12/28/11 - I hope all my readers had a wonderful holiday with their families and fur babies, and are looking forward to the new year!
Reo has been doing very well lately - she loves having me at home all day (all the dogs do!), and I love it, too! I've noticed Reo is a lot more mobile, and it's only increasing with time. She goes upstairs by herself a lot these days - she likes to lay on the couch in Sean's office from time to time. It used to make me nervous because I was worried she'd fall (there are many steps!), but after watching her so many times, I know she's confident. She inspected each Christmas gift extensively, and navigated the maze on the floor of gifts, discarded wrapping paper, and dog toys. She's doing so well!
As another vision tidbit, I've noticed that she goes after her Medrol and L-thyroxine tablets first in her meal. she sees them and eats them first! It's so cute. I'm not sure if she thinks it's her tasty Dasquin tablet (which I crumble up for her evening meal), but she definitely selectively goes for the tablets first, as if they were a special treat! Makes me smile every time. :)
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Dress up
12/20/11 - I've had the Min Pins in the office with me so far this week, which is a nice treat for both me and the dogs (poor Tula must stay home and be a good guard dog Doberman!). One of my co-workers has brought her daughter in as well (as she's off from school for the holidays). This little girl loves my little dogs, and this week she had some crafty supplies, and put them to good work on the Mins!
The first picture is Leigh and Reo with their office "bling" - some bead necklaces that coordinate with their existing collars!
The next picture came from today's crafty concoction - she made ribbon "hair" for Reo, secured by another ribbon, of course! Who says that small dogs are not patient and gentle with children? :)
I think this new hair made Reo feel sassy - she actually left it on for quite a while! The ribbon crafts were extended to include hula skirts, as well, but they were not photographed. ;)
The first picture is Leigh and Reo with their office "bling" - some bead necklaces that coordinate with their existing collars!
The next picture came from today's crafty concoction - she made ribbon "hair" for Reo, secured by another ribbon, of course! Who says that small dogs are not patient and gentle with children? :)
I think this new hair made Reo feel sassy - she actually left it on for quite a while! The ribbon crafts were extended to include hula skirts, as well, but they were not photographed. ;)
Friday, December 16, 2011
Vision improvement
12/16/11 - Yesterday was a good day for Reo! We noticed a drastic improvement in her vision, for some reason. As you know from reading this blog, her vision is excellent outside/bright lighting, but sometimes she struggles in dim light, or at night.
Typically Reo is fairly cautious going up/down the stairs (okay, it's mostly from me training her to go slow because I was worried she'd fall). I got home yesterday from work, and she FLEW down the stairs to greet me! She used to do this thing where she used her front paws as a "slide", and went down the stairs with only her back feet. It was always sort of funny to me, but this is what she did yesterday! Just as fast as she used to do - and I have not seen her do this since before she lost her sight back in March. I was surprised, but Reo was clearly pleased with herself, nubbin' wagging a mile a minute!
Sean told me she had had a good day (she lazed in our bed after I went to work until midday), and was in a good mood. I took all the dogs outside. Again, Reo is typically cautious going up and down the stairs to the deck, walking, and taking the steps one at a time. Yesterday, both out and back, she was at a full run and lept up the stairs! Again, something I have not seen since she lost her sight!
After dinner, I took out the ol' cotton ball and tested her sight, even in the dim lighting of the living room. She was en pointe, and followed it up, down, side to side, and when I dropped it. Very sharp, and nearly as good as Leigh (who can't resist for some reason when I have the cotton out - she likes to follow it around, too!). Reo's reward was to kill a bunny fur ball cat toy, which is her favorite! She loves ripping those to shreds and pulling all the fur out. Crazy dog.
I'm not sure the cause of the dramatic change all of a sudden, but she seems to be doing just as well this morning. I hope it's here to stay! :)
Typically Reo is fairly cautious going up/down the stairs (okay, it's mostly from me training her to go slow because I was worried she'd fall). I got home yesterday from work, and she FLEW down the stairs to greet me! She used to do this thing where she used her front paws as a "slide", and went down the stairs with only her back feet. It was always sort of funny to me, but this is what she did yesterday! Just as fast as she used to do - and I have not seen her do this since before she lost her sight back in March. I was surprised, but Reo was clearly pleased with herself, nubbin' wagging a mile a minute!
Sean told me she had had a good day (she lazed in our bed after I went to work until midday), and was in a good mood. I took all the dogs outside. Again, Reo is typically cautious going up and down the stairs to the deck, walking, and taking the steps one at a time. Yesterday, both out and back, she was at a full run and lept up the stairs! Again, something I have not seen since she lost her sight!
After dinner, I took out the ol' cotton ball and tested her sight, even in the dim lighting of the living room. She was en pointe, and followed it up, down, side to side, and when I dropped it. Very sharp, and nearly as good as Leigh (who can't resist for some reason when I have the cotton out - she likes to follow it around, too!). Reo's reward was to kill a bunny fur ball cat toy, which is her favorite! She loves ripping those to shreds and pulling all the fur out. Crazy dog.
I'm not sure the cause of the dramatic change all of a sudden, but she seems to be doing just as well this morning. I hope it's here to stay! :)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Hormone replacement
12/13/11 - Some discussions I've had lately about supplements have made me want to write this post. I've been contacted, and have posted on message boards concerning which supplements to source for SARDS dogs, and the correct dosages.
It's no shock that many SARDS dog owners have their dogs on supplements to help maintain/preserve some vision, keep the immune system healthy, slow the ageing process, etc. But the most important part of Levin's and Plechner's treatment protocols is the low-dose hormone replacement.
Make no mistake, if your dog has adrenal exhaustion/Plechner's syndrome, no amount of antioxidant or mineral supplementation is going to get your dog healthy. The ONLY treatment that will work is low dose cortisol replacement (methlyprednisolone/Medrol), and likely simultaneous thyroid hormone replacement (L-thyroxine/Soloxine). Many people and vets shy away from long-term hormone replacement, but please keep in mind that the prescribed doses are not therapeutic. They only help the dog's body replace what it can't make naturally.
A rough analogy would be your human doctor telling you that you are deficient in Vitamin D, and prescribing that you take a Vitamin D supplement. Your body needs Vitamin D to function normally, but your doctor only wants to to consume/supplement a certain amount each day. If you take more than you should, then it becomes therapeutic, and you can suffer ill effects due to too much Vitamin D.
I think some folks out there have tried Caroline Levin's protocol on their SARDS dog using Cell Advance, Magnesium, and Phosphatidyl Serine and proclaimed it "didn't work". Well, if one ONLY did this, of course it would not work. If the dog has adrenal exhaustion/Plechner's syndrome, the root cause is malfunctioning adrenal glands, and improper hormone synthesis. This problem requires hormone replacement in order to be corrected.
