Dr. Nelson's Veterinary Blog: Recent Comments

Comment on Dog Allergies - Treatment With Cyclosporine (Atopica)

2010-03-11T23:56:36Z

One of the common side effects of cyclosporine is papillomatosis. The papillomas look like warts with a thick top that dries into a crust. I would guess your dog's crusty bumps are probably papillomas that should go away once the drug is stopped.

The problem walking or jumping is something I have not seen from cyclosporine or ketoconazole. I did a little research on this topic and found an article called "Neurotoxicity Of Cyclosporine". Since it is written in another language, either German or Polish, I cannot give you the Journal or authors except one named K. Ciechanowski. I am limited to the English summary that stated cyclosporine is a neurotoxin that may cause problems ranging from tremors to seizures, nothing mentioned about problems walking or jumping.  Novartis Animal Health (Atopica) states that the warning for seizures is a carry-over from the human field. There is nothing I could find that would explain the problems you describe.

Since both ketoconazole and cyclosporine are hard on the liver, I would recommend performing blood work to check for liver function. In my experience, dogs with liver disease experience weight loss, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia.  Perhaps the problems walking and jumping come from weakness. If the liver function deteriorates far enough, they might even seizure from a condition called hepatic encephalopathy.  I have had good luck treating liver problems with special diet and Sam-E.  I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but please contact your veterinarian immediately for further help.

Good luck with your dog and thanks for writing.

Comment on Dog Allergies - Treatment With Cyclosporine (Atopica)

2010-03-11T14:41:54Z

Our mini schnauzer was on cyclosporine and ketoconazole long term because she is an allergic dog. As time went on, she was acting like she was aging quickly. She was getting slower and she started getting crusty bumps all over her body. At first we thought it was just part of her allergies but then she couldn't even walk right or jump. We stopped giving her the drugs and within two weeks we were seeing a HUGE improvement. Her skin looks great and she is getting more pep. One thing she can't do is eat dry food kibble. It's like her stomach won't process it. It's better if we soak the food first but she does much better on canned food or chicken and rice. We are now working on trying to get a little more weight on her. I hope the drugs didn't permanently damage her insides.

Comment on Taming Feral Cats

2010-03-10T14:15:24Z

Poor Sam! Since he only has one eye, I would do everything possible to protect his remaining eye as well. Good luck!

Comment on Taming Feral Cats

2010-03-09T19:08:26Z

Dear Doctor:

Thank you so much for your response.

Sam lost one eye because of an untreated herpes, chlamydia, calici ??? infection that went untreated for 2 1/2 years. He also had a very high positive Bartonella test result. His good eye has a very good retina but some corneal ulcers. He will recieve just one daily application each of IDU and ABHC ointment for the next 2 weeks and then alternating daily treatment of each for 1 month.

I know the medication seems excessive but his doctor is a nationally known eye specialist whom I trust implicitly and I think he feels he'd rather treat aggresively to knock out the viruses/bacteria to avoid a relaspse.

Comment on Taming Feral Cats

2010-03-09T03:08:11Z

Thank you for adopting Sam and his sister Munchkin, and for writing me about this situation. Medicating feral cats while trying to tame them is difficult indeed. When you add a move into the mix, it creates an even more complicated, but not impossible situation. Here are some suggestions for you to consider.

First, I would recommend some sort of signal prior to medicating Sam. It could be a sound, something you wear or something you carry. My parrots Bongo and Ni are both rescued birds that needed a home. They hate being restrained. I catch them with a towel, never my bare hands so they have come to hate the towel-not me. When I enter the room with the towel, they start to scream and bite. When the towel is gone, they settle down immediately and ask for head scratches. The same principal of "hate the object, not the human" applies to cats. It will only take a few repetitions for Sam to figure out when he's getting medicated and when he's getting a treat. I would use a blanket or towel to catch Sam, medicate him and then leave the room with the towel. Wait a few minutes and then return with the sliced chicken.

