October 26, 2004

• About five weeks ago, Remus lost a toenail and I quickly took him to the vet and he was placed on antibiotics. Within a few days he had lost three more and others were obviously going the same way. Another vet then placed him on the NSAID, mobicam for the pain while this went on. Last week, after another nail was obviously infected while dangling, I took him again and saw another vet. He says this is an auto-immune problem that allows infections and that Remus will be on meds for life. Those being steroids and tetracyclin - if we can get him past his current discomfort and off the mobicam. He can't take steroids as well as that. Hence the current use of Immuran. I'm told it is incurable and is a rarely recognised syndrome that shows up occasionally in dogs. This is a five year old boy, in perfect heath prior and otherwise. He's well exercised, never been overweight and has always been fed exceptionally healthy combos of prefab kibble and my broths and such to augment his diet. I am blown away by this. Just last spring I had to have my other old sheperd put down, after paying $100 per month for the last four years to keep her going. I would really like to understand this a bit better. I know there are all types of scientific types here so I was hoping for some input or direction that would both help me understand better what is happening and what I can do myself. We love our boy dearly as we are a middle-aged couple who dote on our darlin'. Anything?
• That's sad, dxlifer. It sounds a little like a canine version of AIDS. If his immune system is low-functioning, you'll probably want to turn him into an indoor doggy to prevent him picking up bugs and infections from other dogs, people, the grass, etc. (Not an expert or anything, just sympathising and speculating. My parents' labrador has chronic ear infections and can't go in water, which sucks since he's a huntin' fishin' kind of dog.)
• dxlifer - has the vet talked to you about the long term use of steroids? I have a cat with very bad asthma, who gets very little time off steroids since they're what keep him breathing. They vet has told me as gently as he can that we're going for quality of life and have to sacrifice longevity. That's in spite of the fact that cats do better on steroids than humans (not sure about dogs.) I'm glad he told me, because I can pay more attention to the time the cat, whom I love like a child, has left. If you'd rather not get that kind of news, I can understand.
• dxlifer, I can't offer you any medical advice, but I do have a question: is your pup in pain as a result of the nail loss, or because it's affected his ability to walk? If it's temporary, might he eventually get used to it? Declawed cats (I consider declawing to be barbaric) get on with life relatively quickly, after all. Ask your vet if his pain stems from the nail loss, if it's temporary, if the pad of his foot is more tender than it should be, and whether he expects the pad tenderness to continue. Best wishes to you and yours.
• Hi DX, So sorry to hear about your buddy. It's just the pits that this type of thing has to happen to a perfectly nice dog. I have a friend whose dog developed this, and it wasn't good. Trac has good advice on keeping him indoors. The friend's pup suscumbed to a massive spreading infection from a very minor cut on the nose. Very sad. Luck to you with your boy. Maybe you can find good counsel from one of the University vet-med research labs. It's worth a call.
• path, I had to laugh at your comment because it reminded me of my favorite cat, who passed away several years ago. It is indeed true that long-term steroid use usually shortens the lifespan. My cat had to go on steroids for severe eczema. We didn't expect her to live that long, though she was fairly young and otherwise healthy. We were super nice to her in her "last years". She just kept living and living... The steroids made her super-fat, but we said, "What the heck, she's gonna die soon anyway, might as well let her eat whatever she wants". The steroids also made her unnaturally happy. She used to loll around purring with her tongue hanging out. Eventually she turned 18. Yes, eighteen. She got cancer. We called the vet. He said, in astonishment, "That cat's still alive!?" There wasn't much that could be done about the cancer. It was terminal. We started being even nicer to her. Long story short, she lived three more years, to the amazing age of 21. So I recommend being super-nice to your cat, pretending each day is your last together, and hopefully she will grow into extreme old age, steroids and all. Back on topic, I know nothing about dogs, or your dog's illness, dxlifer, but I recommend the same treatment. I am very sorry to hear about your dog's pain, and I hope he feels better soon.
