Erny Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 (edited) Mandela's skin woes began at around the age of 7 months (saying that without checking) when the inside of his ear flaps flared red, hot and painful. As the flaring settled, I saw the red pin prick looking dots of the skin rash. These resided, save for one (in particular) pin dot at one of his ear tips. This grew to a pimple and over time, despite trying my best to treat it (with and without Veterinary assistance) it became a larger, open wound which refused to heal. Around 15 months later (at which time I'm still trying to manage the ear tip wound) Mandela is diagnosed as having hypothyroidism. I begin him on thyroid medication. Within 2 weeks, his ear tip wound heals, leaving only a patch of thickened albeit healthy enough looking skin. Side note : Also at the time of his ear tip wound, his ear tip on the other ear threatens the same plight. Has a patch of thickened darker skin with no hair on it but hasn't YET opened up as a wound. Also easily breaks open his tail when he whacks it on my walls. This also resolved in the couple of weeks after thyroid medication commenced. More recent times, the ear tip wound has re-opened. Mandela's tail is now opening up more easily, again. This coincided with me adding a small amount of 'other' food to his daily Z/D meals. The Vet who is working with me on this is considering "Idiopathic Ear Margin Vasculitis" as the diagnosis. So, in all of this we are both considering there could be a link between this "Idiopathic Ear Margin Vasculitis" and food intolerances/toxin build-up, and also potentially to hypothyroidism. Well, it is at least a very interesting concept. I'm 'on it' (so to speak) and have enquiries pending before we try for some treatment, but I wondered whether there was anyone here who has experienced this condition; what the treatment was; and what the results were. Breeds predisposed to this condition are listed as including Dachshunds; Chihuahuas; Boxers; and Jack Russells. Apparently Ridgebacks are now seen as a breed also predisposed. Edited May 27, 2011 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 Ok - done a bit more reading (not a lot on it, it seems). Ridgeback site suggests hypothyroidism and/or allergy are links to the condition. But I'd like to know more if anyone out there can tell me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniek Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Erny - have you ever thought of having hair analysis done for Mandela. I'm not sure if it was discussed on your other (long)thread but I have been reading up on it, and a few greyhound trainers are really getting into it - which please me, because they are using herbal remedies on the greys rather than chemicals. Annie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 (edited) I did a hair analysis on him ages ago. Not necessarily for this Ear Vesticulosis thing, but for when he was throwing hives/skin eruptions. Edited May 27, 2011 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridgiemum Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 No real help but my previous ridgeback had allergies & ear problems (had 2 ear ablations), it turns out it was genetics, most of the litter had the same problems. :( I hope some thing works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to Emma Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 (edited) My whippet was diagnosed with ear tip vasculitis when she was 2. She had been developing sores on the tips of her ears that would scab but never heal, and would open and bleed when she shook her head. After at least half a dozen trips to my very experienced vet (who suggested all sorts of solutions such as cortisone cream and even surgery to remove the ear tips), I went to a specialist dermatologist who immediately diagnosed the vasculitis and prescribed Trental. Trental is a blood viscocity agent that improves circulation to the micro vessels such as you find in the ear tips. It's a "human" medication used for intermittent claudication. He said they're not 100% sure what causes it, but one hypothesis is over-vaccination of puppies. The micro blood vessels block when the immune systems responds to the vaccination, and they scar and cut off circulation, with poor healing the result. Considering the fact that my dog is very sensitive to a lot of medications, I suspect this scenario applied to her. Indeed, the specialist suggested I not give her C5 vaccinations, only C3 incase the former was overloading her immune system. The Trental controlled the situation for several years until I had to take her off the medication before dental surgery (Trusopt can exacerbate bleeding). I decided to try her off it as the specialist had mentioned another dog who had had to come off medication and that the symptoms had not recurred. Emma did have a bit of a relapse the following winter, but 12 months later the sores healed and never recurred. That was over 5 years ago. Fortunately, this is the only skin condition my whippet has suffered, although she has lost a lot of hair on the upper surface of her tail. Edited May 27, 2011 by Mum to Emma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staranais Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Poor Mandela. He really keeps you on your toes, doesn't he? All I know about this is that it's supposed to be caused by a type 3 immune reaction - antibodies bind to an antigen forming immune complexes which lodge in the little blood vessels causing vasculitis. I've heard it can be linked to vaccination, but also to lots of other drugs, bacteria, viruses & associated with other types of allergy. You've probably discovered all that already in your research though. Interesting that it seems to coincide with introducing non-z/d food to his diet. I wonder if that was the trigger. Please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share Posted May 28, 2011 (edited) Thank you for your responses - it is interesting to hear of your thoughts, opinions and experiences. Mandela had the puppy vaccinations (2) but nothing afterwards. No spot-ons, wormers or other drugs (save for thyroxine which actually seemed to solve the ear tip problem, but it has recurred, as mentioned. So I doubt that drugs/vaccines are the problem. I emailed Dr Jean Dodds and, bless her soul, she promptly emailed me back (even though she is working through Italy at the moment - she is such a nice, helpful and dedicated person). Anyway, in short she has told me that dogs with IBD/Leaky Gut are generally most allergic/reactive to beef. I did figure that one out (at least for my boy) and it goes without saying that I ceased feeding it at least 2+ weeks ago. (I realise I didn't explain this in the first post : I began to add a little cooked beef mince to Mandela's Z/D. More to taste than anything else, although partly to experiment. More to this story but irrelevant here.) She's told me I could try