It is 3 weeks since Karmel last visited the vet. Since then she has been on 1 megasolene tablet per day for 10 days, then half a megasolene tablet for 10 days. Karmel has continued in general good health - bright eyes, no skin problems, just 1 wart appearing on 1 foot, eager to walk the meadows with our other dogs.
We went back to the vet yesterday. There is still a slight problem with her feet (I can't see it!) and her skin is not as good as it can be (I think it's ok). I bow down to the far superior knowledge of my wonderful vet.
So, Karmel is now on 1 megasolene every other day. Her weight has increased by 1 kilo, not back up to her 33 kilos weight but at least she has put on some weight.
So long as she maintains her weight, at least, and the pemphigus foliaceous does not develope again, then I do not have to take her back to the vet for 2 months. Which is much better for Karmel and much better for my purse - as I do not have insurance on Karmel for vet's fees.
Interestingly, Beth has posted from America that her galga has been diagnosed with pemphigus foliaceous. I am hoping she will write and tell the history of her dog, the symptoms and the treatment. She has said her vet has prescribed Prednisone and cyclosporin. Prednisone is the same as megalosene, which assists the auto immune system fight the disease. Cyclosporin is an expensive treatment which, in France, is used on its own, and not in conjunction with other medication. Its advantage is, I am told by my vet, that it does not have side effects. Unfortunately, as I don't have pet insurance on Karmel, I cannot afford this treatment.
So I am very interested to hear from Beth about her dog and the treatment it receives, as a comparison with the treatment for Karmel. 2 different dogs, 2 different vets, 2 different countries. I think you will agree, an interesting comparison, and one which we can all learn from.
Fingers crossed for both dogs, that the disease is kept under control with the minimum side effects.
17/09
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