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not regularly update this blog any longer, much of the information is still relevant (though some of the links may be out of date).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, 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.


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!

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

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.

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.  :-/

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!

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!  ;)

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

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: