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I did a quick search on the main CIMDAsupport page and have copied a previous post from Jo in reply to a person with a dog with SLE:

>>>>    I would make up a spray of natural essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus and teatree oil (total oil: 15 drops 500ml water - Pet lovers Guide to Natural Healing for Cats and Dogs by Barbara Fougere).  You can put a splash of hair conditioner and use it as a grooming spray.  It is only a repellent so if you have a real flea problem, to avoid using chemicals on your dog, you may have to think about intensive vacuuming and then using a house spray in the cracks and corners like Indorex, but I would choose to use it when you were going out for a few hours to give it time for any left over smell to dissipate. There are ready made natural flea repellents on the market too.<<<<<             

Are there any areas other than indoors that they could be picking up fleas from? For instance behind sheds or in the garden where wildlife might be. They could be hedgehog fleas for instance.

Jo's computer is not working properly, but I have talked to her about your post. Here is her reply:

Given that this dog has tested positive for Ehlrichia, and is showing many of the typical clinical signs,  and also is being treated appropriately, I doubt, at this stage,  that there is secondary immune mediated complications.

Fortunately, in the UK ehrlichiosis is rare, so I don't have enough experience to give any advice, but I would ask for a further test for ehrlichia to see if there is any difference in the IgG levels which will hopefully indicate that the medication that he is having is bringing this under control.

Sorry to be so vague.  Please get back to us if there is an immune mediated cause.

This is an informative website:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ehrlichiosis-in-dogs


It is difficult to advise without seeing the dog, or knowing the full details, but I hope some of it helps.

Thank you. Has he been having 16mg of Prednol the whole time or just recently? If it is now autoimmune then for a labrador, (weight about 36kg), he should be having 36mg of Prednisolone every 12 hours, plus a gastroprotectant for his tummy.

I have notified Jo Tucker, so hopefully, she can advise you a bit more.

Do you have the normal range values please?

If he has low haematocrit and platelets together then that can be Evans Syndrome. See here:https://cimda.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,13.0.html Also he would need to be started on a higher dose of Prednisolone. See here:

Immunosuppressive Protocols for Oral Prednisolone in the Dog.
Ref: Clinical Immunology of the Dog & Cat by Michael J Day  – Professor of Veterinary Pathology, University of Bristol, UK and WSAVA - Chairman of Scientific Advisory Committee.

This example is base on a dog receiving an induction dose of 1.0mg/kg/q12hrs

Dose                Duration (based on clinical effect)

1.0mg/kg/q12h             10-28 days
0.75mg/kg/q12h            10-28 days
0.5mg/kg/q12h             10-28 days
0.25mg/kg/q12h          10-28 days
0.25mg/kg/q24h          10-28 days
0.25-0.5mg/kg/ Every other day      at least 21 days
0.25-0.5 mg/kg/ Every third day       at least 21 days

Azathioprine (a cytotoxic drug) can be used in combination with prednisolone at 2mg/kg/24 or 48 hrs and dose gradually reduced, when remission is achieved, over a period of months.
Clinical response to Azathioprine may take up to 6 weeks. (Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook)

Don't forget the gastroprotectant!

Have you see the information here about SLO? http://cimda.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=22.0

My dog had SLO some years ago although we never had it confirmed. My vet prescribed a course of Clinacin and Malaseb shampoo. It was a long process of my dog losing her nails and they grew back fairly deformed and have kept short. We did not use any other medication and all dogs are different but it could give you some hope.

You could try putting some socks on the affected paws, at times, to stop him licking them if he is doing that. Dog boots would also help protect his toes/nails being knocked when he goes outside, especially if you have other dogs as well that want to play boisterously. Just make sure that you keep his feet clean, dry and aired if you use the socks, boots.

I would let the nails come off naturally.

I have not heard of Pentoxyfillin

Jo Tucker should be able to help you more with that. She should be along soon. Meanwhile you can use the search facility on the main page which may give more information.

Regarding the Omeprazole, that did not agree with my dog so I changed to Zitac and she was able to keep her food down. Is she definitely vomiting or could it be regurgitating? I found feeding my dog with her bowl raised stopped the regurgitating. Also you could try feeding her smaller meals several times during the day although obviously away from any medication that must not be given around feeding times.

