2nd Set of Lab Results

9/17/13 - Shasta's labs came back and her IgA is up to 60 so the meds are working and she doesn't need another injection. Dr. P. said to just increase her dose of Medrol. Her estrogen has decreased, but Dr. P. feels there is something she is eating that is not agreeing with her and preventing her from fully absorbing her meds and nutrients so the increased dose isn't going to hurt her it will only help her. This will also help to increase her T3 and T4 (thyroid levels). I'm keeping her on the beef and white rice this week to see how she does. She had a good weekend visiting with her gramma and grampa...she went to their house for the first time since losing her vision and she could tell when we got near their neighborhood and darted out of the car and up to their front door without any trouble. When we walked inside she smelled around and found her way to the water bowl and then of course her auntie Bridgette's toy box (Bridge is my parents' chihuahua). She went through the toys like she always does, found the ones that make noise, strewn them all over the house and sat and squeaked them loudly while grampa tried to watch the football game. : ) She came shopping with us during the day and then she had a walk at night. She did really well all weekend. No signs of improved vision yet, just better navigational skills. She will still bump into things up close especially in less familiar areas and in transition lighting. I decided to get her some Doggles to help protect her eyes. To clarify my findings with Shasta's overall improvement: Shasta's vision comes and goes and is often visible to me when it is worse when her eyes get a little more glowy or foggy looking. She is happier when she seems to have a little bit of vision, but she seems to be able to see things in the distance and not so much up close. She also seems to do better in bright lighting or sunlight and does worse in transitional lighting where there are a lot of shadows.