A Sexy Pug And Her Diagnosis Of SARD

Hey everyone!

Penny spent most of the day at the eye doctor undergoing
some tests. She was not the happiest pug when I left
her at the vet. She even threatened to slap me if
I did not give her whipped cream after her
appointment. Despite her anxiety, the
visit was productive because Penny
was officially diagnosed
with SARD.

The doctor performed an ERG. This procedure entails placing
contact lenses on the eyes, and testing electrical activity
of the retina. The doctor also reviewed Penny's blood
tests, blood pressure and x-rays, which were all
normal.

Despite the bad news and the fact that Penny is now blind,
I feel very relieved and grateful she was not diagnosed
with cancer, or something more severe. She is not in
any pain, but the doctor told us that we will have
to be on the lookout for other things that can
accompany SARD, such as cataracts,
glaucoma, liver and kidney
issues.

I am also going to need to get her weight down.
Dogs with SARD tend to become very overweight.
She is a sexy beefy pug, but I don't want
her to become obese and put her health
at further risk.

It's going to take a few months for Penny to adjust to
her new situation, but I think she's going to be just
fine. We're taking it one step at a time for now.
We appreciate your comments and concern so
much! We feel very lucky to have such a
great pug blogging support system! I'm
pretty overwhelmed with all of this,
but I think this will all become
normal in time.

We're gearing up for Thanksgiving, which I can't
believe is only a few days away! I hope
everyone is preparing some delicious
food for you and your pugs. Penny
will be enjoying some low-fat
snacks.

I haven't been able to take any recent photos of
Penny, but the photos posted here were taken
last November of Penny in her Holiday
sweater. So sexy! Penny and I want
to wish everyone a great
Thanksgiving if we
don't blog with
you in the
next few
days!



"Take it in. It took me 18 minutes to squeeze into
this baby, but I look so sexy."

Eye Doctor Follow Up

Penny went to the eye specialist today. We were told that due to
her eyes looking normal under the lights they use, her sudden
blindness is likely due to SARD (Sudden Acquired Retinal
Degeneration). It's a disease that causes sudden loss
of vision. There is also a very small chance the
medication she was taking caused her to lose
her vision. She could also have a
neurological problem such as a
brain tumor. The doctor said
it is more likely she has
SARD than a tumor, but
we are going back on
Monday for a more
extensive eye
scan.

We will be able to tell whether or not this is
SARD after the scan. If the test comes back
normal, we will have to follow up with a
neurologist.

No one wants their animal to have any of the following, but SARD
is better than a tumor. With SARD, she will be blind permanently,
but she will live a normal life once she adapts to it. I am
hoping for the best, but also keeping it in the back of
my mind that I may be faced with the worst. I'll
let everyone know the results of her
test on Monday.

For a pug than just lost her vision, she is already starting to
adapt. She is learning how to see without sight, and she seems
less upset than she has been over the last few days. I have
begun to proof our condo. She tends to run into the same
objects, so I am padding everything up. This way, if
she hits her face or eyes, she won't hurt herself.
This is the first time I have ever cared for a
furry child that is blind, so I am learning
just as she is.

I have also had to come up with new command words.
This helps her know when something is
approaching, or she is about to
bump into it.

Penny is resting comfortably right now. She went
to Starbucks today. I thought it would only be
fair that she receive a treat for everything
she is going through. She couldn't see,
but she knew exactly where we were
as we approached the drive-thru
window and she got her cup of
whipped cream!

Pug Medical Issues That Smell Like Poop

Penny went to the vet this morning for her re-check, and her
infections seem to be clearing up. But, on the heels of
her infections, we were dealt another blow. A few
days ago, I noticed Penny was wobbly at times
and knocking into things. I assumed she was
just loopy from all of the medication
she has been on.

But it seems to be more serious. As of right now, Penny has
very little vision. It seems as though she can see a little
out of her left eye, but not much. The vet told me her
pupils are not reacting to light, but she cannot
see any abnormalities.

Penny has an appointment tomorrow with an animal eye
specialist, and we are hoping to get to the bottom of
this and find out if this is temporary or permanent.
The vision loss became more apparent after she
began taking the medications for her
infections. I really hope one of her
medications did not cause her
to go blind. If it did, this
will be permanent.

Over the last 24 hours Penny has been confused.
Her pug tail is always uncoiled and she
is running full force into walls and
table chairs, so I can't let
her out of my sight.

She is sleeping and laying down a lot because she is
having a hard time navigating. All I can do right
now is be with her and not leave her
by herself.

