I have a 2 year old lab that hs started exibiting signs of ...

Hi,

I'm sorry your lab is having trouble seeing. It sounds like you have a good vet who is doing the right kind of exam. Did your vet tell you that the retinal vessels looked normal?

There are a few differentials I would want to consider. SARDS is certain a possibility. SARDS has had some anecdotal links to hypertension, hypothyroidism and Cushing's Disease. Has your vet screened your dog for its blood pressure and hypothyroidism (common in large breed dogs)? If your dog drinks alot and pees alot, then Cushings would need to be ruled out as well.

Other things to consider for blindness --

Diseases that cause ocular inflammation (leading to poor vision) can include tick borne diseases such as Lymes disease and Ehrlichia. I'm not sure where you live, but these are diseases common to many parts of the country. Your vet can run "tick titers" to check for these.

Has your dog been treated with Ivermectin? That can cause this issue (toxicity).

Also, there is one more disease that is called "Progressive Retinal Atrophy" - it is a genetic mutation that can result in blindness. I've seen this in young dogs. There is a test for it available.

I hope this is helpful. I know this if frustrating in a young dog. You are doing the right thing by going to a specialist.

Please let me know the outcome. I share your concern.

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Thanks for the answer. My dog has been tested for lyme disease and erlicia. She has not exibited any of the symptoms of hypothyroid or cushings disease and her routine cbc and chem were normal. I guess it would be worth ruling those out but dont you think it unlikely in a young otherwise healthy dog. One more thing she was treated when I first aquired her with Ivermectin for scabies but that was 2 years ago. Do you think that could be an issue now.

Hi,

I wouldn't bother with testing her for cushings without symptoms. Hypothyroid however, is another issue. I would check for thyroid issues. It can be just under the radar and still cause problems. I also would have her blood pressure checked. Ivermectin given 2 years ago would not pose an issue now. So, absent all of that, my vote is PRA or SARDS.

I hope that I've been helpful. Please let me know if you need more info.

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Relist: I still need help.
Hey Dr Boyer or any other DVM. This is a continuation of my previous question. Long story short. I have a 2 1/2 year old spayed female lab that is fully vaccinated and never been ill except for some skin allergy issues and a bladder infecton a year or so ago. About 3 weeks ago she started having trouble seeing. We ran CBC Chem E lites all WNL. I scheduled and appt to see an ophthalmologist because we were thinking SARD and wanted to make sure. Before we could get to the appt things went from bad to much worse. She started panting and salivating profusely, paceing almost uncontrolably. Much worse than a dog that is adjusting to blindness. She would stand and look at her food but would not eat without coaxing. We ran a T4 ED and her thyroid was elevated 48 (high being 40). Suspecting a thyroid tumor we went looking only to find normal thyroid tissue and no tumor. He doctor administered dexamethasone and by the next day she seemed to be able to see much better. That was yesterday. This morning when we got up I found her ready to go out for a walk and eat but with a pretty severe head bob. Almost like a dog with post distemper syndrome. I gave her the ABX and 20mg pred and 30 minutes later the head bob had stoped. She is not nearly as affectionate as she has been but I guess that could be caused by all shes been through in the past few days but I dont really think so. Shes been lethargic all day but willing to eat and drink (due to the pred). She also flinches if you move to fast or raise your voice in the least. She looks confused and bewildered and I am at my wits end. I have thought it might be granulomatous meningoencephalitis, parasitic encephalitis, west nile virus (I live in an area with the virus) post vaccinal CDV encephalitis, autoimmune disease, vaccine induced autoimmune disease, brain tumor. I have a very go Dr but this is a wierd one. I could use some ideas. I know an MRI is recommended but I cant afford one so any suggestions.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on July 9 2006 at 10:17pm

Hi,

Wow, you've done a pretty thorough workup. The pred making her better leads me to think this is an inflammatory condition or a tumor.

I guess I would want to do a couple of other things that have not been done via blood tests:

1. Leptospirosis titer - you can see pretty severe neuro signs with this disease, like distemper. It's transmissible to people via urine. There are 5 serovars of this disease and just because she has been vaccinated, most vaccines only have 1 serovar unless you get the separate lepto containing all 5. The DHLPP won't cover it.

2. Tick titers - Ehrlichia, Lymes disease, etc.

3. ANA - anti-nuclear antibody test -- will help see if this is autoimmune disease.

The last thing I would do is to spend $75-100 for a consultation with a board certified neurologist or internal medicine veterinarian. I would hope your vet would be able to refer you for a consult. They have 3-4 additional years of training and in my experience, the money s well spent.

I hope that these ideas are helpful. Please keep me posted.

Dr. Lisa

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Hi Dr Lisa, Thanks so much for taking the time to read and answer my question (s). I think it is a good idea to run a lepto titer since I do live in a rural area with a large populaton of cyotes and some smaller wild animals. I know lepto is missed many times because most people dont even know about it. ANA is so non specific but I aggree it should be run. I dont know of any neurologists in our area but it would be worth a trip to LA just to find out whats going on. She seems fine this morning but still a little distant and her vision is still not 100%. At least she didnt wake up with the head bob like yesterday. I will take her to work with me tomorow and send out that lepto and ANA. My guess is it's looking more and more like a brain tumor. Just an opinion what do you think the most likely cause is. Once I accept is there any way for me to contact you and let you know what we find out.

Sure - you can contact me at petdr2002@aol.com . I'd be more than happy to chat about it and know what's going on. I would wonder about lepto.......or some type of GME. Seems like she's too young for a brain tumor.

I can help you get a referral to a neurologist. Let me know where you live....

Dr. Lisa

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