Whether you choose to follow Caroline Levin's or Dr. Plechner's protocol (or do a mish mash like I did for Reo), it's up to you. But please don't mistake anything that I've written on my blog - it's the hormone replacement that is the key to success - the most critical component of your dog's treatment. The supplements are a great support, but only when done in conjunction with hormone replacement.
It's no shock that many SARDS dog owners have their dogs on supplements to help maintain/preserve some vision, keep the immune system healthy, slow the ageing process, etc. But the most important part of Levin's and Plechner's treatment protocols is the low-dose hormone replacement.
Make no mistake, if your dog has adrenal exhaustion/Plechner's syndrome, no amount of antioxidant or mineral supplementation is going to get your dog healthy. The ONLY treatment that will work is low dose cortisol replacement (methlyprednisolone/Medrol), and likely simultaneous thyroid hormone replacement (L-thyroxine/Soloxine). Many people and vets shy away from long-term hormone replacement, but please keep in mind that the prescribed doses are not therapeutic. They only help the dog's body replace what it can't make naturally.
A rough analogy would be your human doctor telling you that you are deficient in Vitamin D, and prescribing that you take a Vitamin D supplement. Your body needs Vitamin D to function normally, but your doctor only wants to to consume/supplement a certain amount each day. If you take more than you should, then it becomes therapeutic, and you can suffer ill effects due to too much Vitamin D.
I think some folks out there have tried Caroline Levin's protocol on their SARDS dog using Cell Advance, Magnesium, and Phosphatidyl Serine and proclaimed it "didn't work". Well, if one ONLY did this, of course it would not work. If the dog has adrenal exhaustion/Plechner's syndrome, the root cause is malfunctioning adrenal glands, and improper hormone synthesis. This problem requires hormone replacement in order to be corrected.
Whether you choose to follow Caroline Levin's or Dr. Plechner's protocol (or do a mish mash like I did for Reo), it's up to you. But please don't mistake anything that I've written on my blog - it's the hormone replacement that is the key to success - the most critical component of your dog's treatment. The supplements are a great support, but only when done in conjunction with hormone replacement.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Home sweet home!
12/09/11 - After a ridiculously long and complicated journey yesterday, I made it back from Germany safe and sound! It is always such a happy homecoming to three wagging nubbins! The unconditional love of a dog is a beautiful thing.
Reo did well when I was away. We didn't pulse her Medrol dosage, but Sean reported that she did have some slight PD/PU at about the 3rd day I was gone. I asked him to give her a bump up the next morning, so maybe we'll try pulsing her every 3rd day next time I am out of town. I feel slightly guilty that my absence gives her stress, and I always worry that she's still not stable with respect to her hormones. Time will tell - we'll get another blood panel at the end of this month.
In other news, we have a mouse in the house! A little grey mouse made his/her appearance known this afternoon. Tula and I noticed right away, and she tore into the kitchen in pursuit. Reo was soon after, and I think the mouse went under the stove, because Reo focused her enhanced sniffer there. I suspect the mouse came up from the unfinished basement through a hole in the floor from an old gas line. This is definitely exciting, and I feel sorry for the mouse who decided to share space with three pinschers and two kitties. Poor mouse! ;)
Reo did well when I was away. We didn't pulse her Medrol dosage, but Sean reported that she did have some slight PD/PU at about the 3rd day I was gone. I asked him to give her a bump up the next morning, so maybe we'll try pulsing her every 3rd day next time I am out of town. I feel slightly guilty that my absence gives her stress, and I always worry that she's still not stable with respect to her hormones. Time will tell - we'll get another blood panel at the end of this month.
In other news, we have a mouse in the house! A little grey mouse made his/her appearance known this afternoon. Tula and I noticed right away, and she tore into the kitchen in pursuit. Reo was soon after, and I think the mouse went under the stove, because Reo focused her enhanced sniffer there. I suspect the mouse came up from the unfinished basement through a hole in the floor from an old gas line. This is definitely exciting, and I feel sorry for the mouse who decided to share space with three pinschers and two kitties. Poor mouse! ;)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Going pulse-less
12/03/11 - Today I leave for a trip to Germany for work. I'll be gone for 5 nights, and Sean and I decided not to pulse Reo's Medrol dose. During my last trip, Sean felt that Reo didn't really need the pulsing, and she had some symptoms like PD/PU as a result of the increased dosage. So, we'll see how she does without while I'm gone.
Reo has been doing super well lately - her mood is off the charts on the happy scale, which is of course great to see. :) Unfortunately, there is a lot of rain in the forecast for the next week, which means no dog walks for any of the Pins in our household!
Business idea - indoor dog park! Not indoor doggie daycare, aka, the concrete jungle, which is no fun for people or dogs!
Reo has been doing super well lately - her mood is off the charts on the happy scale, which is of course great to see. :) Unfortunately, there is a lot of rain in the forecast for the next week, which means no dog walks for any of the Pins in our household!
Business idea - indoor dog park! Not indoor doggie daycare, aka, the concrete jungle, which is no fun for people or dogs!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Stinky breath and dental care
11/30/11 - Before we adopted Reo, she had to have 16 of her teeth pulled. Part of this was due to genetics (teensy weensy teeth), and part of it was because she had some tooth decay/gum disease as a result of poor attention. Since then, Reo has had an annual dental cleaning under anesthesia at our vet's office. I've tried the OraVet stuff that our vet suggested post-cleaning, but I find it really expensive, a pain to apply, and it doesn't really work. Plus, the dogs hate it!
Both of our Min Pins have always had pretty awful breath. I think this is a small dog trait for some reason, as I can't think of one small dog I've met whose breath smelled acceptable. It's so weird that big dogs don't suffer with the same frequency. Our Doberman has incredible white teeth and insanely pink and healthy gums, and we never brush her teeth.
Anyway, I was on the hunt for a product to help make Reo's dental care easier. Because I will no longer put her under anesthesia for a cleaning due to the stress and possible estrogen spike, and she despises me brushing (not to mention the difficulties of getting a brush in her tiny little mouth), I wanted to see if I could find something else.
I came across this product called LebaIII (pronounced lee-ba three) made by Lebalab, Inc. I'm not sure how they came up with the name - I find it slightly annoying. ;) It has pretty good reviews, so I thought we'd give it a try. It's a formulation of mint and rose, stabilized in water and alcohol. It is quite expensive for a product that is mostly water and alcohol, but I figured we'd give it a month and see how it goes.
I give Reo and Leigh two squirts on the mouth/tongue. It says apply it directly to the tongue (and no food/water 30 mins before or after application), but they won't open their mouths easily and let me spray, so I sort of pick up their upper lip on the side and spray it in there. After a few seconds of licking, they're right back to whatever they were doing. They definitely don't seem to mind this, and it's a lot easier than brushing.
