My Lovely Angel Luna

[SasAndYunah]

Yes, I know the Douxo line is great I didn't realise you have the Douxo spray as well.... I thought you had the Douxo shampoo and the Allerderm spot-on

And that's precisely it...staying on top of things through numerous meassures and you seem to be doing a more than great job with Luna...congrats, I know it's not always easy I have learned the hard way, trust me At times I was so tired and figured, I postpone her bath till tomorrow, what difference will one day make..? Boy, did I learn what the difference was

Have a nice bath-day

Sas

[labblab]

Well, spoke too soon cuz I just found a small new spot. It is really tiny, though, and overall the rest of her skin looks really good. So for now, I think we'll just keep plugging along. We can certainly live with this pattern so long as it doesn't really worsen. So we'll see as time goes on.

[Budsters Mom]

Oh Marianne, you are much more patient then I would be at this point. I would be demanding to know what that crap is, so I could erase it from the face of the earth! OK, a little too much drama there. I realize that it doesn't seem to be bothering Luna, which is a blessing, but it would be driving me crazy! I wouldn't be able to leave her alone, as I would be hovering and checking her all the time. She would be running for cover, I'm sure.

If my calculations are correct, these lesions have been appearing since January, about nine months now. They clear up with rounds of antibiotics, only to return a few weeks after going off of them. Although bathtime and lovely songs sound soothing, they haven't managed to eradicate the problem. Sooooo, what's next???

Please keep us posted. Sending big hugs to you and healing energy to Lovely Luna and Nurse Peg.

[Squirt's Mom]

I'm with Kathy - I would be screaming for THE answer and THE solution. Patience is not one of my very few virtues. I hate these spots keep coming back and I know the bathing and other work with her is tiring. You are a great mom and Luna is so lucky.

Hugs and belly rubs! (ya'll can decide who gets what. )

[labblab]

Hey Kathy, we do know exactly what the crap is -- it's overcolonization of antibiotic-sensitive staph. There is nothing especially sinister or exotic about the infection itself. The problem is with Luna's skin or immune system. There is nothing at all abnormal about her general appearance, behavior or labwork, which tends to rule out immune system issues caused by things like low thyroid, Cushing's, lupus, pemphigus, cancer, etc. So that leaves us with the most likely causation being allergies of some sort, either a hypersensitivity to staph itself or allergic reaction to something altogether different.

I believe the next step would be a skin biopsy. Obviously a biopsy would help identify any pathological changes to the skin tissue itself that is leaving it vulnerable. Apparently a hypersensitivity to staph also produces observable changes on biopsy. So why am I dragging my heels?

Overall, Luna's skin is looking much improved since starting this new regimen, and the active infection has lessened. If she does have staph hypersensitivity (or any other allergy for that matter) and we were to go through with all the testing and injection protocol, the end result might be no different than what we are looking at now. This level of control would actually be deemed treatment success in terms of staph hypersensitivity.

The vet says that if we biopsy in this situation (no specific growth or tumor), they would want to take samples from multiple sites including areas of historic active infection. She will have to be sedated, of course, and she will be left with multiple little incisions that have to heal. Of course this is not a huge deal, but I am not wanting to put her through this unless her condition worsens again. So that is why I am willing to be patient right now and watching what develops.

Probably part of my patience stems from a 40-year history of dealing with flaring/remitting skin issues with hubby and his mom . He inherited from her a genetic skin defect that results in periodic breakdowns of nasty, miserably uncomfortable lesions. It is rare so there will never be any research done and there is no known cure. All we can do is try to control the lesions with standard topicals. I have sat through so many fruitless dermatology appointments/biopsies/consultations that I could never count them all now. So rightly or wrongly, of course there is a tendency for me to project this same experience onto Luna. And I am such a pro at checking out skin and slapping on ointment that it is just second nature to me now. But truly, if her situation worsens again, I won't ignore things and we'll press onward.

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh I don't think any of us think you are dragging you heels or any such thing. No not at all! We just want this cured so you both have relief, physical, mental, and emotional. And just because we are used to something doesn't mean it should continue to visit us...tho that sure seems to be the way it goes, huh? Almost as if the Universe looks and says, "Oh that gal there knows all about this so let's give her another." We know you are doing all you can for your sweet girl - we just want her well so you don't have to do all that.

[labblab]

Well, you guys are being very kind because if I was reading this thread, I'd be thinking "Why doesn't the girl just get a d**n biopsy done already -- I'm tired of hearing about it!!"

[Budsters Mom]

Yep, that's how I got Rosie. Two allergy dogs in a row!!!

As Leslie said, we don't think you're dragging your heels. It's disheartening to see them continue to reoccur when you have been working so hard to eradicate the problem. If the lesions are caused by an allergy, (OMG!!! - Welcome to my world), you may never figure it out.

On the upside, It only one little spot. No big deal. You're on top of it, the lesions aren't bothering Luna and bathtime comes with a serenade.

Hang in there Marianne.
Hugs,

And just because we are used to something doesn't mean it should continue to visit us...tho that sure seems to be the way it goes, huh? Almost as if the Universe looks and says, "Oh that gal there knows all about this so let's give her another."

[Budsters Mom]

Not tired of hearing about this. NEVER!!

However, I will admit to thinking that a biopsy is overdue. Thanks for explaining why you are waiting to have it done.

Well, you guys are being very kind because if I was reading this thread, I'd be thinking "Why doesn't the girl just get a d**n biopsy done already -- I'm tired of hearing about it!!"

[SasAndYunah]

It has been over a month now....so time to let us know how that lovely Luna is doing I hope things are calm and uneventful,

Sas