Positive for Cushings; may be SARDs; wait and see?!(6 y/o Wheaten Terrier)

[sweetwheaten]

My 6-year-old Wheaten Terrier has tested positive (as much as that's possible) for Cushings through ACTH as well as other tests. Everything has come back consistent with Cushings (I don't have copies of the results).
Today I went to the specialist for the first time and was told in a dog this young it is more likely SARDs that mimics the symptoms of Cushings but accounts for the more sudden onset of the symptoms.
I am told I should wait for 3 months to see if she goes blind - then we will have an idea of whether we should proceed looking at Cushings.
Needless to say I'm devastated. While I realize neither diagnosis is a death sentence, this is my precious baby and I don't want her to suffer.
I see several postings on your site regarding SARDs and am wondering if anyone could provide insight regarding what they saw before their dogs went blind. I hate this wait and see approach. Any insight/help would be appreciated.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and your girl,

So sorry for the circumstances that brought you to us but so glad you found your way here.

I am not that familiar with SARDS and I am sure those that are more knowledgeable about SARDS will be along soon. In the meantime I am providing links to other member's Threads in which SARDS is discussed.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4711&highlight=SARDS

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4734&highlight=SARDS

Also here is a link to our Resource Forum which has articles pertaining to SARDS: Information About SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome) (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213)

Particularly this article: Blind dogs can see after new ISU treatment for a sudden onset blinding disease (http://www.public.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2007/may/blind.shtml)

Excerpt from this article:
Iowa State University veterinary researchers may have found a cure for a previously incurable disease that causes dogs to go blind suddenly. They have successfully treated two dogs for sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS). The dogs were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg).

If you could get copies of all tests that were done on your girl and post any abnormalities listed, that would be great. Also could you tell us what symptoms your girl is displaying and is she taking any other herbs/supplements/medicines?

Please know we will help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask any and all questions.

Love and hugs,
Lori

[sweetwheaten]

Thanks for the welcome.
Right now Sophie has increased appetite, increased drinking, increased urination, some loss of bladder control. They are monitoring her for protein loss pretty closely because of her breed; they think it might be another symptom of the cushings/SARDs.
I know her post for the ACTH was 24.
She is not currently on any medication or supplements. Because of another long journey with regard to her digestive track, she is on Science Diet ID. I know there's a lot of talk about diet, but I would have a really hard time adjusting anything with her. She becomes deathly ill quickly - another one of our complications ;)

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome. I'm not overly knowledgable about SARDS, but we seem to have a few on the forum.
This is also a new member, whose dog has had SARDS for several months and is now blind.
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5059&highlight=SARDS
Maybe it would help to connect with another member who is going through this already? That is up to you, but you can certainly read her thread and see if you can pick up anything.
I hope it isn't SARDS that you are dealing with.
Was a UTI ruled out via a culture? Where kidneys, thyroid and glucose checked? Those are a couple more things that could cause the same symptoms.
Do you have copies of the tests so that you could post the abnormal results? That might help us a lot to give you good feed back.

Again, welcome to the forum

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[goldengirl88]

SweetWheaten:
Hello, just wanted to welcome you, and tell you that 15 years ago I had a Wheaten. They are the most wonderful sweet dogs ever. I hope everything works out for you and your baby. The people on here are the best. The will support and guide you. God Bless you and your baby.
Patti