krazydog
05-19-2005, 02:46 PM
Last week we took in a 7 year old male Samoyed. The dog hadn't been groomed in a very long time and was completely felted on his stomach and in other spots on his body. He had urine stains and fecal matter stuck on him. Obviously, he stunk. We tried to save the coat, but he ended up having to be shaved. He hadn't been to the vet in 2 years. We did, however, get a copy of his vet records from the previous owner.
This boy had been diagnosed by a previous vet as having VKH-like syndrome and hypothyroidism. We had a full blood panel run, with thyroid, and everything came back normal. But he apparently hadn't been on medications for over a year, since he hadn't been to the vet in 2 years. Also, this boy's eyes are fine. No signs of the deterioration associated with VKH. The only symptom he's currently showing is that his nose is completely raw from lack of treatment, which I've learned can happen with VKH, systemic lupus, and discoid lupus.
Our vet thinks the original diagnosis was incorrect, and that the dog only has discoid lupus. However, the dog's medical history shows repeated illnesses over the years such as urinary infections, watery eyes, severe diarrhea, vomiting, low thyroid, etc.
I'd be interested in talking to others who have had dogs with discoid lupus, systemic lupus, or VKH. I'm wondering if anyone else has seen symptoms from a severe autoimmune problem just disappear. Doesn't seem likely. I'm wondering if his past problems may have been the result of physical neglect, given the condition in which the dog came into rescue? Or is it possible to have a "mild" case of systemic lupus with periodic minor flare-ups? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Beverley
SFSR
This boy had been diagnosed by a previous vet as having VKH-like syndrome and hypothyroidism. We had a full blood panel run, with thyroid, and everything came back normal. But he apparently hadn't been on medications for over a year, since he hadn't been to the vet in 2 years. Also, this boy's eyes are fine. No signs of the deterioration associated with VKH. The only symptom he's currently showing is that his nose is completely raw from lack of treatment, which I've learned can happen with VKH, systemic lupus, and discoid lupus.
Our vet thinks the original diagnosis was incorrect, and that the dog only has discoid lupus. However, the dog's medical history shows repeated illnesses over the years such as urinary infections, watery eyes, severe diarrhea, vomiting, low thyroid, etc.
I'd be interested in talking to others who have had dogs with discoid lupus, systemic lupus, or VKH. I'm wondering if anyone else has seen symptoms from a severe autoimmune problem just disappear. Doesn't seem likely. I'm wondering if his past problems may have been the result of physical neglect, given the condition in which the dog came into rescue? Or is it possible to have a "mild" case of systemic lupus with periodic minor flare-ups? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Beverley
SFSR