I don't know what caused or is causing her vision impairment,
but she literally lost her vision overnight. I'm doing as
much research as I can and talking with our vet to
better adapt Penny to this new situation to
prepare us if this does happen to be
permanent. I won't know anything
until tomorrow, but I will be
sure to let everyone know
what happens and how
she is doing.

We're just going to take it day by day like we do everything else,
and hope for the best. No matter what happens, Penny will get
through this. I'm going to be sure to give her plenty of
whipped cream, and let her listen to as much
Michael Jackson music as she wants
while we figure this out.

An Award For Penny!

Penny was browsing your pug blogs last night and saw that Arlo the Pug gave Penny and I an award!




Here the terms of this award:

1. Publish a post on your blog - referring who awarded you.
2. Share 5 things you like to do (five for Penny, five for me).
3. Share or pass this award to 10 friends.

Ok let's do this!

Five things Penny can't live without:
1. Going to the drive-thru Starbucks for whipped cream
2. Eating whipped cream at home watching Spongebob
3. Taking a poop (while I sing Michael Jackson songs to her)
4. Sleeping (and cuddling)
5. Eating

Five things I like to do:
1. Hang out with Penny (and my other non pug family members)
2. Paint
3. Hike
4. Explore new places and big cities
5. Help animals

10 friends I am showing pug love to are:
1. Melissa and Emmitt
2. Arlo the Pug
3. Pug(s)and Bugg
4. Harry Pugalicious
5. Salinger
6. Nevis
7. Tuni and Sequoia
8. Smiling Pug Winston Wilbur
9. Lilo
10.Stubby

I'm sure some of you already received this, but I
wanted to share this and thank everyone for
reading Penny's blog!

Can I Get A Little Cool Whip To Wash This Whipped Cream Down?

Penny enjoyed a nice outing to Starbucks today.
There was a van in front of us with a dog
sticking his head out the window, and
when he approached the pick-up
window, the baristas gave
him some whipped cream
too! I think Penny
started a trend
here in Vegas.

I take no responsibility for this!
At least I don't let her suck on
the whipped cream nozzle.
Okay, maybe I did once
at home. Just
kidding!

Her lips never touched the nozzle.
I just let the whipped cream
drop into her mouth.

We've also been gearing up for the Holidays.
I will be scouring our garage for the
Christmas decorations. I can't wait!
I still haven't started my X-mas
shopping, but Penny's grandma
bought her a cute Christmas
t-shirt and sweater, and
I'm excited for them to
get here! I hope
they fit.

I think Penny may have gained one or two pre-Holiday pounds.
She has her vet check up on Thursday, and I suspect the
doctor is going to give me a lecture and some tips on
how to lower her weight. I would have to disagree
she is overweight. Some doctors have told me
she is at a great weight for her size,
while others say she is too beefy.
I guess we'll see! I hope
everyone is having
a great week!

I'm Feeling Better. Please Bring Me My Whipped Cream!

Penny is feeling better today! She spent most of the
afternoon barking at the guys in our condo who
were here to replace our water heater.
We woke up this morning to find we
didn't have hot water! Penny
can’t be expected to take
a cold bath!

She is up and playing with her toys. She even felt like
posing for a photo! She'll probably spend this
weekend eating whipped cream, watching
cartoons and going for a few walks
while she's on the mend from
this sickness. We hope
everyone has a great
weekend!

Sick Sexy Pug

Hey everyone!

Penny and I haven't had much time to write this week.
We've been spending a lot of time at the vet. One
morning Penny woke me up, and I could tell
something was really wrong. The slight
cough she has had for a couple of
weeks, was suddenly worse. She
wasn't acting like her sexy
self.

The doctors ran some tests and had to keep Penny for
a few hours. They finally had the results in after
a long 24 hour wait. While she was at the vet,
the office received numerous worrisome, and
obsessive calls from me. "How's my baby,
is she scared? If you could rate her
nervousness on a scale of 1 to 10
what would it be? When can I
pick her up?"

I don't do well when she is away.
I think I have more separation
anxiety than she has. We're
a perfect match for one
another.

We found out from the x rays, Penny has a lung infection,
as well as an intestinal infection. She also has a pretty
severe case of arthritis in her back legs. The doctor
has her started on some strong antibiotics and
cough meds.

She's on the road to recovery and enjoying being waited on
hand and foot. She is watching cartoons all day and
sleeping. No sickness can keep a beefy sexy pug
down! I'll let you know how she is doing and
we really appreciate all the well wishes!

Penny and I would also like to give a shout out
to all those that are serving and have served
in the military! Especially to my brother
Brett, who is overseas serving in the
Navy right now!

Happy Veterans Day!