It took a while to see/smell results. I noticed that Reo's breath was a LOT better, and Leigh's was getting better (Leigh has always had the worst breath ever...). After about 6 weeks of usage, I think that it's easier for me to scrape some tartar off their teeth - I can do it with my fingernail when they let me. The other day, I used a papertowel wrapped around my finger and a huge chunk came off one of Reo's back molars! It's definitely working. It's worthy of note that Leigh did have an annual dental cleaning this year (in the late spring, I think?) and she already had had some heavy tartar on her back molars by the time I started using the LebaIII. I guess she is just prone.
So, overall, I am going to continue to use this product, as I've found it easy to administer, and it's producing results. I'd rather not ever have to have a dental cleaning again for our dogs, and so this product's cost is offset by not doing an annual cleaning.
Both of our Min Pins have always had pretty awful breath. I think this is a small dog trait for some reason, as I can't think of one small dog I've met whose breath smelled acceptable. It's so weird that big dogs don't suffer with the same frequency. Our Doberman has incredible white teeth and insanely pink and healthy gums, and we never brush her teeth.
Anyway, I was on the hunt for a product to help make Reo's dental care easier. Because I will no longer put her under anesthesia for a cleaning due to the stress and possible estrogen spike, and she despises me brushing (not to mention the difficulties of getting a brush in her tiny little mouth), I wanted to see if I could find something else.
I came across this product called LebaIII (pronounced lee-ba three) made by Lebalab, Inc. I'm not sure how they came up with the name - I find it slightly annoying. ;) It has pretty good reviews, so I thought we'd give it a try. It's a formulation of mint and rose, stabilized in water and alcohol. It is quite expensive for a product that is mostly water and alcohol, but I figured we'd give it a month and see how it goes.
I give Reo and Leigh two squirts on the mouth/tongue. It says apply it directly to the tongue (and no food/water 30 mins before or after application), but they won't open their mouths easily and let me spray, so I sort of pick up their upper lip on the side and spray it in there. After a few seconds of licking, they're right back to whatever they were doing. They definitely don't seem to mind this, and it's a lot easier than brushing.
It took a while to see/smell results. I noticed that Reo's breath was a LOT better, and Leigh's was getting better (Leigh has always had the worst breath ever...). After about 6 weeks of usage, I think that it's easier for me to scrape some tartar off their teeth - I can do it with my fingernail when they let me. The other day, I used a papertowel wrapped around my finger and a huge chunk came off one of Reo's back molars! It's definitely working. It's worthy of note that Leigh did have an annual dental cleaning this year (in the late spring, I think?) and she already had had some heavy tartar on her back molars by the time I started using the LebaIII. I guess she is just prone.
So, overall, I am going to continue to use this product, as I've found it easy to administer, and it's producing results. I'd rather not ever have to have a dental cleaning again for our dogs, and so this product's cost is offset by not doing an annual cleaning.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Giving thanks...
11/28/11 - This post comes after "the day", but the sentiment is still the same. We had a great Thanksgiving this year, with both of my siblings traveling to be with us for a massive feast! It was so nice to have a few days off, spend time with family, and enjoy delicious food and drink!
The dogs had a great time, too, as they enjoyed eating the turkey heart, liver, and neck meat, along with a little premium muscle meat!
Spirits were high this past week, but I still had time to reflect on what was important. I have learned so much this past year (about things I wish I didn't have to, to be honest!), and feel like I have grown as a person, and certainly as a dog owner. I am so grateful for all of the help and support I have had along the way to help get Reo to a better place (and keep me sane!).
In no particular order, I am so thankful for:
- Caroline Levin, and all of her diligent research, creating a protocol to help SARDS dogs with adrenal exhaustion, her support and guidance, and her great book Living with Blind Dogs
- Dr. Plechner, whose never-ending desire to help people and animals (in the face of endless negativity from the veterinary community) successfully helped our family deal with Reo's Plechner Syndrome. I'm thankful for his patience in answering my myriad questions, and giving me explanations when things didn't make sense
- Dr. O, who agreed to undertake Dr. Plechner's protocol after Dr. N turned us down
- Dr. Lanz, whose acupuncture treatments truly helped to mitigate Reo's symptoms, and whose perspective helped me to get by, week by week
- A brave and wonderful dog in Reo, who was so patient as we worked to get her healthy - she has such a big heart! Our relationship certainly has grown stronger this year
- A steadfast supporter, and love of my life, Sean, who reminded me of our priorities and made sure I was taking care of myself
- My alma mater and previous employers, without whom I wouldn't be able to comprehend most of the biochemistry and scientific terms involved in adrenal exhaustion/Plechner syndrome!
- The financial means to support our family, pursue treatment and supplements to cure Reo's condition, and feed our entire family of humans, dogs, and cats premium, healthful food
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and took time out to remember the things for which you are thankful!
The dogs had a great time, too, as they enjoyed eating the turkey heart, liver, and neck meat, along with a little premium muscle meat!
Spirits were high this past week, but I still had time to reflect on what was important. I have learned so much this past year (about things I wish I didn't have to, to be honest!), and feel like I have grown as a person, and certainly as a dog owner. I am so grateful for all of the help and support I have had along the way to help get Reo to a better place (and keep me sane!).
In no particular order, I am so thankful for:
- Caroline Levin, and all of her diligent research, creating a protocol to help SARDS dogs with adrenal exhaustion, her support and guidance, and her great book Living with Blind Dogs
- Dr. Plechner, whose never-ending desire to help people and animals (in the face of endless negativity from the veterinary community) successfully helped our family deal with Reo's Plechner Syndrome. I'm thankful for his patience in answering my myriad questions, and giving me explanations when things didn't make sense
- Dr. O, who agreed to undertake Dr. Plechner's protocol after Dr. N turned us down
- Dr. Lanz, whose acupuncture treatments truly helped to mitigate Reo's symptoms, and whose perspective helped me to get by, week by week
- A brave and wonderful dog in Reo, who was so patient as we worked to get her healthy - she has such a big heart! Our relationship certainly has grown stronger this year
- A steadfast supporter, and love of my life, Sean, who reminded me of our priorities and made sure I was taking care of myself
- My alma mater and previous employers, without whom I wouldn't be able to comprehend most of the biochemistry and scientific terms involved in adrenal exhaustion/Plechner syndrome!
- The financial means to support our family, pursue treatment and supplements to cure Reo's condition, and feed our entire family of humans, dogs, and cats premium, healthful food
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and took time out to remember the things for which you are thankful!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sharing the holidays with your pet
11/21/11 - Thanksgiving is this week, and I'm pretty excited about our feast! I'm going to cook up the turkey organ meats for our dogs for a special treat!
