02/06/12 - Lately, I've been thinking about all of the supplements that Reo gets in her meals, and have been wondering whether I can reduce dosages and/or remove some. It's not so much the cost or the inconvenience of giving her so many things (though it definitely is an inconvenience when we travel together and have to bring the supplement arsenal!), just that Reo seems to be quite stable lately with her vision and disposition, as she comes up on nearly her 1-year anniversary of SARDS diagnosis (it's been 11 months).
I have no plans to discontinue the Cell Advance and Lutein - these antioxidant supplements can only help an ageing dog (and I have Leigh on Cell Advance, too!). I also see the value in continuing to give Magnesium Taurate while Reo's estrogen levels are still slightly high (remember, the thought is that high estrogen leads to increased uptake of calcium in cells, which leads to a "retinal seizure". Magnesium helps to counter act the calcium).
I contacted Caroline Levin for some advice, but she doesn't really have any data to suggest when to stop supplements, which ones, or by how much. So, we're sort of in unchartered territory! The first supplement I thought might be good to reduce/remove is Phosphatidyl Serine. This supplement seems to be "optional" in Levin's protocol - recommended but not required. It is thought to help keep fluidity in cell membranes, and also to help mitigate signs of confusion.
Caroline was clear to communicate that tapering off or discontinuing any supplements was at my own risk, as she doesn't have any suggestions for me, or information to share to help me. She also mentioned that because Reo's estrogen levels have not yet stabilized (though of course they have continued to decline with treatment), that this could also be a risk.
Reo currently gets 100 mg/day of PS. I have decided to begin tapering this off beginning today with giving her 50 mg/day and see if I notice any changes. So we have the makings of our own scientific experiment on our hands! We will see what happens, and if there are any noticeable effects in Reo - either positive or negative!
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.
Monday, February 6, 2012
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Hi,
ReplyDeleteMy dog Kallie is a 13 year old black lab mix. She was a "freeway" dog, I found her on a freeway when she was a puppy so I don't have any history on her. She was diagnosed with SARDS about nine months ago by an opthamologist who really doesn't know much about the disease and it was only after my second visit to the neurologist in the same office, that the eye doctor looked at her again and with some testing made the diagnosis. I have been trying to find current research/information on the disease. I was not aware of the Yahoo blog. I hold no prejudice where I get information whether from this blog or Yahoo's blog. My regular vet knows nothing about the disease and I have been educating him. We are working together to try to figure out how to treat her based on the early research.
It is reported that SARDS is a fairly rare disease whereas I think it is just improperly diagnosed as it appears almost all vets know nothing about the disease. Had it not been for me pushing the specialists based on my research of Kallie's symptoms and diseases was I able to get her properly diagnosed.
There are so many questions that I don't know where to begin. Kallie first lost her hearing a year ago and my vet said it was due to old age. Then in June she went blind overnight(literally)in one eye and several weeks later the same thing happened with the other eye. After reviewing the research on SARDS and how it effects so many other parts of the body, I believe the blindness was the start of or part of the disease as it happened literally overnight as well.
Right now Kallie is fighting a very bad infection and we have her on prednisone to try to knock it as well as help her weakened back legs. I have tried putting her on hypoallergenic dog food - primarily prescription but she doesn't like it for very long so I am now using canned food and she seems to like that better. She isn't eating well right now because her nose is plugged up from the infection and she can't eat and breathe at the same time.
Kallie gets around the house okay and can hear a bit such as clapping or if she hears the dog treat bags opening (hmmmm) but she is slow now because of her back legs and I have to help her get up.
The recent blood tests showed that the infection is bad and her liver levels, especially, did not look good. We will have her blood tested in a week to see if things improve.
So, my immediate questions that I am hoping to get some help on:
1. Is there current (meaning 2011-2012)research on the disease? If so, can you direct me to the sources?
2. Any specific dog foods to recommend that she should be on?
3. Is Carol Levin (Levine?) available to contact? I thought she was from Oregon and if she is still practicing I would like to contact her as I am on the west coast.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Hi, and I'm sorry to hear about Kallie! Good for you for being a great, proactive dog owner. Indeed, many vets and ophthalmologists don't know much about SARDS, which makes things so difficult for owners like us. I have learned more in the last year than I ever thought I would need to.
DeleteIf you've read my blog, you know Reo had very bad liver values early on after her SARDS diagnosis. Since we've been treating her with hormone replacement for about a year, she is completely normal. :) Reo also had some muscle weakness, like you are experiencing with Kallie.
In answer to your questions, I haven't found very much recent research, sadly!! If you find something, please also let me know, as I am interested to read it.
Regarding dog food, my opinion is that nearly all prescription diets are really awful for dogs - very little pure, usable protein. One of the best choices is to feed a home-cooked diet, which can be hypoallergenic for Kallie, but if that isn't possible, you could try a dehydrated raw diet like the one that I feed Reo. All of my dogs eat dehydrated raw, and we all love it!
Caroline Levin is available for consults - though she is not a veterinarian, she is one of the most experienced authorities on SARDS, and is a tremendous resource! You can reach her at: consult (at) petcarebooks (dot) com
Finally, if I can do anything else to help answer your questions, please let me know!
Wishing you and Kallie the best!