German Shepherd Metatarsal Fistulas - Page 1

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by hcorsoniv on 16 February 2018 - 20:02

Does anyone have experience with German Shepherd Metatarsal Fistulas. It supposedly occurs only in GSDs of true German heritage that are between 2 and 8 years of age mostly after the age of 6. The vet books and internet are not sure of the cause and are even less sure of effective treatment. Any guidance from experienced persons would be greatly appreciated.


by hexe on 17 February 2018 - 00:02

Immune-mediated disease, dogs exhibiting clinical signs should not be used for breeding, and serious consideration should be given to removing parents from breeding pool.

It's been a good thirty years since I've seen a dog with this condition, and that was in a dog of North American lineage.

Treatment is similar to other immune-mediated skin conditions such as perianal fistulas, discoid lupus and the like: steroids and antibiotics to address the inflammation and infection, possible dietary changes, products such as tacrolimus and oral or topical cyclosporine; niacinamide may be helpful as well as high doses of Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E.

I've never had a dog with this condition, but I did have an old boy with discoid lupus, and once the lesions were healed up via the steroids, antibiotics and topical treatments, I was able to keep him in remission without the steroids; we had him on the vitamin E, Omega 3, vitamin C, niacinamide and microlactin [Duralactin]. Microlactin has shown some efficacy as an immune modulating agent, in addition to its anti-inflammatory action, when used at a higher dosage than is customarily used in dogs for arthritis relief.

Whether such a regimen would work similarly for a dog with metatarsal fistulas would likely be a trial and error exercise, as it was for my guy's discoid lupus. First things first, this dog needs to see a good veterinary dermatologist, or at least a general practice vet with a strong interest in derm stuff.





 


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