Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:46:05 GMT

Thanks for asking. Had a long discussion with the owner and we are just sticking to on-off antibiotic, plus local cleansing and Cortavance on the thickened hock lesion.

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Fabian Kaelin — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:43:14 GMT

Hi Evelyn,

I was just wondering how your GSD was getting on in the meantime. Have you tried anything else and have you had any success?

Best regards

Fabian

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

David Scarff — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:54:47 GMT

GSD pyoderma was studied by Dr Wisselink some years ago, and did demostrate a likely genetic component (unsurprising really) together with an unexpected relationship with flea exposure. I am sure there is an immune component, with an underlying flaw in the presentation and response to bacterial antigens in the follicles. Lesions on the trunk seem more likely to respond to antibacterial therapy (high does antibiotics and whole body antiseptic washes) than perianal fistula cases, but some dogs are very resistant to treatment.

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:37:12 GMT

I'd agree - seems to work brilliantly for some, not at all for others. Can't tell why....

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Holly Lee — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:58:32 GMT

Off topic but have seen de-sensitisation work brilliantly in some atopic dogs and fail completely in others so I wouldn't write it off completely...

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:52:21 GMT

Yes, we can look further into hypersensitivity I guess......... but I am prejudiced 0against "immunotherapy'. Went into it once with an atopic West Highland White, very thoroughly, did the whole thing correctly as recommended, reached the conclusion it was a very expensive placebo.

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Fabian Kaelin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:09:08 GMT

What diet is the dog fed on? Guess you looked into that already, but could be a dietary problem if allergy testing etc all negative?

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

ashjhwells — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:23:24 GMT

Had you thought about allergy testing - york test etc. There could be an underlying hypersensetivity. Immunotherapy might be an option, I know it never seems to be 100% effecive on it's own, but that in conjunction with your long term ABs might do the trick.

I gather that house dust mite allergy is a lot more common than many of us give it credit for - perhaps treating the house with Indorex or similar might be worth a shot.

Also, I know in a lot of there pyoderma cases there is an underlying genetic defect in the barrier layers of the skin. There's evidence to suggest that this is the underlying cause of 'those itchy dogs'. Might it be worth supplementing EFAs? Viacutan or similar?

I find cases like this really frustrating, but I went on an allergic skin disease CPD last week given by a very respected dermatologist who was RCVS president for a couple of years and the above ideas are things he recommended - so I'm going to put them into practice and see how it goes...

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:57:33 GMT

Sure. But if you look at my original post you'll see we've done that. Cephorum at 30mg'kg bid for four months. Marbocyl at (whatever the heavy dose rate is..... can't remember right now) for four months. Antibiotics confirmed good choice by sensitivity testing. The point is the relapse after a short interval when the antibiotic finally ceases. Moreover, although I am not a dermatologist I am not entirely unfamiliar with pyoderma, furunculosis and GSDs and I can tell you there is more going on here than straight chronic bacterial infection

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Kevin Castle — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:12:06 GMT

The usual reason I see lack of response in these cases is because of either poor antibiotic choice or inadequate dosage. I like cephalexin at 30mg/kg bid several weeks or Convenia injection fortnightly until cleared.

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:05:00 GMT

Nope. Didn't work. Six weeks full dose Atopica, with antibiotic at first, plus Paxcutol: improved at first, then stuck with no further progress, now relapsed.

Client might consider referral to dermatologist if a) he thought it would make any difference, and b)if he wasn't emigrating, with dog, in April.

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:44:30 GMT

Thanks very much for that, I will let you know how things go.

Re: Pyoderma/furunculosis in a GSD

David Scarff — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:25:24 GMT

Hi Evelyn

This sounds like 'GSD pyoderma', an immune mediated relative of perianal fistula, albeit rather more responsive usually to antibiotic therapy (given a long enough course). A study of this condition recognised an inherited tendency, but from memory the only frequently found common factor was flea exposure!

My approach to this would include long term antibiotics (possibly to include pulse dosing once clinical resolution has been achieved) together with continued washes (have you tried Paxcutol?). Should lesions persist then you could try cyclosporine, assuming demodicosis has been thoroughly ruled out.

Best wishes and good luck!