 Re: Familial Canine Dermatomyositis
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#120079 - 12/07/2006 04:32 PM |
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I do understand that Pred can help a lot over the short term, and I imagine the vet will explain this, but also that in a case this severe, it's a fast-progressing disease.
Maybe there have been advances that aren't yet in the vet books and sites, and maybe he is not what is termed "severely afflicted."
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Re: Familial Canine Dermatomyositis
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#120108 - 12/07/2006 07:37 PM |
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Thanks Connie. Yeah, the whole thing is really weird. It's been AMAZINGLY fast moving. So far though, he hasn't had acted like any of this bothers him at all! No reaction to me handling his mouth or anything.
The only thing that is painful to him are his ears in the last couple of days, and then only when I forget and rub them.
I have no interest in letting my boy get to the point that he's in pain with more pain in sight. But considering the only thing we're treating him with now is vit. E, I'm open to trying some other things before I totally give up.
It's my understanding that this disease never has "case-book" cases, if you know what I mean. Some dogs lose symptoms, some get horribly bad, some are moderate for their whole lives. I have no idea. I'm kind of confused as to what to do other than wait and see what happens and try to treat it. If it gets to the point where he's suffering then I'll do what I have to do. But despite how awful it looks...he's acting like he always has!! Very odd. It's like leprosy on Prozac!
Carbon |
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Re: Familial Canine Dermatomyositis
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#120112 - 12/07/2006 07:47 PM |
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I understand 100%. I was trying to broach the subject of possible euthanasia without being too shocking, but I see that you do understand.
I'm so glad he isn't suffering, and I'm sure we would all do the same: hope that a treatment protocol would give him some quality time, but be prepared as much as we can be for the possibility that it won't.
Every article I read said what you are saying: that individual dogs vary a lot in how the disease progresses.
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Re: Familial Canine Dermatomyositis
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#120156 - 12/08/2006 10:07 AM |
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Speaking of moving fast...since I wrote that post and said that he doesn't even notice his sores (except the ones in his ears), now he's started itching and rubbing at his lips. I don't know if it's because of the scabs being itchy or what. He looks like a burn victim. He's licking his lips a lot now, too. It makes me think of what I'm like with chapped lips.
Anyway we have an appt with the vet today. He's going to be shocked at how bad he looks since he last saw him a week ago. Hopefully I'll be able to get something to improve this situation. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your help!
Carbon |
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 As if that weren't bad enough!
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#120158 - 12/08/2006 10:15 AM |
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The other bizarre aspect to this is that we're getting our GSD puppy tonight. Really bad timing, but when we picked out the pup Farley was fine. As of 5 days ago he was fine!!! Just a tiny sore on his lip and some slight pigment loss!
So we'll be juggling a lot. I was planning on keeping Farley and the new pup separated so there really shouldn't be an issue. I guess I'm preparing for the worst case: having a dog euthanized at the same time as getting a new pup is NOT how I would like to handle this. It's really premature to be thinking this but considering how fast this disease is moving, it's suddenly not so farfetched to think that he might be in horrible shape a month from now. I'm preparing for the worst, hoping for the best.
I'm committed to each of them so we'll get through it. I am REALLY excited about the pup...I've been waiting years for this dog!! Maybe it's a good thing to have something positive to offset the worry!
Carbon |
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Re: As if that weren't bad enough!
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#120160 - 12/08/2006 10:26 AM |
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Amber, I don't know anything about the disease - is it contagious?
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Re: As if that weren't bad enough!
[Re: Sandy Moore ]
#120163 - 12/08/2006 10:33 AM |
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You should be documenting this with photographs and vet reports. Take pictures of Farley every day. This will, at the very least, help your friend get his money back if he ever has to take the breeder to court. Hopefully that won't happen.
But you are the one who has the proof that there is a hereditary illness in her breeding lines. Let's hope she does the right thing and cuts her losses with that line.
P.S> your poor dog! It looks like it would be uncomfortable.
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Re: As if that weren't bad enough!
[Re: Angela Burrell ]
#120203 - 12/08/2006 12:44 PM |
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I have been taking pictures every day because every day seems to make such a huge difference! And we're getting quite a collection of vet reports (and bills)!
Sandy: It's not contagious, luckily, but it is very hereditary. And the symptoms of the breeding dog means nothing about their likelihood of passing it along. Apparently some dogs have it and it only presents itself as occasional flaking of the ears (meaning it might never even be looked at by a vet because it's so harmless looking) or something. But in her pups it could be horrible, as in my dog. Which is why my friend can't breed his dog (my dog's brother) even though he's not showing symptoms now.
I'm sure it wasn't good news for the breeder, but I'm sure she doesn't want her line known for being riddled with this disease.
Carbon |
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Re: As if that weren't bad enough!
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#120207 - 12/08/2006 01:06 PM |
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Glad it's not contagious, since you're getting your GSD pup.
I'm so sorry your dog has to go through this. Farley is a cutie for sure. That's a beautiful picture of him, pre-symptoms. So amiable looking - Corgis have always struck me as sweet souls.
Tough break for the breeder - hope she makes the right decision about not breeding the dog/dogs that carry it. Sure hope she didn't already know and bred anyway.
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Re: As if that weren't bad enough!
[Re: Amber Morgan ]
#120210 - 12/08/2006 01:29 PM |
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Amber, I'm just very sorry for what you are going through. I don't know what else to say. Bless you for loving your dogs enough to do your very best for them - even when the choices get really difficult.
Beth
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