Pemphigus Foliaceus(auto immune skin condition) in Cocker Spaniel (ridgeback, how much, bulldog)
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My 5 year old cocker spaniel has been diagnosed with Pemphigus Foliaceus, an auto immune skin condition, after a skin biopsy was done. We have been going to the vet and now to a dermatologist for the last 4 months and Sunny was initially treated for allergies followed by skin and ear infection. He's been on antihistamines, antibiotics, ear drops, medicated shampoo and conditioner and nothing seemed to help. He would get better for about a week or so and start to break out all over again. After his diagnosis he has been on a high dose of prednisone; he did really well for a week and now he is starting to break out again. We do go to the dermatologist in 3 days and Sunny would be on the prednisone for 12 days on Wednesday Feb 4. Is anyone familiar with this condition? I read it is quite rare in cocker spaniels.
I had a Saint mix (he was my baby) who suffered from Pemphigus almost all of the 5 years of his life. Be very careful of the Pred dosage. Too much Pred can kill your dog. The high dose cannot be maintained for two long. Kodi almost died from Iatrogenic Cushings Disease (vet caused), from high doses of Prednisone. Too much Pred can lead to increased thirst, weight gain (they will eat anything, no matter what it is), Congestive Heart Failure, rapid panting, and weak muscles (they deteriorate), Generally Azathioprine will be prescribed, and the Prednisone will be gradually reduced (can't do it quickly, as that can cause major problems too). Our vet (who consulted with Cornell Vet Hospital) alternated the Prednisone and the Azathioprine, which worked well. I had a 160 pound Saint Bernard mix on 15 mg of Pred every other day.
You need to be very careful with Pemphigus, it attacks the organs (and Prednisone can damage them): the liver in particular. You may want to think about an ultrasound in the future. Pemphigus also decreases longevity, which is very difficult to face. I went through hell and back with Kodi, was at the vet and Cornell constantly, and he only lived 5 years. But, every penny I spent (and it ran well over $10,000) was worth it.
Good luck with your dogs treatment, and please seek out a veterinary college hospital, as they are always up on the newest research and treatment.
I have a question for you, I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback who has been diganosed with the same thing. She has been on steroids for a while now. I want to wheen her off of them, but the vet says that without them we would have to put her down. I know there must be other treatments for her, are there any vets or dermatologist in memphis that you would recommend?
I have a 9yr old cocker spaniel with pemphius since Dec 22-08. She has been on medrol, azathiprine,antibiotics, losec, medicated shampoos 3 times a week and she is still sick today June 12-09. I see a vet dermatologist now only once a month instead of every week and I don't think my dog will get any better. The meds are affecting her liver and the vets don't have any other ideas. She is still a happy and active dog for now, but I don't know for how much longer. They do want to give her an ultra sound on her liver, but what good will that do. The meds are affecting her liver and without the meds she'll get the full blown affects of the disease again. I think for my dog it's a losing battle, but she is a part of our family and we will make sure that she enjoys the life that she has now with this disease. Good luck to any pet and pet owner that has this disease.
I think the only thing you can do is enjoy being with them as long as you can, and make their life as happy and full of love as possible. The Pemphigus does shorten their lives, and so do the medications. I was lucky to have Kodi with me for 5 years (he died a year ago yesterday), but still wish he were lying by my feet. It's a horrible disease that I wish they would find a cure for.
Our 6 year old bulldog was diagnosed with pemphigus fol about 2 and a half weeks ago, I feel she is depressed because of the steroids, and is so upset she can't make the walks with her brother..at the moment she is on 2 different types of anti biotics, the steroids (10 a day) and a sleepy painkiller..she had 7 biopsys in total and we've discovered today that 1 of her paws is still so swollen she is in pain to walk....she has never even so much as let out a whimper...we are not going to let this thing take her away when she's got a few years left in her...what is the root cause of this thing though, what triggers it??she is so weak, I'm longing to see her run around..does anybody know of anything she can take natural that may help
When I was growing up we had a cocker cross which had a terrible skin condition - which sounds very similiar to what your cocker has. She was diagnosed as having a thyroid condition, and lived on thyroid meds. Very sad - bald patches and sores all over her.
After she had passed, I had an Aunt with a dog with a similiar problem in a dachshund - and she went on an all natural home made food diet. I wish we had tried that....you don't mention diet - have you tried different foods?
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9yrs old cocker with pemphius