My Lab. Has a rare disorder. Can you please help us???

Question

My black labrador was diagnosed about a year and a half ago with a disease called Lupoid Onchodystrophy (Lou-poid On - eh - ko - dis - trophy). This is a disease that causes the outer portion of her claws (the part that you trim) to separate from the quick (the part that has the blood supply). It is extremely painful! (Imagine having someone peel your fingernails off slowly and you'll get an idea of how it must feel.) The disease progresses until it affects every toenail. So far, every claw on the front (including dew-claws) has been affected, about 3 claws on the back as well. The course of treatment is usually Omega 3 fatty acids followed by a life-long course of antibiotics. Maggie is taking her Omega 3, but can't tolerate the antibiotics (she throws up constantly). Now the vet has said that the only thing we can do to help her is to amputate the first digit on every toe in front! We cannot de-claw the back feet because it causes severe unrelenting pain in dogs. Please help shes 11-

She is 11 years old; I have had her since she was a puppy. Is there any new treatments, has your dog been de-clawed in front, are there any websites you know about to help us? I will do anything and pay anything for this dog!

Answer 1

The website I just looked up said that "little or no beneficial response was seen with any treatment" with the antibiotics, so I don't think it's going to hurt her taking her off the antibiotics. Discuss it with your vet. Print out the beaconforhealth report and take it with you to let him read it. BTW - on that report, unless I missed something, no where does it say you should "declaw" the dog.

************JR************
It is, apparently, an autoimmune problem. Follow the first link I provided for more information. Nice guess!

Answer 2

'Onychodystrophy'

These questions are all best discussed with a vet, or another vet if you're not satisfied with what you're hearing.

Please be aware that the internet is an inadvisable place to turn for medical advice - you can't be sure of the source of what you're reading, it could be total rubbish. This is the very reason vets get offended when clients try to substitute their knowledge and expertise for stuff read on the internet!

A vet is your best person to turn to for further research - they will have contacts in medical companies they can turn to for real information.

I haven't heard of this disorder before, apparently it's only just been recognised and therefore any developments in treatment are in the early stages. Again, be wary of trusting what you read on the internet.

I found a scientific paper here, which is the sort of information that might be more reliable if you really want to search the internet:
http://www.beaconforhealth.org/Onchodystrophy.htm

Good luck with this - you really can't do better than veterinary expertise I'm afraid, as they are the ones kept abreast of new medical developments. I hope you find a treatment that can make your dog comfortable,

Chalice

Answer 3

What an incredibly awful thing for a dog to have to endure. I agree that contacting a vet school is a very good idea. Schools are usually on the cutting edge of medicine, as the students do all kinds of research. Ohio State, University of Illinois, Texas A & M, Tufts University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin all have vet schools (of course, there are others, too).

If it is an immune system problem, I would imagine giving her some kind of herbs would help. Azmira makes lots of herbal liquids for a variety of health and behavior issues; I bought Immunostim'r for my cat who had chronic upper respiratory infections.

Answer 4

Does this have anything to do with auto immune. It sounds like the body is attacking the nails?

I have not been involved or heard of anyone declawing a dog but Im sure you can go to thte veterinary board and discuss it with someone. I mean the place that gave your vet a license to practice not a message board.


Added

Thanks Py

And yes it does say something about the third phalanx which would be the third joint so it would be amputation of the majority of the digit not declawing. My concern would be balance inthe pet after removing so much of each toe??

Answer 5

I would take her to another vet at another clinic and get a second opinion. Take what info you have from the first vet and give it to the vet for a second opinion. It really is always best to get a second opinion if you question what your vet is thinking. The vets at our clinic always recommend getting a second opinion if their client isn't comfortable with their diagnosis or treatment. It is on the safest side to see what they think. I also agree if you are close to an vet schools, maybe taking them there would help- they are going to have the newest treatments in places like those. Good Luck.

Answer 6

I wonder if this is a condition that a veterinary dermatologist may be better suited to help you with. If not a derm vet, then possibly a surgical specialist.
Sorry I have no other suggestions. I am not familiar with this condition, but maybe seeking further diagnostics and treatments from specialists will be helpful.

Answer 7

You really should get her to a Veterinary College. Michigan State University, Cornell, OSU. I'm not sure where you are. Get a second opinion, this sounds very rare.

Prayers for your dog are on the way.

Answer 8

This is a link for a yahoo group, that have owners going through the same thing. I'm sure you could learn much more from them...
Good luck. I find the yahoo groups to be very helpful.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/SLOdogs/

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