The Honest Kitchen wrote a great blog article about how to share food from the holidays with your pets! Check it out:
Don't forget your pet when preparing holiday meals
The Honest Kitchen wrote a great blog article about how to share food from the holidays with your pets! Check it out:
Don't forget your pet when preparing holiday meals
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
If I had another SARDS dog...
11/16/11 - Some of the recent comments on my blog got me thinking: "If I had another dog diagnosed with SARDS, what would I do, now that I have all this (unfortunate) 'experience' under my belt?". Of course, I hope that this would never happen!!
Well, this would be my course of action if I started to notice one of my dogs displaying the early signs of adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome/SARDS (increased thirst, urination, hunger, panting/heat intolerance, inappropriate elimination, lethargy, depression, confusion, trouble seeing...). After my initial shock of "how the hell could this happen AGAIN?!", I would most certainly act quickly by doing the following:
Please remember - I am not a veterinarian, and I don't present this list to suggest a treatment for your dog! These are only my suggestions for action based on my experience with one dog - Reo. These suggestions may seem crazy and outlandish to some, but - this is my blog, afterall. ;) If I can give you and/or your vet food for thought, than that is good enough for me.
1) Switch up the diet (this is a moot point for us, since all the dogs are on high-quality, grain-free, low phytoestrogenic dehydrated raw food, with cooked protein and veggies on top). But, if my dog was eating commercial kibble that contained grain or a lot of phytoestrogenic ingredients, I would make the switch right away. Also switch to all natural, hormone/antibiotic-free, made in the USA - not China!, grain-free treats, as high-quality as possible.
2) Immediately get blood drawn for an EI-1 panel from NVDS, as well as a SuperChem CBC blood test at the vet.
3) Order the supplements that Caroline Levin suggests in her protocol - Cell Advance, Phosphatidyl Serine, Magnesium Taurate. Order Source Naturals Lutein supplement. Order the Nutrimin mineral supplement that Dr. Plechner suggests (all my dogs are already on this).
4) Start the dog on the supplements as soon as they are received, even if blood tests have not returned yet. Also begin feeding sardines packed in olive oil, a natural dietary source of adenosine. Reo gets 2 per day, so I would increase that based on my dog's weight.
5) Evaluate the results of the blood tests. If the SuperChem CBC shows elevated liver enzymes, I would start my dog on the Vetri-DMG liquid supplement.
6) If (and only if) the EI-1 panel shows the "classic" signs of adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome (high estrogen, high or low cortisol, low thyroid, low immunoglobulins), I would ask my vet to prescribe Soloxine/L-thyroxine - thyroid hormone.
Then I would contact Caroline Levin to let her know how darned unlucky I am to have TWO dogs with adrenal exhaustion, and that I'm re-starting treatment for a different dog! ;) I would ask again for her support and consultations.
Then, I would consult with Dr. Plechner to initiate DepoMedrol injections. He would suggest dosages based on my dog's blood test results and weight. I would ask again for his support and consultations.
I would not bother with sulfasalazine and oral Medrol to start. I would go straight to the injections. I know hormone injections are very controversial in the veterinary world, but I feel that this was the *single* action that resulted in the greatest, most rapid improvement in Reo. In hindsight, I think we could have helped her recover much quicker, if we didn't spend over a month trying a variety of things.
After the injection series is completed, I will begin oral Medrol dosing.
7) Initiate veterinary acupuncture. My experience with Reo showed that acupuncture truly helped to mitigate her symptoms and made her feel a lot better post-treatment. I believe this really helped! I would also ask the vet acupuncturist to provide me with two supplements: Standard Process Enteric Support (to help with the low immunoglobulins and gastrointestinal upset) and Standard Process Adrenal Support (to help support normal adrenal function).
8) Better take care of myself. I was a wreck early on! I would be better about taking the time to get massage and/or acupuncture for myself to help me reduce the stress I am feeling.
9) Take the dog for walks, even if they're short, and even if they're difficult. Take joy in every small bit of forward progress.
10) Monitor the dog's progress by repeating the CBC and EI-1 panel every 3 months for the first year. Be prepared to support my dog with an additional injection, or Medrol "pulsing" during the spring and fall should symptoms return, when natural adrenal activity is highest.
You will notice that I didn't get an ERG for my newly-diagnosed SARDS dog, which may seem strange to some. But for me, I don't need to have an ophthalmologist take $400 to tell me my dog is blind, has SARDS, and will never see again, thankyouverymuch. I'm glad we had an ERG for Reo, but if I was unlucky enough to have another SARDS dog with an EI-1 panel showing adrenal exhaustion/Plechner syndrome, I would not get an ERG for that dog. If you've been reading my blog, you may recall that my opinion is that SARDS is a symptom of adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome. So, I prefer to treat the underlying cause.
I truly hope I never have to deal with another dog with adrenal exhaustion/Plechner syndrome/SARDS. But if I am unlucky enough, or if one of my friends has this situation, at least I am better prepared as a dog owner, and know what I will do to advocate for the correct treatment.
Well, this would be my course of action if I started to notice one of my dogs displaying the early signs of adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome/SARDS (increased thirst, urination, hunger, panting/heat intolerance, inappropriate elimination, lethargy, depression, confusion, trouble seeing...). After my initial shock of "how the hell could this happen AGAIN?!", I would most certainly act quickly by doing the following:
Please remember - I am not a veterinarian, and I don't present this list to suggest a treatment for your dog! These are only my suggestions for action based on my experience with one dog - Reo. These suggestions may seem crazy and outlandish to some, but - this is my blog, afterall. ;) If I can give you and/or your vet food for thought, than that is good enough for me.
1) Switch up the diet (this is a moot point for us, since all the dogs are on high-quality, grain-free, low phytoestrogenic dehydrated raw food, with cooked protein and veggies on top). But, if my dog was eating commercial kibble that contained grain or a lot of phytoestrogenic ingredients, I would make the switch right away. Also switch to all natural, hormone/antibiotic-free, made in the USA - not China!, grain-free treats, as high-quality as possible.
2) Immediately get blood drawn for an EI-1 panel from NVDS, as well as a SuperChem CBC blood test at the vet.
3) Order the supplements that Caroline Levin suggests in her protocol - Cell Advance, Phosphatidyl Serine, Magnesium Taurate. Order Source Naturals Lutein supplement. Order the Nutrimin mineral supplement that Dr. Plechner suggests (all my dogs are already on this).
4) Start the dog on the supplements as soon as they are received, even if blood tests have not returned yet. Also begin feeding sardines packed in olive oil, a natural dietary source of adenosine. Reo gets 2 per day, so I would increase that based on my dog's weight.
5) Evaluate the results of the blood tests. If the SuperChem CBC shows elevated liver enzymes, I would start my dog on the Vetri-DMG liquid supplement.
