Updated!! Poor Penny...When will it end??? Grr............

Kari · May 15, 2007, 07:20:49 PM

So Penny went for her blood work yesterday and they called this afternoon to say that everything came back in range :thumb:. So that is the good news! We weren't sure if there was something going on since she recently got off the Immune Suppressant. So they wanted to be extra sure that everything was fine.

Now for the bad news

...it seems as if she is having a problem with Vasculitis again. She had this problem back in 2004 and was put on some medication and it went away - it is difficult to diagnose. Our vet at the time (no longer our vet anymore) misdiagnosed what it was and it got so bad that she lost a little sliver of her ear. We ended up taking her to a Canine Dermatologist that was able to help us get it taken care of. This time we know what the signs are and we recognized it early. It is a disease involving immune complexes. So we aren't sure if it was triggered someway by her other condition or getting off the immune suppressant

. Fortunately the hospital were her neurologist is located has a dermatologist and we were able to get an appointment with her for next week. We could have taken her to the old dermatologist but just felt better taking her where her records/doctor are in case the two doctors need to chat.

She isn't in any pain but she is starting to get scabs on the tips of her ears

. She is such a trooper. She is really doing great now other than this problem and her poo eating!

I tried to find a layman's description of the condition but really couldn't, so here is the more technical definition:
"Vasculitis mediated by immune complexes occurs in animals, especially dogs and horses. Lesions are most prevalent in the dermis of the distal limbs and mucous membranes of the mouth, particularly the palate and tongue (dogs) and lips (horses). Involvement of the nose, ears, eyelids, cornea, and anus is less common. Early lesions are seen as reddened areas that rapidly form shallow erosions. A scab quickly forms over dermal erosions. Edema of the limbs is common in horses and a less frequent but equally striking sign in dogs. Vasculitis is a feature of SLE in some animals but most often is idiopathic. Drug-induced vasculitis has been well recognized in dogs. The vasculitis is detected on histopathologic and immunohistopathologic examination of superficial and deep biopsies taken from the margins of lesions."

Any rays you could send her way would be appreciated...I just feel so bad/helpless. She does have the best of the best when it comes to doctors! I just want her to be healthy and happy.

Valerie · May 15, 2007, 07:55:17 PM

Oh Kari- i was going to ask how Penny's appointment went. I'm glad you posted.

Gosh, I understand the feeling of when will it end.

Its so sad to see our babies have problems.

My co-worker's doxie, named Zeus (love that name), has problems with the ears getting scabby and bleeding. Its gotten so bad they may have to get his ears clipped. :( She told me it was common in doxies.

Is there anything you can do in the meantime to make her ears feel better while you wait for the appointment? I can ask my co-worker tomorrow what they do for Zeus.

Lots and lots of rays coming to Penny from Cookie and me. :xfinger:

Kari · May 15, 2007, 08:03:03 PM

Quote from: Valerie on May 15, 2007, 07:55:17 PM
My co-worker's doxie, named Zeus (love that name), has problems with the ears getting scabby and bleeding. Its gotten so bad they may have to get his ears clipped. :( She told me it was common in doxies.

Is there anything you can do in the meantime to make her ears feel better while you wait for the appointment? I can ask my co-worker tomorrow what they do for Zeus.

Yeah - apparently it is really common with Doxies. Nothing we can do at this point (that I am aware of) except keep her ears mosturized. Fortunately we know what it is and can get it treated quickly. I'm not sure if she can take the same medication as last time or if it will conflict with her other problems

. Back when we were having problems with this in 2004 we met another doxie that was having the same problem (and the same problem with dianosis as well). They were able to get in with the dermatologist that we were going to and het him treated as well! Thanks for the rays!!

cheryl186 · May 16, 2007, 04:24:55 AM

OH NO!!!!! So very sorry to hear about Penny having Vasculitis!! My heart goes out to her...poor little Dear has had so much!!! Mega rays and prayers coming your way to Penny....

Barb · May 16, 2007, 07:50:50 AM

Oh no !!! Hang in there Penny girl.....it will end..... Kari - so glad that ya'll were able to get early and can get her in to get treatment. Good idea to have the 2 doctors close- so each can be aware of what is prescribed for her. Is the only place she is affected is on her ears? Sending rays that Penny AND mom and dad are ok - please keep us posted !

Kari · May 16, 2007, 08:27:07 AM

Quote from: Barb on May 16, 2007, 07:50:50 AM
Is the only place she is affected is on her ears?

Yes - Thank goodness!! Last time she had a problem it was also only with her ears! It could be so much worse!

