...wee bit help..Wildmoor?

[gsdstewart]

...I have been thinking about the steroids that Sheba is on..this is her 3rd dose of presidone...she is on x2 5mg every other day at the moment...and I am currently just phoning to get a prescription..having read your quick post about getting a blood test after 3 months...I asked the vet and they said that she is not on a strong enough dosage for it to effect her...but I would rather that she didn't have to take them...however I am also wondering if the longer she takes them.. will the dosage increase, as she is becoming use to them?...as I have weaned her off them twice now and she has went back to scratching and getting more tabs..however I realise that it could also be the time of year and an enviromental allergen...she is currently eating anything and is gradually turning into a bit of a scavenger...and drinking more...this could be a bit of a problem long term..other than organ issues...just wondering if I should be trying to get a referral to a skin specialist?...are injections the better way to go...not sure...any feedback would be greatly appreciated..

[RainbowLass]

we have had huge problems with Rogue's skin, all i know is that with steroids like prednisolone you need to wean them off carefully or it can do damage. If thats what is working then i would stick with it for now, the increased appetite and thirst is normal for that medication and i would think that 2x5mg is working towards a maintenance dose.

We use witch hazel on Rogue's skin and it works wonders... she still needs the prednisololone for now but we are looking to wean her off once the vet says so.

I know how you feel however, i hate the idea that she is on medication and have looked all over for a homeopathic remedy but nothing has worked for Rogue as well as the steroids before we tried the witch hazel.
My advice would be to try that, but stay in consultation with the vet as to when and how you can take Sheba off the steroids.

[wildmoor]

Hi Mandy the blood works should be 6 monthly (did I put 3? if so soz meant 6) I wouldnt worry to much about long term outcomes a friend in Denmark her GSD was on them from age 2yrs he died at 10 yrs
I would consider having test for environmental allergans in particular dust mites
initially Alfe was on 25mg, then 12.5mg, then 7.5, then 5mg daily eventualy he was on 5mg every other day then every 3rd day which he was maintained on the ingrease in thirst and urination will degrease has his body adjusts to the steriods - do not stop them with a reducing regime as it can result in addisons crisis

[gsdstewart]

..Thanks for getting back..much appreciated...currently waiting on insurance claims coming back before the allergy tests...have only weaned Sheba off tabs on instruction from Vet , as aware of the danger...but feel allergy is enviromental, as its only her legs that seem to be effected...but feel that the Vets are reluctant to go down the allergy testing route as they said it's like a needle in a haystack!...

[wildmoor]

When Alfe was having his problems my vet was lucky to have a locum that specialised in dermatology and was aware of current reasearch for Alfe they did punch biopsies and used the axiom slides and did an intial outdoor & an indoor panel that then gave them what they could exclude ie in Alfes case the outdoor allergans, it also ruled out most indoor allergans a second panel was done and that how we found out he was allergic to dust mites

[gsdstewart]

Originally Posted by wildmoor

When Alfe was having his problems my vet was lucky to have a locum that specialised in dermatology and was aware of current reasearch for Alfe they did punch biopsies and used the axiom slides and did an intial outdoor & an indoor panel that then gave them what they could exclude ie in Alfes case the outdoor allergans, it also ruled out most indoor allergans a second panel was done and that how we found out he was allergic to dust mites

...I have been told that a skin specialist is in Edinburgh, do you think that it is worth the testing?..if they are prescribed the same drugs down the line??

[wildmoor]

yes I do because she may be allergic to something you can avoid - then she wont require medication

[gsdstewart]

Originally Posted by wildmoor

yes I do because she may be allergic to something you can avoid - then she wont require medication

...thanks...you must think that I am right thicko..will be back at vets in New Year will keep at them...thanks alot for your help...Have a Happy Xmas and Guid New Year

[littlebear]

Hi Mandy,

Just read your posts about Sheba and her skin problems.I have also got one of my dogs that like Alfie has allergies to dust mites.She also has hypothyroidism.My vet wouldn't take thyroid tests when my girl was on her steroids.I had to wean her off them slowly then have the tests done.Because she gets regular check ups and has flare ups on her skin she occasionally is treated with a steroid spray.I have to make sure that the spray is not used when i know she has tests coming up.She was also on Piriton tablets and eventually they stopped working.I found on-line a human prescription for allergies and asked the vet if they used them ,which they would and started giving her them.They helped really well and she finally was able to sleep all through the night without scratching.My bitch has got immune problems and hypothyroidism and i was told that she would be an extremely hard case to treat .But i wasnt prepared to give up just because i was told this and although she will never be free of these problems i have at least managed to get give her some quality of life back.
The dick vets are excellent and i got there with the help of wonderful people ,who where quite happy and willing to fight for my dog as much as i was.So yeah get her there ,you will get alot of answers

Susie

[wildmoor]

Hi Susie is there any common ancestors with your dog and my Alfie
I also wondered thinking back if Alfie had a problem with his pituitary gland has he had small testes - which can be linked has this affects not only growth but sex hormones