Do all SARDS dogs develop adrenal exhaustion?
Individual dogs react differently. Some percentage of SARD dogs clearly develop adrenal exhaustion (elevated sex-hormones) based on their blood work and clinical signs/symptoms. A small percentage of SARDS dogs go on to develop true Cushing’s disease (a tumor on either the pituitary or adrenal glands). The remaining portion of SARD dogs may tolerate slightly elevated estrogen for a few years, giving the impression that they have adapted. Emerging evidence suggests that SARD dogs have been producing high-normal or slightly elevated levels of estrogen for some time before the onset of blindness. Then a triggering factor increases estrogen production. Examples include: springtime or autumn when adrenal activity normally ramps up, a stressful event like home remodeling or kenneling, or excessive vaccination. The tired adrenal glands are forced to secrete even more estrogen. Consequently, dogs may start having accidents in the house, an annual springtime ear infection, a seizure, or the ons