TerriL · May 16, 2007, 09:40:28 AM

Oh no...Poor Penny! Sounds like mama is taking really good care of you though. Just hang in there sweet girl. Special belly rubs for you!

Sandishooligans · May 16, 2007, 10:26:20 PM

Poor Penny. You are such a brave girl and we all love you. Kisses to you sweet puddin'.

Jenny G · May 17, 2007, 07:34:06 AM

oh- poor Princess Penny! If it's not one thing.... Lots of rays coming your way!

Lucy's ears are really dry and flakey at the tips. I've tried putting vitamin E oil on them, but that only works temporarily. I wonder if I should have the vet take a look in case it's something more serious!

Kari · May 17, 2007, 08:50:07 AM

Quote from: Jenny G on May 17, 2007, 07:34:06 AM
Lucy's ears are really dry and flakey at the tips. I've tried putting vitamin E oil on them, but that only works temporarily. I wonder if I should have the vet take a look in case it's something more serious!

That is how Penny's started - dry, flaky, loss of hair at the tips. Then black scabs start to form. I might have your vet take a look at her next time just to make sure. Back in 2004 our vet kept telling us it was fly bites, allergies and then an infection. It wasn't until we went to the Dermatologist that we found out about vasculitis. Hopefully for Lucy it is just dry skin!!

Kari · May 22, 2007, 09:06:03 AM

We are off to the vet this morning! I'll post an update later today. Thanks for all the rays!

Kari · May 23, 2007, 09:54:58 AM

Penny's vet appointment went well yesterday - the dermatologist was wonderful! Unfortunately my wallet is a whole lot lighter

!!

She does have Vasculitis again

and the doctor feels that it was triggered by her getting off the Imuran immune suppressant. She specializes in dermatological immune disorders and since vasculitis is one of those disorders she is the perfect person to treat her. She did chat with Penny's neurologist to get up to speed on everything that happened with her back which was great :thumb:!! So she is going to be be on a couple of prescriptions as well as special shampoo and ointment for her ears. They also want to put her on a hypoallergenic food as a trial to minimize any other things that might be adding to triggering the vasculitis. I had to make two trips to the car because of all the stuff I went home with :verdict:!! We have to call the doctor in two weeks with an update and then go back for a recheck in 4 weeks. All of this (aside from the food change) should be completed in 30 - 45 days depending on how her ears respond. I asked her if this was going to be a continual battle for Penny and she obviously really couldn't tell me at this point. I just feel so bad for Penny!! Fortunately this problem doesn't really seem to slow her down much so we have our fingers crossed that we get this cleared up and have no recurrences of the vasculities or her back problems.

On a happier note, Penny's neuro team all came out to see her! There were so pleased with all her progress and how well she looked! She was so excited to see all of them!!

tpoof · May 24, 2007, 06:28:07 AM

Sorry to hear about the troubles with Penny! We will definately send out prayers for such a brave girl!

Sounds like its about time some good rolled in

Good luck to you's all!

Barb · May 24, 2007, 07:44:07 AM

Thanks for the update - bless Penny's heart...and your wallet !!! At least it is not getting her down - and very kewl that her doctors are all together and can discuss treatements. Sending Penny rays that he ears clear up quickly and the meds do the trick !!!

I was watching Penny cam Tuesday afternoon about 3 or so - is that when you went to the doctor? I saw both you and Drew and it looked like you scooped Penny up before going out the gate - I scanned around and couldn't find her !!!! You need to wave to the camera - LOL !!!!

What food are you going to switch her to?

Kari · May 24, 2007, 08:43:43 AM

Quote from: Barb on May 24, 2007, 07:44:07 AM
Thanks for the update - bless Penny's heart...and your wallet !!! At least it is not getting her down - and very kewl that her doctors are all together and can discuss treatements. Sending Penny rays that he ears clear up quickly and the meds do the trick !!!

I was watching Penny cam Tuesday afternoon about 3 or so - is that when you went to the doctor? I saw both you and Drew and it looked like you scooped Penny up before going out the gate - I scanned around and couldn't find her !!!! You need to wave to the camera - LOL !!!!

What food are you going to switch her to?

LOL - Actually we were headed out to run some errands and she was riding with us. I'll have to wave next time

! We are going to try her on the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Food. My first question to her was about the recall and she told me that this food was not part of the recall and it had been tested to make sure it was fine. She really loves the food :thumb:

Valerie · May 26, 2007, 04:43:53 PM

I have been wanting to post in here but have had such trouble getting on the website recently.

Glad her dr's are communicating and hopefully it will get cleared up soon. :xfinger:

Updated!! Poor Penny...When will it end??? Grr............

Sandishooligans