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
Monday, November 21, 2011
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.
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. :-/
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!
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! ;)
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
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:
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