6) If (and only if) the EI-1 panel shows the "classic" signs of adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome (high estrogen, high or low cortisol, low thyroid, low immunoglobulins), I would ask my vet to prescribe Soloxine/L-thyroxine - thyroid hormone.
Then I would contact Caroline Levin to let her know how darned unlucky I am to have TWO dogs with adrenal exhaustion, and that I'm re-starting treatment for a different dog! ;) I would ask again for her support and consultations.
Then, I would consult with Dr. Plechner to initiate DepoMedrol injections. He would suggest dosages based on my dog's blood test results and weight. I would ask again for his support and consultations.
I would not bother with sulfasalazine and oral Medrol to start. I would go straight to the injections. I know hormone injections are very controversial in the veterinary world, but I feel that this was the *single* action that resulted in the greatest, most rapid improvement in Reo. In hindsight, I think we could have helped her recover much quicker, if we didn't spend over a month trying a variety of things.
After the injection series is completed, I will begin oral Medrol dosing.
7) Initiate veterinary acupuncture. My experience with Reo showed that acupuncture truly helped to mitigate her symptoms and made her feel a lot better post-treatment. I believe this really helped! I would also ask the vet acupuncturist to provide me with two supplements: Standard Process Enteric Support (to help with the low immunoglobulins and gastrointestinal upset) and Standard Process Adrenal Support (to help support normal adrenal function).
8) Better take care of myself. I was a wreck early on! I would be better about taking the time to get massage and/or acupuncture for myself to help me reduce the stress I am feeling.
9) Take the dog for walks, even if they're short, and even if they're difficult. Take joy in every small bit of forward progress.
10) Monitor the dog's progress by repeating the CBC and EI-1 panel every 3 months for the first year. Be prepared to support my dog with an additional injection, or Medrol "pulsing" during the spring and fall should symptoms return, when natural adrenal activity is highest.
You will notice that I didn't get an ERG for my newly-diagnosed SARDS dog, which may seem strange to some. But for me, I don't need to have an ophthalmologist take $400 to tell me my dog is blind, has SARDS, and will never see again, thankyouverymuch. I'm glad we had an ERG for Reo, but if I was unlucky enough to have another SARDS dog with an EI-1 panel showing adrenal exhaustion/Plechner syndrome, I would not get an ERG for that dog. If you've been reading my blog, you may recall that my opinion is that SARDS is a symptom of adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome. So, I prefer to treat the underlying cause.
I truly hope I never have to deal with another dog with adrenal exhaustion/Plechner syndrome/SARDS. But if I am unlucky enough, or if one of my friends has this situation, at least I am better prepared as a dog owner, and know what I will do to advocate for the correct treatment.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Estrogen concerns
11/14/11 - I'm starting to worry about Reo's estrogen levels again. She has started displaying some exacerbated symptoms, and I'm not sure if it's due to the Medrol "pulsing" of last week, or if she's starting to be out of whack. She's been panting at night (usually a couple of times during the night), has had some increased thirst/urination and this morning Sean caught her getting into the cat food! So naughty.
To her credit, we just switched the cat's food - so maybe this is why it smelled extra-intriguing, so much so that she just had to try it for herself!
On the other hand, taken together, the PD/PU, panting, and possible PP make me wonder if she is having an estrogen spike, or if it is just her body adjusting to the extra cortisol. Since increased estrogen and increased cortisol can look the same, it is hard to tell without a blood test. :-/
To her credit, we just switched the cat's food - so maybe this is why it smelled extra-intriguing, so much so that she just had to try it for herself!
On the other hand, taken together, the PD/PU, panting, and possible PP make me wonder if she is having an estrogen spike, or if it is just her body adjusting to the extra cortisol. Since increased estrogen and increased cortisol can look the same, it is hard to tell without a blood test. :-/
Friday, November 11, 2011
Mom's home!
11/11/11 - I'm home from a tour of 10 states in 5 days. Exhausted, and thinking I won't schedule any trips like THAT again any time soon!
Reo did pretty well while I was gone. Sean reported increased thirst (PD) and urination (PU). It's clear that this happens when we pulse the Medrol. I think next time I'm away, we'll give her the added Medrol every third day instead of every other day to see how she does.
When I got home yesterday, she was really bloated and kind of gassy. Her belly was very turgid, and she seemed uncomfortable. Usually her stool is loose when she displays these symptoms, but her stool has been quite normal. So, I'm not sure what happened with that. She seems back to normal this morning, with a soft belly. Maybe she ate something outside that didn't agree with her!
Her vision seems to be pretty good at the moment, which makes me both happy and relieved. As much as I say that Reo's health is the #1 priority (and it is), I'm still very happy that she has had some vision return and stay!
It's chilly today, but should be warming up enough to put a fleece on the dogs and get them out for a walk. After taking literally 10 flights this week, I know I need a walk to loosen up!
Reo did pretty well while I was gone. Sean reported increased thirst (PD) and urination (PU). It's clear that this happens when we pulse the Medrol. I think next time I'm away, we'll give her the added Medrol every third day instead of every other day to see how she does.
When I got home yesterday, she was really bloated and kind of gassy. Her belly was very turgid, and she seemed uncomfortable. Usually her stool is loose when she displays these symptoms, but her stool has been quite normal. So, I'm not sure what happened with that. She seems back to normal this morning, with a soft belly. Maybe she ate something outside that didn't agree with her!
Her vision seems to be pretty good at the moment, which makes me both happy and relieved. As much as I say that Reo's health is the #1 priority (and it is), I'm still very happy that she has had some vision return and stay!
It's chilly today, but should be warming up enough to put a fleece on the dogs and get them out for a walk. After taking literally 10 flights this week, I know I need a walk to loosen up!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Pulsing Medrol
11/06/11 - Today I left for a week- trip for work. Based on Reo's slight regression the last time I was gone for a week, I consulted with Caroline Levin and decided to pulse Reo's daily Medrol dose. Every other day, she'll get 1.5 mg. It will be interesting to see if this preemptively helps stave off any stress/estrogen spike.
She has been really good and stable lately, so we will see how she does this week! We will only do this for the days that I'm gone, unless any symptoms give us an indication we should do it for longer.
I still think that my being gone for a week is more stressful on me than it is on Reo! ;)
She has been really good and stable lately, so we will see how she does this week! We will only do this for the days that I'm gone, unless any symptoms give us an indication we should do it for longer.
I still think that my being gone for a week is more stressful on me than it is on Reo! ;)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
A sweet story
11/02/11 - Today marks Reo's 38th week of treatment for SARDS. Time flies! She is doing quite well these days. I made a couple of changes to her diet yesterday. I stopped giving her the Vetri-DMG for now. I previously posted that I thought she didn't really need it, since her liver and immune system are in good shape. I do have some left, should she need to go on it again.
