to me but not so for Juli. She is the OPTIMIST and just deals with things the way they are. From the beginning she was determined to learn things like using the doggy door to go out for potty calls and then going up and down the back porch steps. When visiting our daughter’s home, for 30 minutes Juli kept walking all over Joy’s home as if making a map in her brain of the layout. When she finally figured it all out she was happy and finally sat down with us.
Wow, what a change in Zippy. I have several questions. How old is he?How long of a period of time was there between the first and 2nd picture? How long has it been since he was diagnosed with SARDS? The personality changes could revert back to what he once was once he gets adjusted and his health improves. Cookie didn’t play with toys at first and was quiet, totally unlike what she was before blindness. However, several months after she was back to her old silly self and tearing up toys is the highlight of her day!
Zippy just turned nine last week. He was diagnosed with SARDS by an opthamologist in mid December of ’08. The first picture of him was taken a few months before SARDS. I don’t think that I noticed any pigment changes for a month or two after SARDS and the lightening of the fur happened after that. The pigment change has seemed to stabilize but he is still losing hair color.
Jay has not yet posted the comments from Dr. G, but he seems to think that the SARDS may have triggered another autoimmune disease called uveo-dermatological syndrome. From what I have read so far about it, it seems that he is probably right. This disease seems to be worse than SARDS (if you can belive that) and is treated with immune suppressants and Steriods. Many dog owners feel that the treatment is worse than the disease. If it turns out that Zippy has this I don’t think I would pursue the therapy. I’d rather see him the way he is than a prisoner of drug after affects. I will talk to my vet soon about it.
I do want to point out that Zippy is coping with his blindness very well. He gets around so well that sometimes I think he can see a bit, but I know that’s not the case! He was a very energetic dog before so it’s sad that he can’t run at full speed like he used to, but he does run in the back yard or out on walks a bit. he is able to find the couch and jump up on it. And he is able to jump up on my lap when I am sitting at the computer (yes, he’s sleeping there right now!) Every day he seems to get better, more confident and seems happier too. Even though I feel awful when I see him now and I remember the way he was, I still see glimpses of those days in him at times and that makes me happy again.
Very interesting, by Maltese Buddy was diagnosed with SARDS in April 2008. He also has lost the black pigmentation around his eyes and nose. The Vet told me at the time that she thought it was from the suns reflection on the snow!!! Buddy is 7 years old and is coping very well with SARDS, he is playful and happy…..the weight is an issue and I’m changing him to Wellness “Core” weight maintenance. He get’s lot’s of exercise. He’s fallen down the stairs more times than I care to count but he get’s right back up again and shakes it off. He’s a remarkable little dog.
It is so nice to read about other dogs going threw what my dear Pugsy is so I can be more positive for him.
We are getting 1 more test for adrenal abnormality.
Hope to see if that is the cause for his lack of energy and why he won’t play with his toys anymore. And if he can have treatment can get some of my active little boy back♥