Guest BobbiD Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 On Saturday, March 5 our 4 yr old greyhound went blind. GR8mama posted for us and thank you for all the support and helpful suggestions. SARDS (which is very rare)is the current diagnosis, so Harmony is blind and is adjusting to her new situation. She has been doing well navigating around the house. We were surprised at her comfort level around a group of people on Sunday, March 13(our other dogs' birthday party). Yesterday, March 16, she seemed more tired than usual, her jaw was hanging open and she was holding her right eye closed. Today, added to those symptoms were, foaming at the mouth, difficulty swallowing and lethargic. Took her to the vet and after tests and more prescriptions, the current guessed diagnosis is Trigeminal Neuritis (which is also very rare). Has anyone heard of this condition or had to seek treatment for it? They say it can be cured in a few weeks but can be permanant in some cases. I would like to add that we adopted Harmony in December of 2010. It took a month to figure out which food her body could handle. In the begining of January, she broke her toe sliding in the snow. Three months to the day she went blind. A week later she now has a neurological disorder, possibly. We are still struggling with coat, skin and weight issues. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Dave and Bobbi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BauersMom Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 I have no real advice, but hoping you guys can get an answer. Quote With Buster Bloof (UCME Razorback 89B-51359) and Gingersnap Ginny (92D-59450). Missing Pepper, Berkeley, Ivy, Princess and Bauer at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mcsheltie Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Wow you have been thru the wringer! I have not had personal experience with this. But I know it is usually treated with Pred. You need to make sure the dog stays hydrated. They drool an excessive amount in their sleep and drinking can be difficult for them. A raised feeder is a good idea. If you feed kibble add water to it and let it soak and soften for about fifteen minutes before feeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Who diagnosed the SARDS & how did they differentiate from optic neuritis as the cause of the blindness? Not knowing much about these my concern would be that they had really narrowed out neuritis as a contributing factor to the blindness. If this were my dog, at this point I would really a consult with a neurologist quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Is there anyway you can bring her to OSU. While it really specializes in cancer, they have seen so many greyhounds, I would think they would be the best help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest momofevie Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 I, too, recommend seeing a specialist if you haven't already. I'm so sorry Harmony's transition into your home has been so difficult. Sending good thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lizmego Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Is there anyway you can bring her to OSU. While it really specializes in cancer, they have seen so many greyhounds, I would think they would be the best help. There are a lot of Veterinary schools and speciality clinics that have great veterinarians. Plus, tOSU will consult with any vet that asks, so a vet faxing, emailing, phoning with tOSU is always an option. I don't want readers to think that tOSU is the "only" place to get great care for their greyhound(s). My vets have consulted with Dr. Couto by phone and email and got great advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest larock Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 (edited) We had a grey with sudden onset of blindness which progressed to mental dullness and then loss of mobility and other motor functions. He was diagnosed with a neurological condition called GME. GME is like a form of spinal meningitis. A spinal tap was done and an MRI, however, we declined the brain biopsy. He was diagnosed at age 8 and lived for 3 years on a mix of prednisone and later a form of chemo to keep the disease at bay. With Ward he had a few episodes initially and one relapse later that he almost didn't recover from. Once on the prednisone though, the turnaround was incredible. I hope you find out what is going on with your baby. My thoughts are with you - most of us know what you are going through. Edited March 18, 2011 by larock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mychip1 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 So sorry you have had to go through all this - but clearly this hound is very lucky to have found you and to be so loved. Best wishes. Quote Robin, EZ (Tribal Track), JJ (What a Story), Dustin (E's Full House) and our beautiful Jack (Mana Black Jack) and Lily (Chip's Little Miss Lily) both at the BridgeThe WFUBCC honors our beautiful friends at the bridge. Godspeed sweet angels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 We had a grey with sudden onset of blindness which progressed to mental dullness and then loss of mobility and other motor functions. He was diagnosed with a neurological condition called GME. GME is like a form of spinal meningitis. This is what was in my mind when suggesting a neurologist but I do not have experience with it nor know enough about it to feel comfortable mentioning that. Worried I was thinking along the wrong lines. Very sorry you had to deal with that. To OP, I have no wish to scare you any further. It is just that this sounds too coincidental and from my end of the ether it sounds quite urgent. There are some tick diseases that can severely effect the nervous system. Many hounds coming into our group fresh off the track (JCKC for most of ours) have coat, skin &/or weight issues to some degree. Those may not be related. Yet your comment makes me wonder if you are talking about something worse than normal. Sending prayers that your vets can get your pup stabilized & improving. Also hope they can identify the culprit. Do consider a referral to a specialty clinic or good vet school. Even the best general practice vets may need help with diagnosis & treatment on unusual or difficult cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 After just reading about blasto on a different thread I did a quick search since I know very little about it. On the CDC website was the first one I pulled up & found this: What are the symptoms of blastomycosis? Symptomatic infection (50% of cases) usually presents as a flu-like illness with fever, chills, productive cough, myalgia, arthralgia and pleuritic chest pain. Some patients fail to recover and develop chronic pulmonary infection or widespread disseminated infection (affecting the skin, bones and genitourinary tract in particular). Blastomycosis can also occasionally affect the central nervous system, resulting in meningitis. Not saying that is what this is. Might be a stretch. It is referring to humans. It just surprised me to see skin issues, central nervous system & meningitis listed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BobbiD Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 (edited) On Saturday, March 5 our 4 yr old greyhound went blind. GR8mama posted for us and thank you for all the support and helpful suggestions. SARDS (which is very rare)is the current diagnosis, so Harmony is blind and is adjusting to her new situation. She has been doing well navigating around the house. We were surprised at her comfort level around a group of people on Sunday, March 13(our other dogs' birthday party). Yesterday, March 16, she seemed more tired than usual, her jaw was hanging open and she was holding her right eye closed. Today, added to those symptoms were, foaming at the mouth, difficulty swallowing and lethargic. Took her to the vet and after tests and more prescriptions, the current guessed diagnosis is Trigeminal Neuritis (which is also very rare). Has anyone heard of this condition or had to seek treatment for it? They say it can be cured in a few weeks but can be permanant in some cases. I would like to add that we adopted Harmony in December of 2010. It took a month to figure out which food her body could handle. In the begining of January, she broke her toe sliding in the snow. Three months to the day she went blind. A week later she now has a neurological disorder, possibly. We are still struggling with coat, skin and weight issues. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Dave and Bobbi Today is Friday, March 18. We just got back from the vet where Harmony received another litre of fluids. She looks much better and we are keeping our fingers crossed and praying a lot. Both eyes are open and alert even though there is no longer sight. Yesterday her eyes were pointing downward even when the vet raised her head up. Everything I have read about Trigeminal Neuritis says it can last one to three weeks but she has her pep back and we are being optimistic. Thanks you for all your advise and support. Edited March 19, 2011 by BobbiD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I don't have any knowledge of this condition, but, just wanted to say that you guys are having a rough time right now. I wish you and your girl all the best. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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