SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome)

[Dale Moss]

I guess this animal question is really directed at Russell. Russell, your
recent posts about Cushing's prompt me to ask if you've ever treated SARDS
homeopathically. My brother's dog, a Springer spaniel, recently went blind
from this disorder. I haven't seen the dog, who is several thousand miles
away, but have heard that he's apathetic and listless, possibly "depressed",
bumping into objects and walls, etc. Prior to the diagnosis, he had "huge"
dilated pupils and a terrific appetite.

My first thought was that Gelsemium might help, but I learned last night
that his awkwardness and disorientation occur only at night (from about 8 PM
on); he's fine during the day. I also learned that his prodigious appetite,
which has since disappeared, was rather SRP -- he stole (and consumed)
peaches, a box of candy, and an entire cantaloupe.

No evidence of Cushing's from the bloodwork, although I understand that the
damage to the retina comes from (or is associated with?) a massive release
of cortisol. Can you shed any light on SARDS for me, and is there any
remedy that might help the dog at this point? Not that any would restore
his sight but that it might help him adjust better to his new status as a
dog who needs a seeing-eye human.

Peace,
Cinnabar

[petsfriend]

Cinnabar,

I can't say I have treated such a case. Although it brings to mind a case
presentation I saw in India of Macular degeration in a man that resulted in
tremendous improvement in vision. On the surface, it sounds like he moved
fom sycosis (the dilated pupils and huge appetite) to syph (the retinal
degeneration). I would approach it like any other case of chronic disease.
Spaniels often have long histories of skin/ear problems and suppressive
therapies, especially corticosteroids. So, the history would be important as
well as A/F (vaccines?). The up side is that generally dogs do very well as
they adjust to not seeing. I have been in homes with completely blind dogs
and could not tell.

be well
Russell Swift, DVM
Classical Homeopath
phone 561-391-5615
email drswift@therightremedy.com
www.therightremedy.com

"Allopaths have protocols, Homeopaths have principles."
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[Leilanae]

DMH wrote:
snip.............
snip.......

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Hi,

When did he eat the box of candy and was it chocolate?

Leilanae
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Dale Moss]

Thanks for your reply, Russell.

The dog does appear to be doing well, at least during the day when he has no trouble navigating by memory or scent. But I'm curious about his apparent disorientation at night. Another syphilitic sign?

Peace,
Cinnabar

[Dale Moss]

Hi, Leilanae --

I don't know if it was chocolate. Whatever it was did not bring on the SARDS -- increased appetite shortly before the onset of blindness is a symptom of the disorder.

Peace,
Cinnabar

[Joy Lucas]

Dear Cinnabar,

Couldn't the answer to this be quite simple, in as much as during the day it
might be possible that some actual light of some kind is filtering through
the damaged retina and obviously as darkness falls this is reduced causing
much more distress. Memory and scent still remain even during darkness. If
not then it is symptomatic of the case and should be incorporated. Just a
few thoughts.

Best wishes, Joy
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[petsfriend]

Syph. usually agg sunset to sunrise.

be well

Russell Swift, DVM
Classical Homeopath
phone 561-391-5615
email drswift@therightremedy.com
www.therightremedy.com

"Allopaths have protocols, Homeopaths have principles."
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Dale Moss]

Thanks, Russell. It looks like a good miasmatic fit.

Peace,
Cinnabar