Pirate's latest issue... Update #18

[Glacier]

I finally talked to Pirate's vet this afternoon. Her thryoid result is normal, which is good, except that it doesn't explain why she's loosing her fur!


Candace doesn't think it's Cushings as she doesn't show any other typical signs. She thinks it's either an allergy or melatonin responsive. We discussed at length the pros and cons of going any further with allergy testing. I might get a bag of the hypo-allergenic food to try, but Pirate already eats a food that is free from the big allergens--no grain, no corn, ect. She does not respond well to changes in her diet. She's not itchy or scratching herself raw. If she gets worse or does get itchy, I'll get a skin biopsy done. Candace thinks she could do it with a local since we'd both rather not put Pirate under a general.


I'm thinking it's the melatonin. Candace said it's not terribly common, but does occur up here, especially in the huskies. They loose most of their coats in the summer, when there is way too much light and it comes back with the darkness in the fall. Pirate's coat was great all winter--thick, soft, shiny. It's only since it got sunny that she's been shedding excessively. Basically, it can't be treated. She might need some sunscreen on her skin if her fur gets very thin and she might need to stay indoors on extra warm days. The husky double coat insulates from heat as well as cold. We don't get many of hot days anyway and Pirate would have no objection to staying on her bed all day!


We are changing her meds a bit. I've noticed in the last couple weeks that she seems to be having some neurological symptoms. She's not always aware of where her back end is anymore; she trips over small rocks, tree roots ect in the yard and her balance sucks. Candace said normally she's recommend Prednisone, but Pirate is already on Metacam. The two can't be mixed and I don't want to mess with her pain control if I don't have to. So we are going to do a trial of gabapentin instead. It's a seizure med at higher doses, but also helps with chronic pain and nerve degeneration issues. Stuart's actually been prescribed it before for his chronic back pain! If it doesn't help, she'll go on the prednisone.

[cyber-sibes]

Getting old stinks, whether you're a human or a canine. At least you've ruled out some really nasty possibilities. Hugs to Pirate!

[cassiesmom]

Pirate girl, you look good and fluffy to me in this picture! Could you tell your mum I think her hair is a gorgeous color.

Hugs to you from me,
elyse

[Louie and me]

Loved your posts in Dog General about Pirates exploits with Sleet. I'm wondering how she is getting on with gabapentin. The mobility symptoms are very similar to Louie's and so far we have ruled out all the usual old age ailments including hypothyroidism. The vet thinks it is neurological and could be degenerative lumbosacral stenosis or a tumor of the spine. Cortisone is the recommended treatment but Louie too is on meloxicam. Acupuncture was also not recommended since this is neurological, so I am looking for alternatives.

[Glacier]

I'm wondering how she is getting on with gabapentin.

She's doing quite well. She takes 100mg once a day. I just toss it in with her kibble and she wolfs it down. Her bowl looks like a pharmacy!

It took a week to see any change. It hasn't been a miracle cure, but there has definately been improvement. She is steadier on her feet and seems more aware of where her back paws are most of the time. She still stumbles occasionally and sometimes drags one of her back legs, but she hasn't fallen right over in at least a week. I haven't seen any negative side effects--no GI upset, ect.

Pirate will never fool anyone into thinking she's a youngster again, but the meds do seem to be keeping her from getting any worse. I hope you find something that will help Louie too.

[Louie and me]

Thanks for the quick reply Glacier - I'm glad it is helping Pirate. I'll see if I can get my vet to prescribe some for Louie. It's certainly worth a try.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Give her a hug from me