Question For Those Familiar With Prednisone -UPDATE

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

So many of you know that we are fighting an autoimmune disease called Masticatory Myositis with Prednisone. Gracie Doodle has pretty much been on it since April 22 with a one month remission...or so we though!  Things just keep getting worse and worse from the side effects of the medication.  Gracie is losing her hair and now in the last few weeks has sores that become bloody cropping up on her heels and between her toes.  She was treated with an antibiotic for 3 weeks which sort of kept it a bay but when we stopped the medication it came raging back on all feet.  The doctor took a scraping last week and sent it to the lab to be cultured.  He looked in his microscope and saw "rods" instead of the round cells you usually see.  He said rods are not good because it is a different type of bacteria that is harder to fight and requires a specific type of antibiotic.  That is why the culture is being done.  They need to find an antibiotic to give her that will kill the bacteria.  He is confused because dogs are put ON Prednisone a lot when they have hot spots or skin allergies.  My Doodle is responding the wrong way...she should NOT be getting skin sores on her body!  Gracie's skin has always been perfect with not one hot spot or sore...100% healthy and perfect...until now!  Last night she was playing in the back yard with her "monsters".  DH throws them over the roof from the kitchen porch and she runs out and intercepts them on the lawn.  They do this all the time.  But this time she came in with a dripping bloody foot.  She had lost her toe nail on the outside back toe and all that is showing is a white pulpy looking stump!  WTD now?  There was blood all over the walk way from the lawn and then on my sea grass rug under the kitchen table.  I tried to clean it up but she was none too cooperative and I just needed to get the bleeding to stop. Finally I put a huge gauze pad on it and wrapped it with the stretch wrap.  Then I put one of her Muttluks on.  Today we washed her feet with an antibiotic shampoo and I then put one of my socks on and wrapped it to keep it on.  She wants to lick it but is also walking with her toes up in the air putting her weight on the back heel of her foot.  For the last couple of weeks her toe nails have been bleeding on the end because she is wearing them down to the quick from running for her tennis ball.  But this is an activity she has done every day of her life!  This leads me to think there is something wrong with the integrity of her nails and they are softening up because of the Prednisone. 

So my question is...if Prednisone can cause you to lose your hair then can it cause your "nails" (claws) to fall off?  I am only asking because both hair and nails are made of the same thing, therefore if it is attacking the hair might it also attack the integrity of the nail or nail bed?  Needless to say...Calling the Vet in the morning!  I am suppose to hear from him this week about her culture and go pick up her antibiotic.  I also am making a call to another vet to get a second opinion!  I don't know how much more this happy, sad, happy, sad girl can take (Gracie...me too!)  If she could only talk and tell me where she hurts and how she feels.  So sad :(

UPDATE

Today we got Gracie's culture back for the skin problems.  She has three types of bacterial infections going on in her body!  I am going to list them because I know of at least two of you who are going to give it some thought and research.

1.  Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

2.  Pseudomonas aeruginosa

3.  Methicillin resistant coagulase negative staph species

Organism #1 has an abundant growth , #2 has a Moderate growth and #3 has a Moderate growth.

The vet then had to look at the list of antibiotics that are resistant and ones that work and come up with one that will take care of all three.  Lucky for me...It is only $200 for a one month supply giving one tablet a day.  Zeniquin 100 mg.  I then asked what the side effects would be with THIS drug.  He said oh...maybe some diarrhea and upset stomach.  I just got her back to normal from a huge case of diarrhea.  All I know is that every time we add a new drug we get huge set backs and something else crops up!!

 

I did mention this Dr. Shelton who is at UCSD right here in San Diego who studies neuromuscular diseases one of which is Gracie's Masticatory Myositis.  She is the one who discovered the 2M Antibody Blood Test which we had ($400).   You can't e-mail her unless you are a Vet.  I asked my Vet if maybe he should try to contact her and he asked me why??  I just sort of went blank.  He said we know Gracie has it and we are treating it exactly as the protocol calls for.  It is the Prednisone we are having issues with.  So I guess that is out and he won't be contacting her.  Now that I have the culture results back I am ready to call another vet for a second opinion.  I wanted to have the most updated facts available to give him before making the appointment.  So I am off to make a phone call!  

