It’s been some time since I’ve posted here but in that time I’ve heard from so many people fighting this disease, some full of promise and some letting their beloved pets go. It’s terrible to lose these sweet babies, especially when they’ve fought so hard and we’ve been there beside them.
I hate this disease and what it does, I only hope this blog continues to help those seeking information or just a kind word when they need it.
I’ve gone through my own struggles lately with my remaining Boxer, Pixie. She had a splenectomy back in April due to a hemangiosarcoma in her spleen. They gave her 3-6 months to live without chemo and that’s the route we chose considering she was already 11 years old, we figured we’d have the surgery and let fate carry her where it would. She’s laying on the floor beside me as I type this. I’m grateful for whatever remaining time I get. I always joke about my million dollar dogs but the truth is I wouldn’t have it any other way, the universe gave them to me for a reason and that reason is I love them unconditionally and through all things.
I just wanted to post and say, I’m still here, I’m still listening to all of your stories and often I think of your dogs and their stories that you’ve shared. They all have a little space on my heart. One day I hope I can do more to help, have the time to start a foundation for research perhaps or at a minimum push for more awareness and earlier diagnosis.
Keep loving your pups!
canine pemphigus foliaceus 
My dog, Rocko, was diagnosed with phemphigus foliaceus when he was 12 years old. Fortunately he had a wonderful veterinarian who was able to get the disease stabilized. Rocky passed away almost 2 years ago (6 weeks shy of his 16th birthday). It is an awful disease and I sympathize with all animals and people who have the misfortune of having this disease.
I’m struggling to type this because I am crying so hard. My dog was diagnosed 6 months ago finally after seeing 6 vets. He officially went into remission just over a month ago. Last week, the day before we went in for a check up he started to refuse food and developed a couple new blisters. Doc confirmed he relapsed. My concern now he is refusing to eat and drink, no matter what. I have taken him to the hospital and they sent him home on SQ IV fluids. I am so scared. I don’t know if it is time to give up. Did this happen to anyone else whose pup was diagnosed with Pempfigus. I feel like my dermatolgist doesn’t know what to do regarding his appetite and lack of fluid intake.
Have you checked his mouth or throat for sores? They can get them on mucous tissues as well. This might be causing the lack of desire to eat/drink.
I struggled with Otis but he always eventually came around to eat and drink.
My vet gave me some good advice once that helped me and it’s something to think about.
“Dogs are not like us, they don’t hold grudges and they don’t hold onto the bad things. Dogs need fewer things in this world then we do.. they need to eat, drink, pee, poop and be with the ones they love and in the meantime, they will find things that make them happy.”
These decisions are hard to make, but you’ll know the right thing to do when it’s time.
I am so grateful to you for starting this blog Dianna, until 2 weeks ago I had no idea what pemphigus foliaceus was…or how it was going to tragically affect our beloved english staffy Rhino. Before Xmas we noticed he had developed a limp, and generally didn’t seem himself. Not long afterwards he started getting random crusty scabs, including one right between his eyes. Our vet assumed it was some sort of bacterial skin infection and prescribed antibiotics and topical creams. He also went on anti-inflammatories as the vet also suspected cruciate ligament damage. For the first 2-3 weeks Rhino’s skin didnt get much worse…but it definitely wasnt getting any better. After 5 weeks our vet referred us to the vet hospital, as he had tried several medications, we had already paid a hefty vet bill and no improvement. We had to wait a couple of weeks as the referral was actually to the orthopaedic vet, so he could assess Rhinos’ cruciate ligament damage as well. During this waiting time Rhino declined rapidly, his skin was covered in crusty weeping scabs, he would scratch until his face was raw and he could hardly walk. I was petrified about what we were going to be told at the appointment, but the orthopaedic surgeon was fantastic. He prioritized the skin condtion first, and admitted Rhino straight away for scans to eliminate any nasty tumours etc. Next it was pathology and punch biopsies…then the dreaded wait for the results. It took a week for all of the results to come back, and it was absolutely heartbreaking seeing Rhino in the state he was in..his paws were so swollen and infected the pads were all split, his skin was covered in infected scabs , he couldn’t walk and stopped eating because he had ulcers in his mouth. He was on a very high dose of tramadol for the pain but it didn’t seem to be helping him at all. I was in tears every day, I just couldn’t bear to see him suffer anymore. We took him back to the hospital and they admitted him straight away…and luckily his path results came through that night with the pemphigus diagnosis. Since starting on the high dose of steriods his skin has improved dramatically in the last two weeks, but sadly he’s definitely not the spoilt, happy, healthy boy we love and adore. He’s lost weight and muscle so quickly, and because he was always so round and cuddly it makes him look sickly thin. I am spending as much time with him as I can, but he seems vacant and lethargic and hobbles around. I’m worried the cruciate ligament is causing him more pain, and to top it off he’s started urinating inside 😥 I know the medication makes him so thirsty, he’s drinking heaps of water… But I’m not sure if it’s incontinence or sometimes he’s just too sore to walk outside? So tomorrow we have another checkup with the medical vet, here’s hoping she can shed some light on why he’s weeing inside..and hopefully put my mind at rest that he’s on the road to recovery and hopefully will be back to the handsome, playful and happy boy who means so much to me 🙂
This story sounds so familiar and the steroids/water will make them urinate like that, one time Otis was sitting on the corner of the bed and just started to pee. I knew the poor baby couldn’t help it and he looked so sad afterwards, I could have cried.
Any update on Rhino?
Hi Dianna 🙂 I am happy to report that in the past 2 weeks Rhino has continued to improve…slowly but surely. His skin has been looking really good, but the steroids have definitely impacted his general well-being and appearance unfortunately. He has lost alot of weight and muscle mass, and looks very gaunt and scrawny at the moment. Our vet said that is to be expected, and now that she is slowly reducing the steroid dosage we should see some improvement in both his appearance and the accidental weeing inside…thank goodness!
We had to address the financial issue of the Atopica with the vet today as well – it has been costing us $265 for only 14 days supply…and we simply just cannot afford it anymore. So we’ve got a script for the human equivalent of cyclorsporin which is definitely much cheaper, and have all fingers and toes crossed that there won’t be any change in Rhino’s health when he swaps to this instead.
I have been experimenting in making all of Rhino’s meals myself now, and try to avoid buying any pre-packaged/processed dog food. He’s CONSTANTLY hungry, and always sniffing around the kitchen!! I’m adding coconut oil and tumeric in with his vegies and mince which he loves, but would be grateful for any other tips on what I could include in his diet?
I’m sorry but I don’t know how I can share photos of Rhino with you all to see his progress, but hopefully one day I will work it out and you can see my handsome boy on his road to recovery! 🙂