• Krebs: thanks for the story.
• I am feeling so sorry that it has taken me a whole day to get back. And thanks, krebs, for the story, as well.It made me chuckle and I can't agree more... So I recommend being super-nice to your cat, pretending each day is your last together, and hopefully she will grow into extreme old age, steroids and all. Ain't that just the greatest philosophy to greet all you love? Bravo and a big banana! My old dog, whom I rescued at age eight, lived to be 14 1/2 years, with me looking at her every day with the thought she could she could die. She certainly did exploit it, but gave so much back in love and knowledge. After she was gone I indeed realised all that love had kept her going long past what her prospects were when I brought her home or just the medications for her discomfort. / but i digress. I did question the steroid use, but was told that the levels would be minimal and far beneath any amount that would affect life expectancy. The big factor is going to be the pain and how he copes. I have to wean him off the mobicam now as his blood test, yesterday, showed elevated liver enzymes. I have examined the bases of the first nails that dropped and can see a very narrow edge of rough black tissue. Hopefully that is new nail growth. I'm going to start rubbing Hooflex on them. *where's that bluehorse? She'll know about that stuff.* I't a revitalysing cream for horse's hooves and great for peoples' hands as well. I've also put some Keratin into the med list. He has a history of ear infections that I've generally kept in control by hygeine. With those big ears standing up, it's easy to see the redness start and be diligent. He's always had tender tootsies and was told that was not unusual for shepherds. Now I realise they often followed our runs in the bush and were probably fungal reactions to moisture in the grass and all the water he loves to loll around in. Once the nails are off he becomes more comfortable within a day on that foot. He is , however, always licking the first joint of his front legs, which indicates some pain there. There is some infection in his system, right now, although he's been on the high doses of tetracycline for six days now. Today, for the first time he was moody about taking his morning meal and meds. Since he has not had a run in the bush, sorry, dubbya, in weeks and we did that twice a week. He's also missing his daily walks, although I'm starting short jaunts now. That's a block length or two. /have to run off to do the supper thingas men and critters are calling...back later. Thanks to all great monkey minds and critter lovers.
• Now, on more reflection, I see I shall pursue bluehorse's suggestion and maybe call the provincial vet college, if things don't show some improvement. I was also reaffirmed from krebs' cat living so long on steroids. That had been a major concern, if that is the way to go. I'm hoping for more 'traditional' means of eventually dealing with this. The prospect of losing our sojourns in the woods together is gruesome. Or he may have to wear booties. That's a thought as well. He loves to play dress-up. Here's a picture of him from last spring, on flickr.
• He's gorgeous!
• Beautiful dog! And I think there was love in his eyes for whoever was taking his picture.
• Absolutely gorgeous. And obviously very smart too :) Hope that everything goes well, dxlifer.
• dxlifer, what a delightful pup. I love how his eyes smile. Like krebs cycle said, do what you can and love his doggie tush off. My elderly cat lived for several years with diabetes and arthritis (and chronic flatulence). During a scary episode of liver problems, we vowed that if she survived we would throw her a birthday party every year thereafter. (A big party, with cake, ice cream, balloons, streamers, cocktails and lots of friends. Of course it was more to help us deal with the stress of elderly pet care. But she liked people, and really enjoyed the extra attention and cuddles. And little treats of tuna.) Anyway, we celebrated 4 of her birthdays before she died last February at the age of 20. That silly ritual gave us lots of good memories. Please keep us posted, and I hope your canine friend feels better soon.
• Thanks for the words, shinything et al. Today he is scampering about the house happily, chasing the cat and in a good mood. No more lost nails since yesterday and the infection seems to be receding. I found a phamphlet on onychomycosis today, an incurable toe nail fungus that people get that sounds very similar. I shall have to read up on this. At least they don't ask people to chop off toes for diagnosis, nail clippings and shavings will do. Thanks folks, for being around.