vitamin E oil or coconut oil on the ear tip, and to sprinkle some Turmeric and Oregano on his food, and to add blueberries. Also to add Vitamin E and Vitamin C (has given me dosages for each) daily. Has also confirmed I can try treating with Topical Tacrolimus, which my Vet made the suggestion of (because it is not a systemic cortisone). First chance to dash to my local Health Food Store (need to rename it as "Mandela's Health Store" :rolleyes:, but it was closed. Will get to trying out the above and will let you know how I go with it. I welcome my current Vet's willingness to give this thought and help me with it - in the past, a couple of the Vets I've shown it to in the distant past didn't seem too committed, didn't know and basically shrugged it off. Edited May 28, 2011 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share Posted May 28, 2011 Poor Mandela. He really keeps you on your toes, doesn't he? Although I'd rather his health to not be compromised, the silver lining in this event is that it is at least helping to keep me distracted. If I can get on top of it fairly quickly I'll be happy though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Poor Mandela, that sounds painful. Erny, why Turmeric, Oregano and blueberries? What are the benefits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share Posted May 28, 2011 (edited) Good question, SecretKei and I didn't worry about writing back to Dr Jean to ask. Firstly because I do trust her advice; secondly because she's actually on a working holiday and was good enough to respond to me within 24 hours all the same (and I don't want to bother her more than I need to) and thirdly because somewhere sometime in the not too distant past I've read up about these things and the good qualities they can provide to our dogs (and for that matter, us). I believe the Blueberries are good as antioxidants and the Tumeric is good for arthritis and also for clearing skin issues. Might be more to it but these are the bits I remember. Not sure what the Oregano does. Edited May 28, 2011 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 My allergy dog gets sores on his one ear tip - i keep him off all the foods he is allergic too but it still flares up now and then, he has had it twice this year already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xena98 Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Hi my friends Dallie had that on his ear and she had been to the vet did the diet thing spent an arm and leg and she sort of found out by accident. Her dogs are fed raw but she ended up in hospital (quite awhile) and hubby didnt have time to do raw feed so he just got the cheap dog biscuits I think it was pedigree bikkies it had fixed it up they didnt notice it at the time but when it happened again they had been talking about it and realized that he didnt get it (apparantly once a year around the same time)so around august september he get his hungry jacks (cheap food) I did give her some advance and they dont work just the cheapy food dont know if that helped or not but this is what happened with her dog and they have kept it under control for 6 years and he hasnt had an attack cause the first sign it would be HJ for awhile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 Good question, SecretKei and I didn't worry about writing back to Dr Jean to ask. Firstly because I do trust her advice; secondly because she's actually on a working holiday and was good enough to respond to me within 24 hours all the same (and I don't want to bother her more than I need to) and thirdly because somewhere sometime in the not too distant past I've read up about these things and the good qualities they can provide to our dogs (and for that matter, us). I believe the Blueberries are good as antioxidants and the Tumeric is good for arthritis and also for clearing skin issues. Might be more to it but these are the bits I remember. Not sure what the Oregano does. Thanks Erny, sounds like they work the same way in dogs as they do in humans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordogs Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 May I ask how long it has been since you check his Thyroid levels? He may require a higher dose of Oroxine. The reason I ask is because I have Hypothyriodism and my levels can change over time so I require regular testing every 12 months (sometimes sooner) and I can also tell if the levels are too low or high by the condition of my skin and hair especially my eyebrows and lashes because the hair falls out and my eyebrows disappear. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 29, 2011 Author Share Posted May 29, 2011 (edited) May I ask how long it has been since you check his Thyroid levels? He may require a higher dose of Oroxine.] Last checked in March 2011. I had the same thought, Fordogs, and put it to Dr Jean Dodds. Although I knew this myself, she confirmed that it is very unlikely thyroid levels would have dropped so fast. The reason I ask is because I have Hypothyriodism and my levels can change over time so I require regular testing every 12 months (sometimes sooner) and I can also tell if the levels are too low or high by the condition of my skin and hair especially my eyebrows and lashes because the hair falls out and my eyebrows disappear. I am hypothyroid as well and I know what you mean. Just a thought. And a very good one .... two minds think alike :D. ETA: I think, in Mandela's case, the condition relates to food intolerance. I've started with the Vitamin E and Turmeric and need to source the other stuff from the Health Food Store tomorrow. Blueberries? They're expensive, aren't they? Typical :rolleyes: . Edited May 29, 2011 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 Blueberries? They're expensive, aren't they? Typical :rolleyes: . Fresh are. A big box of snap frozen blueberries might work out cheaper though ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 29, 2011 Author Share Posted May 29, 2011 Oooh .... good. They come in frozen? That suits me :D. Shall (re)visit my local supermarket as well as the health food store, tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 (edited) Right next to the icecream Erny ;) Edited May 29, 2011 by SecretKei Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lab_Rat Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 As usual Erny, your post has me very interested!! Makes me want to delve further into Zolas allergy problems. Just had a quick look at the properties of Turmeric.....What a great spice!!! Apart from a zillion other things, it is used to heal wounds and damaged skin as well as treating psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions! I believe curcumin is the active ingredient in Turmeric. I would be interested to know which Ridgeback site you were referring to earlier Erny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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