Mini Schnauzer with Cushings - Oskar has passed

[TaylorWingfield]

My miniature schnauzer, Oskar, was diagnosed with cushings a couple months ago. He is 8 yo. I feel like the medicine he has been taking since is helping with all of the symptoms he was previously experiencing. However, this morning he was off. He keeps walking into things in the house, so I'm worried he can't see very well, which has never been an issue for him. He also has barely eaten anything this morning and I think he got sick earlier. I'm just really worried about him, and the weather is too bad for me to get him to the vet today. I guess my main question is have any other dogs diagnosed with cushions lost vision?

[labblab]

Hello and welcome to you and little Oskar, although I am very sorry for the problems that have brought you here. Yes, there is a condition called SARDS which results in blindness in dogs alongside symptoms consistent with Cushing's. Some afflicted dogs suffer from genuine Cushing's; some dogs with SARDS are only temporarily affected by elevated adrenal hormone levels and for them, the Cushing's-like symptoms end over time although the blindness remains.

If you use our search function and type in the word "SARDS," you'll find other threads in which this disorder is discussed. Or you can simply eyeball the index pages for this forum and you will find other threads with SARDS in the title. I am also including a link to an article in our Resources section that discusses SARDS in greater detail.

http://www.eyevet.ca/sards.html

I am so sorry if this turns out to be Oskar's problem. But even if so, you are not alone because we have other dogs and owners here who are learning to cope successfully. Just to help us talk things over more clearly, can you tell us more about Oskar's overall health history and also the specifics about his Cushing's symptoms and diagnosis? Thanks so much in advance!

Marianne

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

How is Oskar doing today? One thing I did want to add is that if Oskar is sick and acting disoriented, you want to not give him the cushing meds. It could also be a case of the cortisol going too low and he has become disoriented from that, wobbly, etc. I hope you were able to get him to a vet, so they can check him out.

I know this weather is horrible for trying to take care of our furbabies.

Sharelene and Molly Muffin

[addy]

Hi and welcome,

Can you tell us what medication and how much Oscar is taking and how and when it is being monitored?

The more information we have the better inout we can give.

I am so glad you found us.

[TaylorWingfield]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm sad to say Oskar passed away last Tuesday. A day after I made the post, he seemed to be better with his vision, as he wasn't running into things around the house. And since then he had good days and bad days. His lab work was done at the end of January, but like I said, he has had some good days and bad days. Within the last month since having his blood work done, he developed diabetes and we didn't know. In the beginning we assumed it was side effects from the medicine so we cut back on his dosage, only giving the half. When we took him to the vet we learned about the diabetes and found out our Oskar man was really sick :( I've felt terrible since, I wish we had taken him into the vet sooner. I really thought it was simply side effects from the medicine, because some days were great. He would eat all of his food, wouldn't get sick, was active, but I should have known something wasn't right. My heart is absolutely broken, I miss my dog so much. Thank you all again for your replies. Any prayers or words of encouragement would be appreciated. My family is having a hard time getting through this. We all miss him terribly.

[doxiesrock912]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to read this!
With symptoms matching so many different conditions, it's very difficult to figure out what is actually going on.


We do what we can with the knowledge available. Please don't blame yourself.
Oskar is at peace and he knew how much you loved him. Hugs.

[Trixie]

I'm so sad to read your news. So sorry for you and your family on the loss of Oskar.

Barbara

[Harley PoMMom]

I am so sorry for your loss of dear Oskar, and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

We do have a Forum that has a list of resources for grieving members, I hope you find some comfort there, here's the link:Where to Find Help When You're Hurting (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171)

We are here for you, remember that.

With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Lori

[Budsters Mom]

I am so sorry for you loss. Oscar has joined out other fur babies at the rainbow bridge. Run free sweet boy, run free. Xxxxx

[Spiceysmum]

So sorry to hear that Oskar has passed away. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Linda

[Trish]

Very sorry to hear this about Oskar, he was so young too. Very sad time for you and your family, my condolences.

[Squirt's Mom]

Dear Taylor,

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious Oskar. Please don't blame yourself. These little souls can be so stoic when something is wrong that they simply don't let us know just how sick they really are. They have such spirit and will to live and that is what they show us.

