BLOG DISCLAIMER

**DISCLAIMER** Please note: I am not a veterinarian, and the purpose of this blog is solely to educate, provide resources, and share Reo's story. In this blog, I will present research and information on the theories of SARDS to which I subscribe, along with my own narrative. If you think your dog may have SARDS, or adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome, please seek veterinary care right away!

If you are just beginning your SARDS education, I suggest you start with the blog post from August 22, 2011 entitled "SARDS Resources". If you'd like to know our trials, tribulations, and joys from the beginning, start with "But first...Reo!" and click chronologically on from there.

If you would like to read my suggestions as to how I would approach treatment for a newly-diagnosed dog, check the November 16, 2011 post "If I had another SARDS dog" (and then read my blog more fully for appropriate context).

Though we have decided to suspend Reo's retinal protection supplements in September 2012 (see September 16, 2012 post "Decision for Reo") due to the fact that she had very little remaining vision, I am still strongly supportive of our treatment approach, and know that it changed Reo's health and longevity in a positive way. Feel free to comment and ask me any questions - I am happy to help if I can!

Update: Reo became an angel on October 21, 2014. She had a profound kidney infection, causing acute kidney failure, and she was unable to recover. The contributing factors to her decline are covered in my February 16, 2015 blog post "Farewell to Reo".

Though I do not regularly update this blog any longer, much of the information is still relevant (though some of the links may be out of date). Feel free to join the conversation at "SARDS Dogs United" on Facebook.




Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Fourth EI-1 panel

08/09/11 - We got Reo's fourth NVDS panel back today!
Reference Range
16-Mar-11
30-Apr-11
15-Jun-11
4-Aug-11
Total Estrogen
30 - 35
35.19
35.15
35.11
35.06
Cortisol
1.0 - 2.5
8.43
7.03
0.97
0.82
T3
100 - 200
62.7
72.12
87.92
156.94
T4
2.0 - 4.5
0.87
1.15
1.6
3.99
IgA
70 - 170
50
53
57
65
IgG
1,000 - 2,000
722
754
883
946
IgM
100 - 200
74
76
87
97



Thyroids are in the normal range, immunoglobulins are very close to normal, and estrogen continues to come down - great news all around!  She has made some amazing progress in 5 months!  The only thing that concerns me is that her cortisol number actually went DOWN from her last test in June.  

I've asked Dr. P how we should address this - probably bump up the Medrol a bit?  I'm a little worried that her adrenals are permanently damaged and won't recover on their own, so of course Medrol will be critical for her.  Dr. P said that we should just keep Reo at 1.0 mg Medrol and not increase her dosage.


Caroline and I emailed, and she mentioned that some dogs are never totally normal when it comes to the bloodwork, and sometimes, even with medication, dogs can only get close to the normal range.  This makes me feel a little better, and maybe a little less pressure.


I discussed Reo's results with Dr. Lanz, and we agreed to start Reo on the Standard Process Adrenal Support.  


It's worthy of note that Dr. P, Caroline, Dr. Lanz, and Dr. O have all commented on how great Reo is doing, not even taking her returning vision into account!  Reo's bloodwork is making great improvement, and she looks and feels great these days.  So encouraging!!  I feel like we've turned the corner...
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