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hi Lynda, yes we drove up August 1 with Gracie Doodle.  It was a quick trip and then we carravaned back down with the kids, Luna and the baby.  They stayed here a week which was so nice.  Eowyn is now 5 months old and is growing up so fast.  I manage to get up there once a month on Southwest for a few days.  My next visit is Sept. 17th.  John stays home with Gracie and also goes to work!  

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

No advice here, just prayers that Gracie gets better soon. Poor baby!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am so sorry. I want this nightmare to be over for you. So badly. I have tons of experience with Prednisone as a human and I am not sure how it carries over to a non human.

I know when I am on high doses of Prednisone I do lose clumps of hair. My nails are very thin and do not grow but I also have a severe vitamin deficiency so that could play into it.

Prednisone as you know, lowers the bodies ability to fight infections, All the bacteria I have in my lungs grows fast when I am on high doses of pred because I don't have an immune system to fight it off... The only thing I could think of with Gracie is she is just way more prone to infections she normally would not get because of that prednisone. Once she stops treatment things should improve as far as infections.. but of course as you well know, I am just making assumptions and don't really know for sure...

Sending lots of love..

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Thanks Jen.  It seems so wrong for me to be complaining about Gracie's problems when you certainly have your own which are far more serious and life threatening.  Plus you have been going through this most of your life.  I am always amazed at how upbeat you are and how you still are able to joke and laugh and share things with us as well as let US cry on YOUR shoulder!!  But, since I know how you feel about Little Jack I know you understand my feelings.  You are such a sweet person and thanks for the encouragement.  

[Jennifer and Jack]

It is by far easier to be the sick person then it is to watch someone you love suffer. No doubt or question about it....

One thing for sure our babies our are babies and the love for them is immeasurable. It is right for you to vent away you are not complaining you're here for us and vice versa....

When it comes to Jack I can't stand anything to be even slightly off so I can only imagine how you feel. That is why you havemy prayer sand love. I am waiting for the day you get your little girl back to herself. I honestly believe you will.....

Much love

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Thank you Jen...you are so sweet! hugs

[F, Calla & Luca]

Poor Gracie, I am sorry to hear about her troubles. I looked up the side effects of Prednisone and hair and skin changes are mentioned but not nails. But it makes sense that could be part of the problem. I certainly think you need to limit her time running on abrasive surfaces. Since Prednisone does cut down the inflammatory response I can see why Gracie may be getting infections. Rods are not necessarily worse bacteria than cocci like staph, some of which are very resistant to antibiotics. We read about those all the time. A second opinion is often a good idea.

Here is an expert in your area mentioned on the web:

Dr. Diane Shelton is an internist in CA whose lab does all the testing for myasthenia gravis, masticatory myositis and other neuromuscular disease. Her address: Comparative Neuromuscular Lab, Office of Vet Services, University of California, San Diego, Basic Science Bldg Rm 1057, La Jolla, CANNN-NN-NNNN
Her web site: http://medicine.ucsd.edu/vet_neuromuscular

This is where I found the mention of her.

http://www.justanswer.com/pet-dog/17u9b-10-days-ago-noticed-right-s...

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Sorry that things are so rough for Gracie Doodle right now.  Prednisone is truly a dual edged sword - it can be a blessing, but it can also wreak havoc on the body.  Sure hope you can find some help for Gracie soon!!!   

[Christine & Camus]

Nancie, I work at UCSD and have found that it is very difficult to get through to people via the telephone, however they usually respond to email. The address below is her official UCSD address and it is very important to include 0709 in the zip code because that is her mail code.

Dr. Shelton's email address is [e-mail]

G. Diane Shelton DVM, PhD

Professor, Department of Pathology

School of Medicine

University of California, San Diego

La Jolla, CA 92093-0709

Tel: [phone]

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

No information though I have myself been on prednisone for long periods in the past.  I lost a ton of weight (unlike most) and didn't sleep for weeks but have no idea in Gracie's case what is going on.  Second opinion is definitely in order soonest.  Just want to send you all my good wishes, positive thoughts and doodle hugs and kisses to Gracie.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Thank you Nicky.  I am just soo frustrated and want to make everything right!  I just wish she could talk to me and tell me how she feels and what would make her more comfortable and happy!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Way far above any experience I've ever had but just wanted to let you know we were thinking of you and hoping that you get some answers soon to get her feeling better!