Toast the Narcoleptic Doodle

Toast is a rescue golden doodle born in October 2022. Toast was left to be euthanized by his breeder at Midwest Animal Hospital when he was about 5 weeks old. Thankfully the staff stepped in and reached out to PAWS Tinley Park to collaborate to get Toast into foster and to get a diagnosis. At first it appeared that Toast might be having seizures, it was apparent that a consult with a neurologic veterinarian would be needed. Thanks to much testing and the help from both Purdue University and UC Davis they had a diagnosis, Toast has a severe case of narcolepsy with cataplexy.

Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that can affect animals causing excessive sleep, loss of movement, and sudden collapse. Upon waking, Toast will carry on as if nothing happened. Cataplexy is a symptom that can accompany narcolepsy and causes temporary loss of reflexes and muscle paralysis. Episodes can last seconds to minutes and are triggered with excitement, for example playing, eating, or going to the bathroom. Unfortunately, there is no cure but there are medications that can help reduce symptoms, Toast is currently on small dose of Ritalin.

It is important to know that narcolepsy/cataplexy does not cause any pain and he should live a happy and long life.

Toast came to us as a foster from PAWS. I have volunteered with our local shelters, including PAWS off and on for 20 years. He came into our home on April 1, 2023. We fell in love and Toast and adopted him in August 2023. He thrives in our home, especially with our other rescue pets. We have 3 dogs and 4 cats, some of which also have special needs.

The funds raised will be used for Toast’s and family’s veterinary bills and way of life. We are currently trying to get him in with the neurologic specialist to do further testing and hoping to try other meds to help with his symptoms. He also needs to have surgery on his right eye as he has a condition where his lower eyelid turns inward causing his lashes to rub against the eye. This can cause ulceration and infection if not corrected. We will update as we get information.

Thank you for your support, kindness and love for Toast, we are so grateful!

UPDATE! Toast had his double eyelid surgery and it was a success! He is fully recovered! Thank you to all who have donated, we are forever grateful!

We are currently hoping to raise the funds to get Toast into regular, weekly physical therapy sessions. Because of the narcolepsy and cataplexy Toast does not get much exercise and this is taking a toll on his muscles and joints. Toast is currently 73lbs and that is a lot of weight to carry on his joints, especially as he ages. Our veterinarian suggests we start therapy as soon as feasible.