Yesterday evening, I mixed in some ZiwiPeak Venison food into her Addiction. Both Reo and Leigh LOVED it in their dinner and breakfast. Must be all that organ meat that's in there!! Mmmmmm....tasty! The texture of the food is a little weird - it's kind of like little pieces of beef jerky. It doesn't quite rehydrate like I would expect from The Honest Kitchen or Addiction, but the dogs seem to love it, nonetheless. I will have to be careful on weight gain, though, since it is very calorie dense (much more so than the other foods they've eaten).
Anyway, the post title suggested a sweet story, and I don't want to let you down, so please visit the link below for the story of two Great Danes, one of whom lost both of her eyes, and the other who acts as a "seeing eye dog" for her friend. Warms the heart! And, if you happen to be reading from the UK, both of these girls need a new home!
Click to read about Lily and Maddison
Yesterday evening, I mixed in some ZiwiPeak Venison food into her Addiction. Both Reo and Leigh LOVED it in their dinner and breakfast. Must be all that organ meat that's in there!! Mmmmmm....tasty! The texture of the food is a little weird - it's kind of like little pieces of beef jerky. It doesn't quite rehydrate like I would expect from The Honest Kitchen or Addiction, but the dogs seem to love it, nonetheless. I will have to be careful on weight gain, though, since it is very calorie dense (much more so than the other foods they've eaten).
Anyway, the post title suggested a sweet story, and I don't want to let you down, so please visit the link below for the story of two Great Danes, one of whom lost both of her eyes, and the other who acts as a "seeing eye dog" for her friend. Warms the heart! And, if you happen to be reading from the UK, both of these girls need a new home!
Click to read about Lily and Maddison
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Fighting the good fight
11/01/11 - I seriously cannot believe it is November!!
Below is a link to a useful blog post, co-written by Dr. Plechner and David Spangenburg (blog owner, and co-author of one of Dr. P's upcoming books). There are some anecdotes in there about veterinarians' resistance to low-dose cortisol replacement. It rings true if you've gone through what Reo and I have been through!
It's really interesting how medical doctors are more receptive to this type of therapy for humans than vets are for dogs! Not sure why that is, but I think wondrous things can happen to and for people if one can open one's mind and step outside one's comfort zone from time to time! :)
Check out this blog post:
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Howl-o-ween!
Happy Halloween!!
from Reo, the punk rocker!
ANARCHYYYYYY (or dog treats!!)
And, also, from Leigh the butterfly:
And Tula the Doberman:
"Yes, I am dressed as a squirrel...what of it??"
Hope you and your pups all have a very safe holiday!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Back and Forth...
10/28/11 - Happy Friday! I am looking forward to the weekend. Fall has definitely fallen, and there are a lot of leaves to be raked! I hope that it's sunny this weekend, so we can all be outside while we pick up nature's lovely, colorful mess.
Reo has been doing okay this week. Her vision is definitely variable, which frustrates me. Sometimes it's like she can't see anything at all, and other times, she seems to be at ~80% or so. It's strange to me how it can change in a matter of minutes - makes me wonder what the heck is going on in that retina! I usually know when she's not seeing because she will use her nose more to sniff around to help find her way. Her vision remains quite good outside or in bright lighting.
Mood-wise, she is fantastic. I know I've said this before, but she hasn't acted this spritely in a couple of years, so to see her so playful and happy is truly amazing. Sean always says that this is the most important part (and I do agree...I just want some of her vision to stay, too!). We most certainly have our dog back, in terms of her personality!
All of her "functions" have been normal, too, which is good. I have noticed the past two mornings, she's gotten up earlier than normal, and has panted a few times under the covers in bed. This usually makes me question her estrogen levels, as this was a primary symptom in January/February this year (she couldn't tolerate sleeping under the covers without panting, whereas pre-hormonal imbalance she'd just be a little briquet under the covers till morning). So, panting makes me think of the heat intolerance that comes with high estrogen levels. On the other hand, I'm a really hot sleeper - in the winter, I like the temperature to be around 58 in the house (for sleeping, not during the day!) and all warm and snuggly under the covers. So lately, I've been warm since the house is in the 60s, which is hopefully why Reo has been panting on occasion (which is ameliorated by my bringing her up on top of the covers).
Reo seems to tolerate the lutein supplement quite well. I haven't noticed any changes, either good or bad. I think I'll just keep her on the every other day dose for the time being. She has plenty of antioxidants from the Cell Advance - the lutein is just an added one to hopefully help protect those valuable retinal cells.
However, I decided to take her off the Vetri-DMG liquid in the next week or so, as Reo's last CBC revealed that her liver enzymes were in good shape (and as her hormone levels become more balanced, this will make her liver happier as well). The Vetri-DMG also stimulates the immune system, and I don't want *too* many immune system stimulants going on. I'd like to cut down supplements where I can, as I don't want her to be a science experiment forever! Dr. Lanz uses the Vetri-DMG for liver and immune support, but Reo is doing well in both of those areas at the moment, so it's safe to stop.
Reo has been doing okay this week. Her vision is definitely variable, which frustrates me. Sometimes it's like she can't see anything at all, and other times, she seems to be at ~80% or so. It's strange to me how it can change in a matter of minutes - makes me wonder what the heck is going on in that retina! I usually know when she's not seeing because she will use her nose more to sniff around to help find her way. Her vision remains quite good outside or in bright lighting.
Mood-wise, she is fantastic. I know I've said this before, but she hasn't acted this spritely in a couple of years, so to see her so playful and happy is truly amazing. Sean always says that this is the most important part (and I do agree...I just want some of her vision to stay, too!). We most certainly have our dog back, in terms of her personality!
All of her "functions" have been normal, too, which is good. I have noticed the past two mornings, she's gotten up earlier than normal, and has panted a few times under the covers in bed. This usually makes me question her estrogen levels, as this was a primary symptom in January/February this year (she couldn't tolerate sleeping under the covers without panting, whereas pre-hormonal imbalance she'd just be a little briquet under the covers till morning). So, panting makes me think of the heat intolerance that comes with high estrogen levels. On the other hand, I'm a really hot sleeper - in the winter, I like the temperature to be around 58 in the house (for sleeping, not during the day!) and all warm and snuggly under the covers. So lately, I've been warm since the house is in the 60s, which is hopefully why Reo has been panting on occasion (which is ameliorated by my bringing her up on top of the covers).
Reo seems to tolerate the lutein supplement quite well. I haven't noticed any changes, either good or bad. I think I'll just keep her on the every other day dose for the time being. She has plenty of antioxidants from the Cell Advance - the lutein is just an added one to hopefully help protect those valuable retinal cells.
