Losing claws

[flitz@blitz]

My dog has lost all his claws, one by one, it was excruiatingly painful for him, the vet is telling me that his immune system is rejecting his nails, but I don't want to believe that there is nothing I can do and that it will recur for the rest of his life. I'm told that it isn't a fungal infection, but is it?

[A_Bloodaxe]

This is an autoimmune disease called Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy. While it is a lifelong disease, it is certainly not true that there is nothing you can do. I run an SLO Yahoo Group where the vast majority of the more than 700 affected dogs represented have their condition either well-controlled or in full remission on treatment. My own SLO dog has been in remission for years and is perfectly happy.

SLO basics and information about the Yahoo Group can be found on my SLO Webpage. If you join the group, you will find lots of information and support. The best place to start would be in the 'Files' section of the Group where you will find the SLO FAQ. This details diagnosis, treatment, dosages and so on, and can be printed out to take to your vet..

Cheers,

Andromeda Bloodaxe

[flitz@blitz]

Thanks for that, I've been treating him with Equine Americas "Fungatrol" on his paws at night, and giving him live yoghurt in the morning, plus the vet stuff of EFA capsules, and his manky quicks have healed and he's not in any pain, he doesn't like rough ground so if he was a working sheepdog his career would be over, but the main thing is he's comfortable.