Dermatomyositis

H

helen ruth

Forums Novice
I am a new member to this site and would like to chat with anyone who has had any shelties with Dermatomyositis.
I have a 9 year old sheltie " Doris" who has DM but so far I have not given her any treatment as i didnt want her on prednisolone as I thought the side effects were more of a problem than the DM itself !!
However in recent months it has become progressively worse and am thinking it may be time for treatment. My vet has never dealt with DM before and I would like to hear from anyone who currently treating their dog with either steroids or Trental and how much improvement has been seen.
 
We have a seven year-old sheltie named Sara with DM. She started losing hair on her face when she was one year-old, but the test for DM came back negative. The problem got worse through the years, and I took her to a dermatologist who had her biopsy sent to the University of PA lab that specialized in skin disease, and then she tested positive. I wasted time with her treatment because I relied on the accuracy of the first results.
She is now on Pentoxyfilline(Trental). This drug slows down the progression of the disease(There is no cure). Sara has had few "flare-ups" since we began the medication a year and a half ago. We also give her fish oil and Vitamin e.
 
There have been some members here with Shelties with DM. If you search you should be able to find the threads.
 
Welcome to the forum!

Please feel free to introduce yourself in the "Say Hello" section.

Here are some threads that we have on DM:
http://sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=6193&highlight=Dermatomyositis
http://sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=5547&highlight=Dermatomyositis
http://sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=5193&highlight=Dermatomyositis

Feel free to use the search button in the blue bar above and search dermatoyositis to find some more threads on the subject.

Again, welcome :biggrin2:
Danielle
 
Thank you for your help - i have read all the threads and it has helped me make a decision that I am going to try her on Trental - if my vet can get hold of it and see how things go:smile2:
 
Sheltie DM

My 3 year old sheltie, Dakota has had DM since she was 6 months. I started on vit e, pure alaskan salmon oil, organix dog food, ester-c and total boitics. She is left with a couple scars on her face but thank god no more new break outs. I read at the Texas A&M DM website and also talk to the vet that use to run that program. She told me to go to walmart and get vit-e lip balm to put on the scars. I found one made by Banana boat vit-e with sun screen in it. I think it is a good idea to start her on trental till it gets under control. You do know that they reccomend to not use the generic.

Wish you well,
Marla

helen ruth said:
Thank you for your help - i have read all the threads and it has helped me make a decision that I am going to try her on Trental - if my vet can get hold of it and see how things go:smile2:
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Just saw your post. I have a 3 year old sheltie, dakota. She was diagnosed with DM at 6 months old. Her dermatologist recommended while waiting for the test results to put her on 400IU of Vit-E. I also put her on Castor and Pollox Organixs dog food, ester-c, total biotics, pure salmon oil and organic applecider vinegar. She has her DM under control, only left with a couple of small scars. Dr Rees of Texas A&M in charge of the DM study recommened Vit-E lip balm for the scars. But, you really need to see a vet dermatologist. You might need to put her on Trental till it gets under control. Go to the DM website at Texas A&M. There is alot of good information there. Good luck, keep me posted.

Marla

helen ruth said:
I am a new member to this site and would like to chat with anyone who has had any shelties with Dermatomyositis.
I have a 9 year old sheltie " Doris" who has DM but so far I have not given her any treatment as i didnt want her on prednisolone as I thought the side effects were more of a problem than the DM itself !!
However in recent months it has become progressively worse and am thinking it may be time for treatment. My vet has never dealt with DM before and I would like to hear from anyone who currently treating their dog with either steroids or Trental and how much improvement has been seen.
Click to expand...
 
DM

It actually a human drug. All your vet has to do is write a rx and you can get it at the drug store. Make sure that is not generic. Dr Reed said the generic does not. Work as good.
helen ruth said:
Thank you for your help - i have read all the threads and it has helped me make a decision that I am going to try her on Trental - if my vet can get hold of it and see how things go:smile2:
Click to expand...
 
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