Luvbirds59

Good luck at the vet, I hope you find out what is going on and can get him treatment that works. If this vet can't figure it out....a second opinion might be in order.

Carol
ox

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WorkingInSTL

I know that lupus is supposed to be incredibly difficult to diagnose difinitively (I just learned that today). I don't care if it's wholistic, half-istic, or artistic treatments, as long as they get this poor guy to feeling better.

Thanks for the input. Now I have a few things to bounce off of the doc at least. And, thank you all for the kind sentiments. We are off to see the doc. I'll update you all tomorrow.

2gooddobes

I would definitely research and ask the vet about herbs and vitamins to boost his immune system. I'm wondering if it is a viscious cycle, the antibiotics are killing the infection but also taxing his immune sytem causing it to happen all over again. Any how wishing you and your guy the best.

reddobes

Things to consider:
**a biopsy of the tissue prior to antiobiotic/steroid therapy - there are several immune mediated skin conditions that affect dogs - Pemphigus, Lupus (SLE/DLE), allergies, etc. It is important to send it to a dermatopathologist (specialize in skin biopsies - some skin biopsies require special handling/media for transport).
**Duralactin - an supplement that is an anti-inflammatory
**Interferon - given orally (esp. to cats w/ feline leukemia)
**consult w/ a veterinary dermatologist - or even if your vet just discusses the case w/ one - they may have some other suggestions.
** other endocrine diseases can affect the skin/immune system (Cushings, Diabetes Mellitus, etc)

The patient I have w/ really bad pododermatitis has allergies and we have helped him w/ first getting the infection under control w/ weeks of antibiotics and then managed it w/ medicated soaks/bathing at first sign of lesions, also antihistamines have helped a lot to prevent flareups.
It's always hard w/o seeing the patient or knowing exactly what tests were done

ellenm

This sounds simplistic, but in addition to these real serious medical conditions....have you noticed paw outbreaks after walking/working the dog in a certain environment? Certain fields, a pond, woods, etc that would be a contact irritant to start the paw cycle? If it is just your backyard that the dog is mainly exposed to, then that is going to be real tough to avoid in the future. If the tests show a definite autoimmune problem, then lack of exposure to whatever starts a flare up would be helpful.

I'd keep a notebook and chart where you go, what you fed, etc to have on record the ups and downs of this condition.


My boy has environmental allergies and had borderline low thyroid, but exhibited classic low thyroid coat conditions....the thyroid supplementation helped a ton but the real results of it weren't evident for about 90 days. Thank the Lord he only gets itchy from late May- Sept and we seem to have found the right combo to keep him comfortable this year.

I'm sorry you are having to go through this, as it must be very frustrating. Keep us posted.

dobebug

Dogs definitely can have lupus--it comes in a couple of different varieties and symptoms can be all over the board.

I'd be inclined to get your dog to a specialist--I might start with a dermatologist even though I'm inclined to agree that it really sounds immune mediated. The dermatologist/allergists see a lot of immune mediated problems because in so many of them skin problems are some of the first symptoms.

The lupus dog I know the most about had stuff going on with his nose and ears--the inside of his ears would get bright red and blister and peel--his nose would get dry, blister and peel. That was in the very beginning--more stuff went on with him as time went on.

Good luck.

shadeslane

I'd take him to U of MO School of Veterinary Medicine. If you're still in St. Louis, you're not too far away and they're great - both with the dogs brought in AND with the people who bring them.

robinb

I really agree with bug about getting the dog to a specialist. The dog I had in the 80's with suspected Lupas, had a series of unexplained infections in his ears, then suddenly crashed and he crashed hard and fast with a life-threatening fever.

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WorkingInSTL

I am VERY familiar with Mizzou and the veterinary college. Apparently squeezing the abscess made a huge difference. He was able to walk on it fine after doing that. The doc. said it is definitely bacterial (ran a slide under the microscope. The plan right now is to wait until the antibiotics have run their course, then retest the thyroid (which needs to be done anyways).

Thanks to everyone who participated thusfar. I have some things to bounce off of the doc the next time I talk to him.

bubsy

Can they do a culture and sensitivity to make sure they get the right antibiotics for the particular strain of bacteria?
Murphy's orthovet thinks he may have some low grade autoimmune thing going on...we've done all sorts of test, joint taps, full tick panel, autoimmune panel...everything looks normal. He has joint issues and digital hyperkeratosis. Have you noticed if his pads develop cracks and fissures?

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