However, I decided to take her off the Vetri-DMG liquid in the next week or so, as Reo's last CBC revealed that her liver enzymes were in good shape (and as her hormone levels become more balanced, this will make her liver happier as well). The Vetri-DMG also stimulates the immune system, and I don't want *too* many immune system stimulants going on. I'd like to cut down supplements where I can, as I don't want her to be a science experiment forever! Dr. Lanz uses the Vetri-DMG for liver and immune support, but Reo is doing well in both of those areas at the moment, so it's safe to stop.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tricks or treats? TREATS!
10/24/11 - We had a nice fall weekend! Friday night I took Reo and Leigh for a nice long walk (while Sean took Tula to the dog park). It was sunny, and neither too cold nor too hot for walking - the best!
Earlier in the week, I cooked a rabbit for all the dogs. This was a special treat that I used as a meal topper. All three of our dogs have a penchant for chasing rabbits, so I was sure they'd enjoy the meat! That they did, for sure. They all tolerated it very well, too - no loose stools.
Saturday was a house project kind of a day, and Reo was very involved in the supervision of all tasks. I had to go to the store to pick up a few things, and on a whim got some doggie costumes for Halloween. I haven't taken any pictures yet, but I will post them up on this blog for all to enjoy!
Sunday, Reo's stomach aliens came back, so she refused breakfast. As usual, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the aliens. I had to force down her morning hormone meds, and around noon or so, she started feeling better. She got a small meal in the early afternoon, and ate all of her dinner!
I noticed that the skin on Reo's stomach (mostly on her sides toward her back legs) is really dark. I know that darkened skin is a symptom of increased estrogen levels, which isn't great news. On the other hand, a lot of her chest hair is growing back. Hopefully the two symptoms counteract each other, and her estrogen levels are okay. Planning to get another EI-1 panel in December...
I cooked up some organic chicken thighs for the dogs' meal topper this week. As a bonus, Sean and I had a whole chicken for dinner, so the dogs got the gizzards from that chicken in with their thigh meat! Tasty for them. I've also scaled back the food amounts on all the dogs. With the cooler temperatures, it means less walking, which means ounces gained for both dogs and humans!
Earlier in the week, I cooked a rabbit for all the dogs. This was a special treat that I used as a meal topper. All three of our dogs have a penchant for chasing rabbits, so I was sure they'd enjoy the meat! That they did, for sure. They all tolerated it very well, too - no loose stools.
Saturday was a house project kind of a day, and Reo was very involved in the supervision of all tasks. I had to go to the store to pick up a few things, and on a whim got some doggie costumes for Halloween. I haven't taken any pictures yet, but I will post them up on this blog for all to enjoy!
Sunday, Reo's stomach aliens came back, so she refused breakfast. As usual, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the aliens. I had to force down her morning hormone meds, and around noon or so, she started feeling better. She got a small meal in the early afternoon, and ate all of her dinner!
I noticed that the skin on Reo's stomach (mostly on her sides toward her back legs) is really dark. I know that darkened skin is a symptom of increased estrogen levels, which isn't great news. On the other hand, a lot of her chest hair is growing back. Hopefully the two symptoms counteract each other, and her estrogen levels are okay. Planning to get another EI-1 panel in December...
I cooked up some organic chicken thighs for the dogs' meal topper this week. As a bonus, Sean and I had a whole chicken for dinner, so the dogs got the gizzards from that chicken in with their thigh meat! Tasty for them. I've also scaled back the food amounts on all the dogs. With the cooler temperatures, it means less walking, which means ounces gained for both dogs and humans!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Autumn sassy time
10/19/11 - Yesterday, I got home from work and promptly took all the dogs out for a walk. It was a little chilly, a little breezy, and the squirrels were busy hiding acorns for winter! There is a big acorn tree two houses down from us, and the cars parked underneath are constantly bombarded by falling acorns - it's amazing the cars aren't dented!
Anyway, all the dogs were feeling so spirited, it made me laugh just to watch them. I grew up with horses, and fall was always the most fun time to ride because the horses were so spirited and sassy - just full of themselves! This is how our dogs were acting yesterday. Reo was in her full-on "stalker" run. She has a special way of trotting along when she's "hunting" for squirrels. She gets lower to the ground and takes longer strides (as opposed to her normal min pin hackney). It made for a fun, brisk walk.
This morning it was the coldest it's been so far since the summer, with a little rain to boot, so none of the dogs was interested in being outside for a second longer than needed! They did their morning business and then ran back, shivering! Reo, being Reo, was feeling sassy and so promptly attacked two of her toys after coming inside while she waited (not-so-patiently!) for breakfast.
Fall is in the air!
Anyway, all the dogs were feeling so spirited, it made me laugh just to watch them. I grew up with horses, and fall was always the most fun time to ride because the horses were so spirited and sassy - just full of themselves! This is how our dogs were acting yesterday. Reo was in her full-on "stalker" run. She has a special way of trotting along when she's "hunting" for squirrels. She gets lower to the ground and takes longer strides (as opposed to her normal min pin hackney). It made for a fun, brisk walk.
This morning it was the coldest it's been so far since the summer, with a little rain to boot, so none of the dogs was interested in being outside for a second longer than needed! They did their morning business and then ran back, shivering! Reo, being Reo, was feeling sassy and so promptly attacked two of her toys after coming inside while she waited (not-so-patiently!) for breakfast.
Fall is in the air!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Lutein and why I'm using it
10/17/11 - Today, I received the Source Naturals Lutein supplement in the mail (thanks Amazon.com!). I opened it up, and saw small, pretty purpley colored capsules. I opened up a capsule and tasted the supplement, and was delighted that it was not bitter in the least - it has a slightly sweet flavor. This means that it will be palatable to Reo (who is on the edge already with the bitter-tasting Cell Advance and Phosphatidyl Serine in her meals).
It appears that lutein is well-tolerated by dogs, but for now my plan is to start out with the supplement every other day to see how she tolerates it. In this paper: Dietary lutein stimulates immune response in the canine, 25-lb beagles were given daily amounts of lutein in either 5, 10, or 20 mg dosages. The paper didn't cite any adverse effects, and it appears that it took about 2 weeks for the beagles' serum lutein levels to increase. I'll see how Reo does on the 6 mg dosage every other day for a couple of weeks, and then potentially increase to daily.
Why the heck am I giving Reo another supplement, you ask? (It's okay if you asked that...Sean asked too!) I decided to supplement the lutein based on these two studies (as well as the regularly available information that lutein is good for eyes in general, people too!):
It appears that lutein is well-tolerated by dogs, but for now my plan is to start out with the supplement every other day to see how she tolerates it. In this paper: Dietary lutein stimulates immune response in the canine, 25-lb beagles were given daily amounts of lutein in either 5, 10, or 20 mg dosages. The paper didn't cite any adverse effects, and it appears that it took about 2 weeks for the beagles' serum lutein levels to increase. I'll see how Reo does on the 6 mg dosage every other day for a couple of weeks, and then potentially increase to daily.