Hopefully Jo will be along soon to advise about the SRMA.

Amy, thank you for the update. Even if people do not post on the site they can still read the information. It will give anyone who has a dog with Uveo Dermatologic Syndrome hope that it can be controlled. Also the "halo" idea sounds good although perhaps cover it with some material, padding perhaps?

I have had dogs with seizures and one can never totally relax. Life can be cruel, just when you think things are going well it throws bad things your way. Sometimes lots of bad things that make it difficult to cope but we have to think of the good times we had with our dogs and humans.

I hope you will soon have happier times.

  Thanks for restoring the site, John.    It is good to see it back again as there is so much important information on it to help owners of ill dogs, .

Can you not take Elsie with you on holiday or would she get worried away from home? Perhaps a weekend with family or a friend or someone with a dog Elsie gets on with who can share the responsibility and let you have some time to relax, even if just for a few hours?

Is there any reason you feed Psalm that particular food? It is very high in protein and fat. You could try a "senior" version if they sell that. Or I have found something like James Wellbeloved dry food BUT the senior version which will have less protein etc. Also try giving her less then the amount they say on the packet.

Rather than one big meal a day, three smaller meals throughout the day may be better. Also to soak the dry food in some hot water for about 10minutes and let it cool may make her feel full so not looking for more food.

 

Omeprazole was not that good for my dog either. Here is a post I did before on the Group:

*****I have just remembered something about the Omeprazole I was given for my dog. The tablets had to be given whole so that the dog could swallow it before the contents opened up. Well, it was quite a large tablet and probably tasted bitter and it was very difficult to get my dog to swallow it without chewing it. She regurgitated her food whilst on the Omeprazole so after a few days I changed to Zitac and things improved immediately. Also you do not have to give the Zitac apart from food AND you can cut them or crush them.

This was a lot easier and I would sprinkle it in her food. Of course you will need to make sure she eats her food. She was on the Zitac quite a while but we never had any problems and it was one less thing to have to remember giving at certain times.*****

Regarding not having blood tests, it depends when Mabel had a full blood test last. Her liver values will elevate on high doses of steroids but the bloods would also alert you to any other problems, maybe regarding the anal lump.

Are the sores scabbing? If so are you having trouble with the fur pulling off the scabs before they are ready? If so I found that regularly trimming the area around the scabs with scissors helped stop the hair sticking to the sores.

How much does Ally weigh and how long was she having 60mg of Preds.? Has she been having a gastroprotectant? Below is a good  medication regime.

Jo Tucker should be along soon and will be able to explain things better and help you get Ally well again.



>>>>Immunosuppressive Protocols for Oral Prednisolone in the Dog.
Ref: Clinical Immunology of the Dog & Cat by Michael J Day  – Professor of Veterinary Pathology, University of Bristol, UK and WSAVA - Chairman of Scientific Advisory Committee.

This example is based on a dog receiving an induction dose of 1.0mg/kg/q12hrs (every 12 hours)

Dose                Duration (based on clinical effect)

1.0mg/kg/q12h             10-28 days
0.75mg/kg/q12h            10-28 days
0.5mg/kg/q12h             10-28 days
0.25mg/kg/q12h                         10-28 days
0.25mg/kg/q24h                         10-28 days
0.25-0.5mg/kg/ Every other day      at least 21 days
0.25-0.5 mg/kg/ Every third day       at least 21 days

Azathioprine (a cytotoxic drug) can be used in combination with prednisolone at 2mg/kg/24 or 48 hrs and dose gradually reduced, when remission is achieved, over a period of months.
Clinical response to Azathioprine may take up to 6 weeks. (Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook)

Don't forget the gastroprotectant!   <<<<

Poor you and Woody! It can be so debilitating dealing with one illness after another or trying to work  out what exactly that illness is. You are right to question things. Unfortunately vets only have a certain amount of time whereas you are with Woody more and will notice more.

I do not know anything about steroids and heart medication but I am sure Jo will soon advise on that. The same for M.M.M. I certainly think it is worth investigating what else it can be rather than just accepting to make Woody "comfortable".

Just a thought - has Woody's thyroid been tested recently? Hypothyroidism can make a dog's head muscle thinner and they can have any number of problems, - some with swallowing, joint problems etc.