Really worried about Millie! :(

Hello everyone, some of you might remember a while back, Millie had really sore feet. She had blisters that burst and bled. Well they healed up, but it happened again, and they never seem to go away completely, it's like she's ok if I rest her, but as soon as she walks anywhere, they get sore again, and if she runs, and causes friction, the blisters burst and bleed. We took her back to the vets today, as I am too scared to even walk her! She was very concerned, and now doesn't think it's anything that's aggravated her feet, she's now thinking she might have an auto immune disease. The vet said she needed to look in her dermatology book, and speak with her colleagues, she's taken photos of her feet, and she said she'd ring me back this afternoon, but I've not heard back yet. She has prescribed steroid tablets, and said she needs 3 a day. She said they'll probably want her to go in for the day and have tests done. I'm so worried! When I was younger, we lost our Jack Russell to the auto immune disease which her own blood cells attacked themselves, she was only 4. Obviously if Millie has it, it's the skin sort, not the blood one. I don't really know a great deal about the skin one, can they only give steroids to help? xxx

If it is Pemphigus (skin autoimmune disease), there are a few things you could do to help.

One is to avoid excessive sun exposure, so you could try rubbing coconut oil, which offers mild SPF protection, onto the paws before walks in hot weather.

Steroids probably won't be offered for long-term treatment, as this is usually just until it is under control. There are specific treatments available for Pemphigus. Regular check ups might be necessary at the vets, until the condition goes into remission.

Try not to worry; it might be something very easy to manage!

Hope she feels better soon!

These days lots of things that meant a death sentence years ago can be managed much better with diet and medication.
Fingers crossed for Millie and big hugs for you!

Thank you, her tablets are Prednidale and they are 5 ml, and she needs 15 ml a day split. She said I could give her 1 at night, and 2 in the mornings. The vet said she needs to speak to another vet about Millie, and he's not in until Tuesday, so she will ring me Tuesday. xxx

That's worrying news, no wonder you are feeling scared Amber. But you do have some upbeat information from our knowledgeable members which has hopefully reassured you.

Kuchar and I wish you all the luck in the world in conquering this distressing condition - do keep us informed as we all have our fingers and paws crossed for Millie            

Thank you so much. I still don't know for sure what it is, she needs tests, but it's so scary! xxx

Yes of course it's scary and our thoughts are with you whilst you wait for the tests, and the results.

I wish I were more knowledgeable so that I could help. Would padded socks taped onto her paws help so that Millie can at least walk in relative comfort and maybe stop her from chewing and licking at her poor little feet?

The odd thing is that she doesn't seem bothered in the slightest about her feet, she doesn't lick or chew them, she doesn't limp when they're bad! Not sure if she's just as hard as nails, or hiding her pain well! I had wondered if I could get her little sock things, but sure she'd pull them off! xxx

I've just remembered that my first Dobie Zeta had interdigital cysts. They were lumps between the toes, but I don't recall that they bothered her in any way and certainly didn't bleed, but I had them removed. When my second Dobie Rio got one I had learned from somewhere that they resolve on their own so didn't get it removed, and in time it went away.

Just a thought, and probably not useful but I float it anyway.

Hmmm they don't quite sound the same. Millie's ones feel squishy like they're full of water, until they burst and then look like bleeding ulcers.

No, they don't seem the same. Sorry   

Stick with it and see what the tests result in, when you know what you're dealing with that's half the battle.

  

Thank you Lynda, at least she seems well in herself bless her. xxx

Poor Millie   that would be worrying and it would put me off walking her as well, even though it doesn't seem to bother her. I thought the same as Linda when I read it about little shoes or socks to protect her feet. Hopefully the other vet will be able to help, once you know what it is and what you can do it takes some of the worry away.

I so can't imagine Millie with boots on though! She'd pull them off and eat them!!! Yeah, I'm annoyed I have to wait, coz I'm impatient lol! Poor Mills. xxx

Haha, my Millie would be the same, that's if you could get them on her feet to start with.

Fingers crossed for Tuesday!

You might want to consider buying some coconut oil, even before she's been diagnosed, as it definitely doesn't do any harm. Very often, feeding a teaspoon of coconut oil with a dog's dinner can help to stabilise medical conditions, particularly with the skin. It also has incredible antibacterial properties!

Ha ha, yep!

Hope she's feeling better

Thank you, her feet are still a bit sore, but the swelling of the blisters has definitely gone down, so the steroids must be doing something! I will get some coconut oil, thank you. xxx

Poor Millie

Glad she's doing a little better!

By the way, with the coconut oil, it's best to get cold-pressed, extra virgin coconut oil. It's purer and more beneficial!

Thank you, and thanks for the coconut oil tip. xxx

No problem!

Mills is booked in for this Friday to be sedated, and to have biopsies of her blisters. She's not allowed any food after 6 Thursday. The vet thinks that as the steroids improved her feet, that it is probably an auto immune disorder. She said if she does have it, her feet will need to be managed with steroids and immune mediating drugs. She said ideally, she would like her feet to have the blisters, but not for them to burst! So I am going to have to allow her to run around a bit, but keep checking to make sure they aren't getting overly bad! xxx

Oh, no. You must be so worried!

Good luck for friday & let us know how she gets on.