Update on Ellie

jkerr

Forums Regular
Hi!
Ellie had her checkup yesterday. For those who haven't read any posts from me yet, Ellie is a one year old sable sheltie. Three days before Christmas, her skin biopsy results came in, she has Pemphigus Foliaceus. The doctor put her on a variety of meds, including prednisone and clavamox.

Her two week checkup was yesterday. She is looking better, so obviously she is reacting positively to the meds. However, I don't want my one year old on steriods for the rest of her life. So, we see the holistic vet next Saturday. I made another recheck appt with my conventional vet mostly because I want her to stay familiar with Ellie's progress since the holistic vet is over an hour away. I also made an appointment for Katie, our five year old sheltie. She needs her annual exam. I voiced my desire to only have Katie be given the rabies shot and my vet was very receptive to it. Given Ellie's comprimised immune system, she cannot be around other dogs, boarded, etc; so obviously Katie won't be exposed to other dogs wither. I don't know everyone's feelings on vaccines, but due to Ellie's recently scare, I don't want to harm my dogs. I suggested a blood titer for Katie in place of the vaccines. I am extremely happy I have a very open and supportive conventional vet.

I would post before and after pictures but I don't think I can include them in this thread.....or at least I haven't figured it out yet :wink2:
 
Sorry to hear Ellie has this skin disease. I had never heard of it in dogs. She is very young too - does the vet think it could go into remission in the longer term. It would be a shame to be on prednisone for a long time, not being able to interact with other dogs, and hard on you if you want to go away. Good luck with the holistic vet
 
Sorry to hear Ellie has this skin disease. I had never heard of it in dogs. She is very young too - does the vet think it could go into remission in the longer term. It would be a shame to be on prednisone for a long time, not being able to interact with other dogs, and hard on you if you want to go away. Good luck with the holistic vet

From what I understand, the remission times vary from dog to dog. After 14 days on the steriods, she is showing some progress but it will be another month or so before it is compeltely healed. I am hoping the holistic vet will give us some options to avoid the prednisone. I've been reading The Nature of Animal Healing by Dr. Goldstein. He has some extreme views, but his treatment works. So I am hoping something can be done more naturally.
 
Back
Top