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Hello everyone,
For the last month my dog Littlebear has had major problems with her nails. The vets have not been able to pin point what is going on.
This is what is happening.... Littlebear lost a nail about a month ago. Thought she caught it on something. I took her in and they bandaged it and when I ask if they could trim her nails while we were there he went to trim the first and it fell off in his hand. We then realized ALL her nails seem quite soft. So he ran a full blood panel on her and everything came back normal. So we thought it could be either a food sensitivity or a fungal problem.
She has lost 3 nails now and has 3 more that have lifted up over the quick. She is in so much pain and has to wear a cone until we figure out what is going on.
She has been on antibiotics for the last month. I am also soaking her paws in a fungal cleanse for 15min/paw a day. I have also switched her to a hypoallergenic dog food. We have also started her on omega 3's fatty acid. Before all this she has always been in excellent health and in good shape. She will be 6 years old in May.
It just doesn't seem to be getting any better. The vet is stumped and doesn't really know what more to suggest. I have been to see three of them and all are clueless. I was wondering if anyone here or know anyone who has ever experienced this with their dogs before.
I feel so bad for her. She's my big baby and I love her to death. It is like watching one of my kids going though that kind of pain and for so long. I thank you in advance for any advice.
Lana
In Reply to: Problem with dog..... please help posted by Lana [1585.218] on March 30, 2004 at 11:43:02:
never had this problem with one of my dogs, but I've read about how difficult human nail fungus is to treat and how much success people have with applying either vicks vaporub or vinegar- check out the archives on this BB.
In case you don't know much about vaccines- they can mess with immune systems and cause all sorts of health problems.
I would suggest you stop vaccinating your dog except for rabies, which can now be done every 3 years instead of every year if you live in a state that has updated its laws on rabies shots.
In Reply to: Re: Problem with dog..... please help posted by ANN [1003.516] on March 30, 2004 at 12:48:26:
Hi Ann,
I have never vaccinated my dog for that reason except the rabies. I have never believed that they do them any good.
I have argued this with the vet and we have agreed to disagree. He doesn't force things on his patiences like most would. I have also trained my dog not to sniff the ground when we are walking. Yes, you can do this. She only does her thing in a designated spot in the back yard. So I feel she is pretty safe from those diseases they vaccinate for. I feel that is the only way to keep your animal from picking up diseases.
I will look up the archives on this. I will try the vinager on her nails and see if that makes a difference. I know it is going to be a long and agonizing process for her. She can barely walk on the paws that have the nails lifted. It looks so painful. I will try just about anything to get her better.
Thank you so much for replying so quickly Ann.
Lana
In Reply to: Problem with dog..... please help posted by Lana [1585.218] on March 30, 2004 at 11:43:02:
Don't know what you mean about them Lifting Up over the quick. I thought the quick was the blood vessle In the nail.
If it was one of my guys I would be soaking their feet in cayenne and salt boiled in water and maybe even wrapping the wet paws if it is a short haired dog.
nails grow out from a root/bed and it sounds like there might be an infection in the bed. Seems odd it would affect so many. Has there been any change or incident that Might explain a problem ? I'll check with dog/breeder friends and see if they ever heard of such a thing.
In Reply to: Problem with dog..... please help posted by Lana [1585.218] on March 30, 2004 at 11:43:02:
Lana,
here is an article I found on Google. I don't know how to link two of them, so another site you might want to check is here: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dfoot.html#Pain%20in%20paws,%20loss%20of%20toenails
The better one is linked below.
Good luck with your baby.
~~~8>
In Reply to: Problem with dog..... please help posted by Lana [1585.218] on March 30, 2004 at 11:43:02:
I think I would contact one of the vet schools..I don't know where you live, but there has to one close by..I live in New England and live about 2 1/2 hours away from Tuffs..I don't think your vet would mind and if he does too bad..Silver Fox!
In Reply to: Problem with dog..... please help posted by Lana [1585.218] on March 30, 2004 at 11:43:02:
It irks me that your vet didn't know what this was when a few minutes on Google unearthed a bunch of information. Apparently this affects Bearded Collies a lot, but other breeds as well. I thought it best to just link the search so you could follow the links that most interested you.
Again, good luck with you little one.
~~~8>
In Reply to: Problem with dog..... please help posted by Lana [1585.218] on March 30, 2004 at 11:43:02:
Thank you all so much for the info and thank you Labrat for posting that link. I printed out a lot of info and when I see the vet on saturday I will take it to him. It sure sounds like it is this Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy disease.
And for Vince, What I mean about the nail lifting over the quick is that the nail is a shell for the quick and now the nail is hollow with the inside (the quick) underneath. Hope that makes more sense.
I really appreciate all your responses. It definetly helps me a lot. Take care everyone.
Lana
In Reply to: Re: Problem with dog..... please help posted by Lana [1585.218] on March 30, 2004 at 18:26:39:
I think Vince is right on. We had a dog at the vet clinic a few years back that had the same problem. We declawed him like you would a cat, and the problem was solved. If I remember right it was a greyhound. Good luck
In Reply to: Problem with dog..... please help posted by Lana [1585.218] on March 30, 2004 at 11:43:02:
Hi, Lana.
POOR BABY!!!!!!!!!
This is a new one on me. My urgent recommendation would be to go to the Veterinarian Holistic archives for the "Whole Dog Journal" reference and find the world's experts in this area.
Let us know what you learn and how Littlebear does.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Problem with dog..... please help (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll [9.8] on March 31, 2004 at 06:23:48:
Hi Dr. Stoll,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am glad to hear you are doing better.
I will look into the info you gave me. Boy when I go see the vet on Saturday he sure is going to be shocked that I have done my homework thanks to everyone here.
I will definitely let you know how she is does. Thank you again...
Lana
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