Vasculitis and Ollie

[twalla]

I have been having issues with Ollie since about the beginning of April / end of March.

Here is a link to some pictures.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=3e9746a0a1


We have seen a dermatologist that diagnosed with vasculitis based on the ears alone. Ollie does not have a food allergy and has not had any vaccinations since August 2012.

He has had a hearty appetite. Prior to the pentoxifylli he has been on antibiotics baytril and steroids, none of which worked.

We have to take pentoxifylli for at least 30 days. It has been one week and I am not seeing any improvement, they are turning white.

His demeanor has changed. He has good days and bad days. The days where he does not want anyone to love him or a stranger touch him are the days that make me worry the most because he loves everyone and wants that loving.

Ive been reading the other threads and it seems so different for everyone. Did anyone else's areas turn white?

[Maximo]

Poor Ollie. I'm sorry I don't have any knowledge or advice to share, but I wanted to send your little guy best wishes for him to heal soon.

[Lisa and Pic]

I am so sorry to hear about your little Ollie.

The timing... I know Piccolo had a delay between her vaccines and the cutaneous vasculits showing up. I think the delay was at least 5 months, by-the-way.

Piccolo was also very lathargic, until she started taking her medicine. It has been about 5 years since the original diagnosis, and she is back to normal behavior wise. Hope your little guy gets back to his fun loving personality soon.

I am not sure what you mean by white spots. Do you mean he has scabs in his ears that are turning white? I do remember Piccolo's scabs in her ears turning white and black. Now she has scars (nothing raised) and they are black. Also want to add that it took a long time for things to start healing. It felt like forever at the time.

[twalla]

The scabs that were black are turning white and new white ones are showing up

Did the link show up with pics? I'm using mobile version and not seeing it.

thanks

[ladyjane]

The one I had only had it on his ears. They did not turn white.

My son's dog still has white spots with hair loss in the areas that were affected. She is a red colored dachshund. She had it a few years ago.

[ladyjane]

I have heard that sometimes the pentoxifylline does not work and they need prednisone; but some don't believe in using the steroids. Both pups I mentioned were only on prednisone for 3-4 weeks. If you continue to have issues and have not seen a vet dermatologist, you might want to do that.

[jadabug]

I don't have any knowledge to give. But sending prayers that Ollie will start feeling better and get back his loving personality. Glad to see you back,but wish it was under a different circumstance.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by twalla

The scabs that were black are turning white and new white ones are showing up

Did the link show up with pics? I'm using mobile version and not seeing it.

thanks

Yes, the pictures are showing up.

I do remember with Piccolo, the lesions started showing up on her skin rapidly and they could be odd looking. She had it on her back, paws, ears, and "elbows." The pentoxyphilline alone did not work for her, so she was on both that and predinsone for a very long time, maybe 6 or 7 months. (It appears that that was a long time compared to other pups on YT, perhaps because it took so long to get diagnosed.) I do believe that the lesions can look very different on each dog.

Glad to read that you are taking Ollie to a vet dermatologist.

[Jenna AK]

Jenna was diagnosed with canine vasculitis in March. She mostly had an inflamed rash that seemed at first to be an allergic food reaction. She got to the point where she was having trouble breathing and her heart was beating at a very high rate. She never really developed any lesions, some mild pocking on her ears, but the vet had recognized it within a week of her taking ill, so my guess is we hit it with the meds quickly and prevented the lesions.
She had to be on the pentoxifylline for a whole month to assure complete healing. She could not take steroids (Medrol, if I remember correctly) as they had already used them and these caused her to have some very bad vomiting episodes, that left her dangerously dehydrated. She wound up staying in hospital for 4 days after that. However I find lots of dogs use them with no problem. Jenna just seems to be especially sensitive to many medications.
I hope Ollie will be feeling much better soon.

[twalla]

Ollie is not any better. Here are updated pics.

If you know anyone that might know anything or experienced something like this.... can you share???
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=3e9746a0a1

[ladyjane]

Has the specialist tried steroids?

[twalla]

The dermatologist has not. He was on steroids and it made no difference with the regular vet. He's just on the phanto... and Benadryl for the scratching.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by twalla

The dermatologist has not. He was on steroids and it made no difference with the regular vet. He's just on the phanto... and Benadryl for the scratching.

It takes a while to see improvement in these pups...and I know from personal experience that prednisone must be given for a few weeks.

What is the dermatologist saying about this?

[twalla]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

It takes a while to see improvement in these pups...and I know from personal experience that prednisone must be given for a few weeks.

What is the dermatologist saying about this?

She's only seen the pictures since we started the medicine. It's about hour from me and about $115 for just a visit.

This message is from last week-
We talked in depth regarding "Ollie" and the progress, or lack thereof, we have seen. Since it has been only two weeks, Dr would like to give the medication more time to work. She is not concerned yet about the progress, or lack thereof, and feels more time will tell.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by twalla

She's only seen the pictures since we started the medicine. It's about hour from me and about $115 for just a visit.

This message is from last week-
We talked in depth regarding "Ollie" and the progress, or lack thereof, we have seen. Since it has been only two weeks, Dr would like to give the medication more time to work. She is not concerned yet about the progress, or lack thereof, and feels more time will tell.

I think that sounds reasonable...I realize how frustrating it must be but it does take time for the meds to work and I imagine since it has progressed so far it may take longer. The two I dealt with were caught at an earlier stage as my vet is very familiar with this condition. As I recall, I did not see improvement probably for close to two weeks....but I will say that once on the prednisone, it stopped progressing. I know that Lisa and Pic had some delay in diagnosis so she may be able to give you a bit more feedback on the length of time in it clearing.