Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Dakota has had this nasty looking nose for about a year-and-a-half. We've treated it a several times, but it doesn't go away. It waxes and wanes, and sometimes looks great. I was told it is probably lupus but the only way to know for sure is to biopsy it. Well, just as we were planning for that, his cancer became the overriding medical issue and the nose went on the back burner. Now, though, it's gross again and I want to deal with it. In the photo, it looks pretty bad. He gets stuff stuck in it and I have to clean it, which makes it open and bleed and makes him hide from me. Overall, cleaning it seems to make it worse.
He's had 2 rounds of antibiotics. The second round was in January-February, and he took a very heavy dose of cephalaxin for about 5 weeks. The nose improved in looks, but it still had a trench and looked very tender and almost raw and would bleed occasionally. The trench never healed. That told me Dakota had a secondary infection that cleared up but that the underlying issue would not be resolved with antibiotics.
I was told that the treatment for lupus is a drug whose name I can't remember, and the biopsy would show if that's what the problem is. However, I want to know why I have to put him through a biopsy. Can't we just treat it as if it's lupus and see what happens? If it clears up the nose, then it works so who cares if it's lupus or not? You know--if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
I hate to traumatize Dakota and my wallet if this can be fixed without traumatizing either. And certainly if he didn't respond to the meds I would pursue it. So, any opinions?
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
That does look like discoid lupus (DLE) but other types of autoimmune disease (such as pemphigus) can look similar. The advantage of the biopsy is that you will know for sure and you won't waste time or money treating the wrong thing.
If you really don't want to do the biopsy you could ask your vet about a trial treatment of tetracycline and niacinamide, since most cases of DLE will respond to this. You also need to use sunscreen (they do make some just for dogs) since solar exposure often causes flare-ups.
The other drugs that are used to treat autoimmune disease can have serious side effects so I would definitely do a biospy before trying those. These include high-dose prednisone, cyclosporine (Atopica), and azathioprine (Imuran). Side effects can include vomiting, diarrhea, bone marrow suppression, or even oral papillomas (warts in the mouth).
Pam
Thanks for the quick reply, Pam. It was the niacinamide I had heard about but couldn't remember. I didn't know that tetracycline was also part of the treatment. Does doggie sunscreen come from a veterinarian or from a pet supply place?
I may do the biopsy, but the sucker looks so incredibly painful I just can't imagine anyone taking a punch from it. I'll ask about doing a trial, I think, and see what my doctor says. Thanks again.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Yes, thank you Pam! Is something like this contagious, among dogs? And if so, how is it transferred?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ouch, poor Dakota!
There's some good information about diagnosis and treatment of lupus in dogs at VetInfo. Based on the info I read, I would be working with CSU (since you're nearby) to get it under control.
It's not contagious but it often appears when an event like cancer stresses the immune system.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Aww poor Dakota! Yes that is not very pretty looking... hopefully it gets under control with new meds!!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
DAKOTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's looks bad!!!! (and pretty gross!)
My Rugby was first thought to have Lupus. He had a something going on with his nose BUT GOOD GOLLY it didn't look like that!!!!
We did lab work on him to see. But it may be just as expensive to run labs.
Anyhoo! I hope Dakota gets his sniffer back in order and hopefully it's not painful!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Ya know Comet, it doesn't hurt unless someone (like my Woman) decides to try to clean it up. And it doesn't always look this bad. Sometimes it looks almost normal. Look at my profile picture--that was just a couple of months ago. My Woman tries to get it wet and soak off the gunk, but I can't stand anyone even trying to do that. She says I'm paranoid, whatever that means. All I know is if I even think she's going to touch it, I wet myself and hide! 
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Ouch and Double OUCH!!!!!
I think I would hide too - it looks like it hurts.....BAD 
Hope the new meds work!!!!
KaCee & Riley
Oh gosh Dakota! Your woman needs her hands tied (or a blindfold so she doesn't see it)!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Egads, Dakota! Your poor, poor snout. I'd like to say that it doesn't diminish your outward handsomeness but - um - it does.
I really really really hope it's not as painful as it looks. Ouchie.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
You can get doggy sunscreen at most pet stores. There is also a prescription ointment called tacrolimus (Protopic) that I have had good luck with but it is pricey. I usually only use it if the dog is not responding to oral meds.
Pam
My Aussie, Haley, has(had) what appeared to be DLE on her nose last July. The cobblestone was diappearing and had whitish/grayish spots and swollen appearance. It waxed and waned. Sun made it worse. I went to a holistic vet that treated her with chinese herbs for it and all is well so far this year. It cleared up pretty fast...within a month her nose was back to normal. But her nose never got as bad your pup's! I never did a biopsy on her nose but did do bloodwork for SLE(systemic lupus) as she was having some lameness issues as well.(shifting). The SLE test was negative.
My holistic vet suggested sunscreen as well(Dermatone maybe?) - I forget the name of the one I have used now as I haven't had to use it yet this summer but he also suggested using tattoo ink on her nose to make it 'black' and block her nose from sun. I never had to do that either.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Oh Dakota! My goodness that looks painful! I really hope you get some meds to help.
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
Forget the "poor Dakota"!!!!!!
What about poor Evelyn??????????!!!!!!!! She has to look at that crust covered thing and still try to keep her dinner down!!!!!!! It's like looking at crusty covered snot on the snout! I'm gagging just looking at it!
Do they do nose amputations? I vote for one! Bwahahahhahahaaahhhaaaaaaa!
-monkeybutt
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