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.
In March 2011, our Miniature Pinscher, Reo, suddenly went blind and was diagnosed with SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome). We were given no hope for vision recovery, but through research, perseverance, love, tears, and a lot of luck, we brought our dog back from a serious illness, and restored some functional vision in about 5 months! This is our story, our journey...and we hope that by sharing our story, we can help other dogs diagnosed with SARDS!
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.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
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