Second, moving to the new location will set Sam back a little which is probably OK because it allows you to start the original protocol over again (do try and contain your enthusiasm at the prospect of starting over!) However, this time you will have the advantage of Sam knowing the "hate the object, not the human" rule. He should advance through the stages more quickly than the first time. Also, check out my blog on tips for introducing cats. In my experience, feral cats tame more quickly when they have a tame buddy to show them the ropes.

Lastly, don't feel guilty about moving him or leaving him in the safe room for 12 weeks. Cats have a completely different calender than we do. My cat Kalani was in his safe room for months before he allowed me to touch him. When I finally opened the door to let him explore, he stood in the doorway for a month before venturing down the hall. Be patient with Sam. Since he is a young cat, you have plenty of time to gain his trust. I am thrilled to share that as I write you now, Kalani is laying by my feet on the footstool so patience is rewarded.

I am curious what kind of eye problem Sam has that requires such extensive treatment. Please let me know. Also, you might want to place some toys in the room. My cats love to play with a piece of clothesline rope attached to a door handle. When Kalani was in the safe room, he loved to bat around a ball with a bell inside. Be creative and give Sam different things to enrich his environment. It will lift his spirits and help him exercise.

Comment on Taming Feral Cats

2010-03-06T23:29:39Z

Dear Dr. Nelson:
I've read this blog completely and could use your advice. Sam is a 2 1/2 year old now neutered feral male that has been captive in his safe room for 4 weeks. He has and requires daily eye medication for an additional 7 weeks, which has left me no choice but to touch him daily, which he has let me do-medicating him is not an issue but I fear the daily negative interaction although part of it includes handfeeding him sliced chicken breast which he enjoys. He allows occassional petting but he always greets with a hiss, does not play and is clearly depressed and morose. Also, it prevents me from letting him out of the bathroom to allow him to explore gradually because trying to pry him out of a hiding space is a disaster and his daily medication doesn't allow me to just leave him alone. Is there a substitute protocol I can use in this situation? He will have spent almost 12 weeks captive in the large bathroom AND then he has to be introduced to an entirely different and permanent (no going back to the safe room) level of the apartment building AND to Munchkin, his female littermate tamed at 12 weeks. This situation deviates from typical protocol and I am concerned and seek ideas.
Respectfully,
Steven

Comment on Perfume Your Cat - A Vet's Trick

2010-03-02T14:35:34Z

In my experience, it only works with cats that already know each other. Feliway seems to work better with new cat introductions.

Comment on Perfume Your Cat - A Vet's Trick

2010-02-28T19:05:14Z

Good idea.. I'll try it next time I have to bring a cat home from the vet. Wonder if it works for introducing a new cat to the family?

Comment on Dog Allergies - Shampoos, Rinses And Other Topical Treatments

2010-02-28T18:44:32Z

Again, lots of good information.

My dog's allergies though react badly to anything with colloidal oatmeal and for a long time I couldn't figure out why. Finally a vet told me it causes certain kinds of fungus to grow on the skin. Shihtzus and Pekingese (mine is a mix of both) can get this oily reaction to skin allergies and a bacteria/fungus can grow on the skin.
I was buying the prescription medicated shampoo but when was between jobs years ago, I couldn't afford it anymore.

So I found a cost-effective shampoo "cocktail" that works the same as the prescription shampoos.

Mix any over the counter dandruff shampoo that's main ingredient is Triclosan (such as Denorex) with an acne wash that has a main ingredient of sacylic acid (such as Clean N' Clear Acne Wash). Total cost is about $10.

Or you can mix the acne wash into a bottle of Sulfadine Medicated Shampoo for Dogs and Cats.

Wash your dog twice a week the first week, then once a week for several weeks and you should see the coat return to normal and the flaking and itching, and biting go away.

For Midgie it's a seasonal thing and usually occurs in the summer.

Comment on You Make The Diagnosis: Chihuahua Congenital Defects

2010-02-18T14:39:54Z

Yes, it applies to all the toy breeds. An open fontanelle is not considered abnormal until 9 weeks of age.