You were doing all you knew to do in order to help your sweet boy with the known issue and that is all anyone could ask of you. Diabetes can come on very rapidly and get very bad quickly. When another condition is already present, it is perfectly natural to think that what we are seeing is caused by that condition, never letting our minds consider another possibility.

I know Oskar appreciates everything you did on his behalf to improve his life...and I know he does not blame you at all for what happened. You gave him your best and Oskar knows that. He did not leave this old Earth with anything but a deep, abiding love for you in his heart - a love that will never be severed but will remain for all time, one day bringing you back together again.

Our deepest sympathies,
Leslie, Squirt, Trinket, Brick, Sophie, Grace and our Angels at The Bridge



A Special Gift

They're a very special gift, to be cherished and loved;
You're chosen for each other by God Himself above.
It's a match made in heaven so it can't be wrong;
You're tied together by a bond that's oh so strong.

All they'll ever ask from you is to be loved and fed,
And at night make sure they have fresh water and a bed.
In return, for so little, the rewards are so great!
You'll get a companion for life with some very special traits.

When you are lost and the end seems so far away
They'll walk by your side, they'll help you find your way.
When life gets you down they can put a smile on your face
As they run you in circles with their fast pace.

You'll share the good with the bad, you'll be happy and sad;
And through it all you have a friend, the best you ever had.
You're time together will be special and unique;
It will be as priceless to you as a rare antique.

Then, before you know it, the day will arrive
When suddenly your life takes a steep dive.
The furry friend who's been with you for all of these years
Has now passed on and left you in tears.

As you sit and wonder what did I do?
Why is this all happening to you?
Into each of our lives a little rain must fall,
And you must be strong to answer the call.

Your little one's spirit has flown home on the wings of a dove,
To a special place that awaits them in heaven above.
St. Francis will meet them; when they get home
He will take them to a meadow where they're free to roam.

There in the meadows, down by the pond,
Your furry friend will remember his loving bond.
He'll look into the water, then you appear;
He can see you're frightened, he can feel your fear.

Through the bond that still ties you from heaven above
He looks down upon you, he sends you his love.
Because you loved him and because you care
Whenever you need him, he'll always be there.

There, in the meadows, they patiently wait for the day
When you will celebrate your life together, each and every day.
Waiting for that day; when you come walking back home
When together for an eternity through the meadows you'll roam.

Author Unknown

[molly muffin]

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Oskar. I am sure that your heart is broken and you miss Oskar very, very much.
It is very hard to know, because both things happened at the same time it sounds like, and the symptoms are all so similar.
My sincere condolences.
Sharlene and molly muffin

[MBK]

I just wanted to add my condolences; I am very sorry for the loss of your dear little Oskar. They are so much a part of our families that their loss is devastatingly painful. You loved Oskar and did your best for him. He was lucky to have such a caring family. You know have an angel watching over you.

Take care and be good to yourself.

[TaylorWingfield]

Thank you all for your kind words. They mean so much.

[Jenny & Judi in MN]

I'm sorry for your loss and please don't beat yourself up. Diabetes and cushings are very complex issues especially when a dog has both. We spend so much time running to the vet with cushings I'd have thought the same as you did.

I know you must be numb from the shock and i am very very sorry. Judi

[Tina]

I am so sorry to read about Oskar. As Judi said, Cushings and Diabetes are both complex issues, and diabetes can come on very quickly. So many of the symptoms of both illnesses are the same. My thoughts are with you and your family.

With deepest sympathy for your loss,
Tina and Jasper

[drmvz]

So sorry for your loss of Oskar. Please be kind and gentle to yourself. You did all you could given how he was acting. Prayers of strength and peace for you and your family.
Mike

[kaibosmom]

Sorry for your loss. As others have said diabetes and Cushing's are so difficult. We do our best for our sweet babies. Know that you made the best choices you could for her and remember all the good times. Hugs.
Nikki

[scoora]

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet boy Oskar.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[goldengirl88]

I am very sorry to hear that your dear baby has passed. I pray you have the strength to get this trying time. Blessings
Patti