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not regularly update this blog any longer, much of the information is still relevant (though some of the links may be out of date).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, July 25, 2012

SoCal Vacation

07/25/12 - Earlier this month, we took a trip to Southern California, where Sean is from, for a vacation with his family and some of our friends.

We brought Leigh and Reo along on the trip, not only because we love them and love traveling with them, but because it's way less expense and stress on the dogs.  Even though it costs $500 round trip for  both of the dogs to fly with us on United (OMG!), we wouldn't have it any other way.

I pulsed Reo's Medrol every other day while we were gone, to help mitigate her stress.  With the exception of all the noise/bustle in the airport, and not wanting to be in her carrier while in the airport (on the plane she is fine, but not in the airport - weird - so I solved the problem by carrying her until we were ready to get on the plane), Reo is an incredible traveler.

We do a lot to try and keep their routine while on the road (this means getting up extra early with the time change in order to potty/feed them breakfast!), including bringing their favorite bed for riding in the car.  We drove about 900 miles in 10 days, so their comfort was important!

Here are a few pictures of Leigh and Reo in the car, in their bed, with their car harnesses on.  :)




For part of the trip, we had a beach house with Sean's family, and it included two smaller children.  Leigh and Reo aren't used to children noise, so it was a bit stressful for them, but overall they did really well.  I brought some of their favorite toys, and Reo "killed" them every day - so cute.

Sean and I took a couple of days to explore some new wine country for us.  We went to Ojai and also Santa Rita Hills/Santa Barbara County.  It was a really nice road trip, though it was very hot inland (I made the mistake of wearing jeans one day, as it was barely 70 on the coast...but was punished in Ojai when it was about 93!!).

Here are a couple of photos of the dogs "wine tasting".




Okay, so they were flopped out at our feet while WE tasted wine.  :)

They're such great travelers, and I was so proud of Reo for hanging in there!  That being said, both dogs and humans were so happy to be home, to our quiet household, familiar surroundings, and daily routine.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Sixth EI-1 Panel

07/17/12 - Annnnd we're back!  I'll write a subsequent post about our two-week trip to California after this, but first I wanted to post Reo's most recent blood panels.



Reference Range
16-Mar-11
30-Apr-11
15-Jun-11
4-Aug-11
4-Jan-12
25-Jun-12
Total Estrogen
30 - 35
35.19
35.15
35.11
35.06
35.04
35.05
Cortisol
1.0 - 2.5
8.43
7.03
0.97
0.82
0.68
1.4
T3
100 - 200
62.7
72.12
87.92
156.94
135.29
169.94
T4
2.0 - 4.5
0.87
1.15
1.6
3.99
3.21
7.17**
IgA
70 - 170
50
53
57
65
67
66
IgG
1,000 - 2,000
722
754
883
946
973
970
IgM
100 - 200
74
76
87
97
97
97



Estrogen is about the same as her last panel in January.  It is possible that this number is Reo's "normal" now, being an older dog.

Cortisol is now within normal limits (I was a little surprised at this!).

T3 is normal, but T4 is quite elevated.  I put two asterisks next to this number, as Reo was on a course of Clavamox (antibiotic) for her uveitis.  Dr. V feels that the T4 is elevated due to this, and so is not concerned, especially as T3 is normal (T3 is the more "active" molecule in the body).  We will retest her thyroid in another 6 months, so we will keep an eye.

Immunoglobulins are more or less where they have been for the past year, just slightly low.  It's possible that these numbers are also Reo's "normal", as she is an older dog.  I likely won't have these tested again, as she seems to be pretty consistent now, and can probably save a little money by only testing estrogen/cortisol/thyroid.

Overall, I feel just fine about Reo's results.  As she is not symptomatic right now, I am satisfied that she feels good, has normal liver/kidney function, and reasonable hormone levels.  :)