Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Dog health - Ask members * If your pet is vomiting-bleeding-diarrhea etc. Vet time!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old August 9th, 2009, 01:41 PM
mossrocks mossrocks is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
familial dermatomyositis

Our 6 month old (mixed breed )has familial dermatomyositis and is on prednisone and pentoxyfilline. She has a fairly mild case, only skin problems so far, no muscle loss that we can notice. Has any one else had experience with this disease? Is there any additional treatment that helps e.g. vitamins?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old August 9th, 2009, 02:35 PM
rainbow's Avatar
rainbow rainbow is offline
-
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Beautiful BC's Kootenay Country
Posts: 34,757
mossrocks, welcome to pets.ca

I am sorry to hear about your puppy. I do not have any experience with familial dermatomyositis ....in fact, I've never even heard of it and had to google it.

The website I looked at (http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/de...tomyositis.htm) said ...

Quote:
Skin lesions are exacerbated by trauma and by exposure to ultraviolet light, so these should be avoided (by the use of sunscreens for example). This may be all that is required in mildly affected dogs, who are likely to outgrow the condition with time.

Dermatomyositis can usually be managed fairly well in moderately affected dogs, with the above precautions and the use of Vitamin E and occasional use of corticosteroids for flare-ups.
Hopefully, that will be the case with your puppy.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help but there may be other members here that have been through this that can offer more advice.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old August 9th, 2009, 02:49 PM
rainbow's Avatar
rainbow rainbow is offline
-
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Beautiful BC's Kootenay Country
Posts: 34,757
mossrocks, I just sent this thread via a pm to Dr. Lee who is gracious enough to offer his advice to the members here. I know he will respond as soon as he reads it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old August 9th, 2009, 04:09 PM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
Welcome to the board, mossrocks. I've no experience with this disease, but I did want to add my wish that your dog outgrows the condition!
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old August 9th, 2009, 05:34 PM
mossrocks mossrocks is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Thanks for your replies. I've been to most of the webs sites that even mention the disease but there's not much info there (or at least not that I can find) so was hoping for some first hand advice. Will continue hoping!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old August 9th, 2009, 09:48 PM
Dr Lee's Avatar
Dr Lee Dr Lee is offline
Senior Contributor - Expert
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,060
Quote:
Originally Posted by mossrocks View Post
Our 6 month old (mixed breed )has familial dermatomyositis and is on prednisone and pentoxyfilline. She has a fairly mild case, only skin problems so far, no muscle loss that we can notice. Has any one else had experience with this disease? Is there any additional treatment that helps e.g. vitamins?
I am sorry to hear about your pet's diagnosis. This is an uncommon disease. I would recommend, if you have not already, have the case followed by a veterinary specialist - dermatologist/internal medicine.

Pentoxifylline (Trental) is the treatment of choice. Prednisone is often used but may likely be unhelpful. Vitamin E given orally twice daily may be beneficial as well as using Vitamin E topically once daily. It is also important to control secondary infections.

This is a serious disease. Some cases can be self limiting and I certainly hope the best for your pet. If I can be of any additional help, please let me know.
__________________
Christopher A. Lee, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM
Preventive Medicine Specialist With a Focus on Immunology and Infectious Disease
myvetzone.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old August 10th, 2009, 10:53 AM
mossrocks mossrocks is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Thanks for your comments. I do have a great Vet but she has limited experience with this disease and we're both trying to get as much info as possible. She's a happy dog, plays with others and doesn't seem to be affected mentally or physically (apart from the hair loss and scabbing) but I'm wondering about the long term. I know it's a life long disease but do you know if it shortens the dogs life or get worse as they get older?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old August 10th, 2009, 01:16 PM
Dr Lee's Avatar
Dr Lee Dr Lee is offline
Senior Contributor - Expert
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,060
I too have limited experience with this disease. My understanding unfortunately is that is can while it can resolve in some cases on its own, it can also get much worse. This is why I recommend touching base with a specialist. This is not a common disease.
__________________
Christopher A. Lee, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM
Preventive Medicine Specialist With a Focus on Immunology and Infectious Disease
myvetzone.com
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:49 AM.