Thursday 2 February 2017

Bertie's poorly paw

Gail here:

The photos above sum up Bertie's last couple of weeks. His problem with inter-digital cysts has flared up with a vengeance, and it has become increasingly clear that the root cause is an allergic response to we know not what. He is very reluctant to put any weight on the affected paw, and becomes (understandably) aggressive if I go anywhere near it.

The vet is on the case and has today prescribed some new medication (Apoquel). Googling this drug comes up with a lot of scary stuff, but just now Bertie is clearly in pain and thoroughly miserable too, so, with some reluctance, I have decided to go along with the vet's recommendation and give him a short course of these tablets in the hope of calming the inflammation. He has been on antibiotics and painkillers for twelve days, and although these may have done some good they have not resolved the underlying issue. It has reached the point where Bertie will scarcely walk at all. If I take him outside he just stands in the street looking bewildered and disorientated.

I so miss having my wee pal bouncing happily around the house, and hate to see him in distress. I hope to have something more positive to report before too long.

31 comments:

  1. Oh Bertie - That looks really sore. These unknown allergies are such a pain. Is it too early for what our local vet in Scotland used to call 'Berry Bugs' ?

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    1. There is no apparent pattern to the time of year when this problem flares up, although it seems to be worse in winter.

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    2. In the autumn our vet said it was probably leave mould causing Horatio's allergies. It continued so now they say it's the salting of the roads. If Bertie isn't walking outside though you would think that the external environment isn't the cause. Oh dear.

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  2. Poor Bertie, we are so sorry that you are suffering so much - that poorly paw looks very sore. You will just have to put your feet up and have a nice rest for a while. We hope that these new tablets will work.
    Perhaps you can give some thought to your next survey whilst you are resting?

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  3. Hari Om
    OMD Bertie lad, that looks nasty...POTP to you wee man!
    Gail; my heart goes out to you. All we can do at such times is rely on those with the 'expertise'... oh for a Dr Doolittle. A little POTP to you too. Hugs and wags YAM-aunty xxx

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  4. I'm so sorry that your paw is still out of order Bertie... and I hope so much that the Apoquel helps you to go back to 100% Bouncing Bertie soon. It's a good med and it is without the darned cortisone...

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  5. Hi Gail. Poor Bertie! That's awful this hasn't cleared up yet. Horatio has been on apoquel on and off for the last couple of months for his skin allergies. He was itching and scratching til he bled. Steroids worked but the side effects we bad, hence the apoquel. It is controlling the allergy with no obvious side effects although online there's quite a bit of debate re the drug. I'm considering allergy testing to try to identify the allergen although that's not always 100% accurate. Virtual hugs to Bertie!

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  6. Sending you POTP Bertie! We hope the new meds give you some relief quickly.

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  7. Oh sweet Bertie I'm so sorry about your paw. I pains me to think that you cannot carry on with your noraml activities. I sure do hope once the inflammation has decreased you can once again put your paw down comfortably.
    Kitty kisses and mom purrs that the Apoquel is a miracle drug. For sure you have to do what you have to do to feel like being Bouncy again.
    Madi your bff

    PS
    Gail I send you extra hugs as I know you worry about that handsome boy
    Cecilia

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  8. Bertie and Gail, we had similar problems with Gus, and kept Apoquel on hand for use when his allergy (s) flared. It usually helped in a couple of days, and then we would taper off and stop the use. Because it flared up in every area we live ed in while he was with us, we never found out what it was. But we controlled it. It did not control him

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  9. Our Bonnie used to be plagued by this. Epsom salt foot soaks and peroxide wipes helped ease the condition. Once we switched to a grain free single protein diet, including treats, the flare ups ceased. We found the best way to soak her foot was with a take away plastic cup. Narrow and deep. Both dogs get itches during high pollen season. They get damp towel wipe downs after walks and playing in the yard when the pollen count is high. Our vet said it was kicked off by allergies, which caused the initial licking and nibbling at the feet, then the hair follicles got clogged and the cysts appeared. Might not be true for BB.
    Pam, podiatrist to Bonnie n Kenzie

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    1. Thanks for this helpful advice - much appreciated. Cheers, Gail.

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  10. Oz has been using Apoquel for some time now to control his itchy allergies. He used to scratch so much, causing bald spots and skin infections. The medicine has helped a lot. I know there are scary things about it online; I was hesitant at first because of it but then realized that nothing else was working and I didn't want Oz to be miserable. I just keep a close eye on him when he is taking the medicinie.

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  11. Oh no, poor Bertie! So sad to see that painful paw and I do hope that medication helps. My peeps try to limit strong drugs when possible and use homeopathy to help us dogs (and them) with problems wherever they can. A homeopathic vet.is best to advise for individual dogs but Leigh used Hepar Sulph. 30c for healing Crybbe's abscess in the past (tipping one crushed tablet on his tongue twice a day for a few days and then Silicea to help it heal). We send hugs to you and Bertie and POTP to help him get better very soon. Nose licks and love from Moth xx

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  12. OH GOOD we see that someone Else has suggested this... Soaking in WARM Epsom Salt solution. It can't HURT and it is Cheap. The peroxide wouldn't hurt Either... but MAY bleach out the furs...
    POOR BERTIE... we are soooooo sorry that this has not gotten better, and that you are in such misery. We are sending you POTP.
    and some HUGS fur Miss Gail.

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  13. poor dear bertie and poor gail our dear departed Norbert had this once and it took awhile to mend best wishes

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  14. Apoquel worked for a week for us. After that it was useless. Hopefully it will work for you
    Lily & Edward

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  15. We hope the new meds work. Poor Bertie, he must be miserable not being able to Bounce and go for long walks.

    Hope can find out what the allergy is!

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  16. Poor Bertie, that sounds awful ! We send you tons of healing purrs. Purrs

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  17. Hope the new meds help and Bertie is bouncing again soon. POTP.

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  18. Bertie and Gail, this is unhappy news. I hope the new med does the trick and I'm definitely sending extra good healing wishes your way.

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  19. We're sending you lots of POTP, Bertie!

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  20. we hope you can get some relief Bertie
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

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  21. I was on that med Bertie! It didn't help my allergies much, so I stopped, butts it didn't do anything scary to me. The vettie said that it will either work really well, or it won't, and it should work within a few days and really help within a couple of weeks. I hope it helps you! that sucks as much as my ear infections! sendin' lots of POTP and healin' vibes!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  22. Oh my dear Bertie. It breaks my heart to see that you can't walk and you're in pain. I hope the new meds work.
    Id come lay around with ya but...
    Its a distance thing. Take care sweet Bertie

    Wags
    Addi

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  23. Oh Bertie, we sure hope the meds work. Arty has been on Apoquel for almost a year now with no side effects. Hang in there!!

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  24. Gail, I don't know what else the vet may have suggested, but as Bertie's poor paw seems to be related to allergies, have you thought of changing his food, or is he already on one of the anti-allergenic kibbles?

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    1. The vet has not suggested a change of diet, but is is something I might consider. At present he gets Burns lamb and rice kibble. So far, all the Apoquel has done is make him vomit...

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  25. Oh no, poor Bertie - it doesn't sound as though it's the right thing for him.
    Inca and I are sending big hugs to the poor little chap.
    Our much missed Petite-Chose had numerous allergies, and the vet recommended that we fed her on Hill's Food Sensitivities, which seemed to help.

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  26. Dear Gail, We are so so sorry to see Bertie's very poorly paw and can only imagine how much it hurts if he won't put any weight on it. Hoping the Apoquel helps, with love from South Florida, Joan and JH

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