Why the heck am I giving Reo another supplement, you ask? (It's okay if you asked that...Sean asked too!) I decided to supplement the lutein based on these two studies (as well as the regularly available information that lutein is good for eyes in general, people too!):
If you've read Caroline Levin's position on SARDS, you might remember that she states that vision loss occurs due to mitochondrial damage in the retinal cells due to the uptake of calcium (which happens as a result of increased estrogen levels).
It appears that the energy-dependent uptake of
calcium ions by the mitochondria is inhibited by lutein, which also helps to
efflux (pump out) calcium ions from mitochondria, as this paper states. So you might think that if there is enough lutein present in the eye, it would help prevent the uptake of calcium if estrogen levels are high.
As well, this paper asserts that lutein and its isomer zeaxanthan help to prevent the apoptosis (killing of cells) of photoreceptor cells in the retina, through their antioxidant properties.
You can read more about lutein on Wikipedia. There are also rich dietary sources of lutein, if you are cooking for your dog! Cooked kale and cooked spinach are both naturally very high in lutein, so these would be good choices to put in your dog's veggie mix!
You can read more about lutein on Wikipedia. There are also rich dietary sources of lutein, if you are cooking for your dog! Cooked kale and cooked spinach are both naturally very high in lutein, so these would be good choices to put in your dog's veggie mix!
Reo ate up her dinner lickety-split, so we are underway!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Eye supplement comparison chart
10/16/11 - Many people out there give their SARDS dog some sort of supplement to help protect the dog's retinal cells from further damage. I was trying to figure out what would be the best to give Reo, so I made a simple table to compare some of the more common supplements. The cost basis and dosages were based on the "small
dog" side of things, so ingredient analysis and cost will be different for larger
dogs.
Please note the abbreviations mg (milligrams), mcg
(micrograms), and IU (international units). NA means not available/not listed as
an ingredient.
Apologies for the rendering in this blog - I couldn't quite get the whole table to fit, and didn't want the text to be too small! I do have this in an Excel spreadsheet. If anyone would like a copy, just post a comment with your email, and I will send it on over!
|
|
Cell Advance 440
|
Ocu-Glo RX (small dog)
|
Nutri-Vet Healthy Vision
Chewables
|
Source Naturals Lutein 6
mg capsules
|
Ocuvite Lutein Eye
|
Ocuvite Eye
|
Icaps Lutein and Omega3
|
|
Vitamin C
|
250 mg
|
50 mg
|
75 mg
|
NA
|
60 mg
|
200 mg
|
45 mg
|
|
Vitamin E
|
37.5 IU
|
25 IU
|
20 IU
|
NA
|
30 IU
|
60 IU
|
10 IU
|
|
Vitamin B6
|
6.25 mg
|
0.1 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
1.3 mg
|
|
Zinc
|
3.75 mg
|
3 mg
|
5 mg
|
NA
|
15 mg
|
40 mg
|
7 mg
|
|
Coenzyme Q10
|
1.25 mg
|
13 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Biotin
|
NA
|
10 mcg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Panthothenic Acid
|
NA
|
1 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Vitamin B1
|
NA
|
0.1 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
1.2 mg
|
|
Vitamin B3
|
NA
|
1.2 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
16 mg
|
|
Alpha Lipoic Acid
|
NA
|
35 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Lycopene
|
NA
|
1 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Green Tea Extract
|
NA
|
20 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Folate/Folic Acid
|
NA
|
20 mcg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
240 mcg
|
|
Vitamin B12
|
NA
|
2.5 mcg
|
3 mcg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
2.4 mcg
|
|
Beta carotene
|
1,875 IU
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Vitamin A
|
1,250 IU
|
NA
|
1,000 IU
|
NA
|
NA
|
1,000 IU
|
600 mcg
|
|
Methionine
|
12.5 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
L-cysteine
|
12.5 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
L-glutathione
|
12.5 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Magnesium
|
9.8 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
L-lysine
|
6.25 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Hesperidin
|
5 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Rutin
|
5 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Catalase
|
10 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Super Oxide Dismutase
|
2.75 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Quercetin
|
2.5 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Manganese
|
0.25 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
2.3 mg
|
|
Copper
|
62.5 mcg
|
NA
|
4 mcg
|
NA
|
2 mg
|
2 mg
|
0.9 mcg
|
|
Selenium
|
125 mcg
|
NA
|
3 mcg
|
NA
|
NA
|
55 mcg
|
34 mcg
|
|
Molybdenum
|
6.3 mcg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Vitamin B2
|
NA
|
NA
|
4 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
1.3 mg
|
|
Grapeseed Extract
|
NA
|
yes
|
5 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Lutein
|
NA
|
yes
|
5 mg
|
6 mg
|
6 mg
|
2 mg
|
10 mg
|
|
Bilberry Extract
|
NA
|
NA
|
4 mg
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
Zeaxanthan
|
NA
|
NA
|
80 mcg
|
300 mcg
|
NA
|
NA
|
2 mg
|
|
Other Ingredients
|
Gelatin exterior capsule
|
Gelatin, Glycerin,
Beeswax, Lecithin, Soybean Oil and Liver Extract
|
Beef Liver, Magnesium
Silicate, Magnesium Stearate, Natural Pork Flavor, Plant Cellulose, Pork
Liver, Silicon Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Sucralose
|
FloraGLO Marigold flower extract, red beet root, gelatin
(capsule), maltodextrin, magnesium sterate, and silica
|
Lactose monohydrate,
Crospovidone, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon dioxide
|
|
Calcium, Omega-3 fatty
acids, others not listed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approx. cost/day
|
$0.24
|
$0.78
|
$0.21
|
$0.12
|
$0.31
|
$0.12
|
$0.29
|
Based on my research, for Reo, I am going to keep her on the
Cell Advance 440, but also supplement the Source Naturals 6 mg Lutein and
zeaxanthan. I like all of the powerful antioxidants that are in the Cell Advance,
as it will not only help protect Reo's retinal cells, but also with her immune
system support. On
the other hand, I think it's valuable to have some lutein
and zeaxanthan in the mix, too, because there is quite a bit of published research
on the positive effect of both compounds in the eye. Since this is lacking in Cell Advance, I'm going to try supplementing the Source Naturals Lutein and see if I notice any changes.
The Ocu-GLO looks good, but it seems fairly expensive
relative to the other supplements/ingredients, which is why I decided to mix and
match.
So, at the very least, it was a useful exercise for me! :) Hopefully someone else will find it useful as well!
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