pemphigus treatment

Question
QUESTION: Our 3 yr old 110 lb long haired german shepherd has been diagnosed with a mild - so far - case of pemphigus foliaceus.  We are 2 months into steriod treatment.  1/2 tab prednisone every other day is keeping it at bay -- we will try to go every 3rd day soon per our vets instructions.  any more than 1/2 tab was too much for her -- heavy breathing, spaced out, listless.  we feed her california natural dry food mixed with some homemade organic roast chicken and veggies.  I would like to explore homeopathic treatment or any other alternative medicine -- just don't like the steroid thing.  What can we do next?  Any website or reference help would be great.  Thank you so much.

ANSWER: Hi Sally
I am not surprised that you are looking for an alternative.  Long-term steroid usage can have devastating results including diabetes.  The steroids are keeping the problem from appearing, but this is only on the surface.  It is not actually fixing the reason for the problem in the first place.

Yes, I will give you some references for people to contact about a course of treatment.  But I just wanted to add that this condition usually develops over a long period of skin problems that have gone unnoticed or untreated.  A major cause of skin problems in pets is dry pet food.  It does not matter that the label reads "natural" or "Organic" - it is still a highly irritating, and nutritiously inferior diet for our pets.  

Switch her over to raw and natural meats and veggies.  I would suggest swapping over to a food such as the BARF patties - they are raw, natural and full of veggies and other supplements necessary for a healthy happy dog.

If you go to www.barfworld.com there you can find a distributor in your area.

You could easily alternate daily between the organic chicken and veggies and the BARF.  I would not add any grains either - no rice, pasta, wheat etc... as these too are skin irritants for pets, as well as hard to digest.

Firstly I would contact Robert McDowell at www.herbal-treatments.com  He prepares herbal remedies and talking/emailing him would be a good idea as he can custom make the remedies too.

Otherwise you can also look at homeopathy -

www.holisticanimalmedicines.com  

This can be a gentler way to treat the condition.  
I would probably suggest you start out with one course of herbal treatment, and then use some homeopathy to maintain and also get some homeopathy to detoxify the system from the steroids.

I hope this was useful for you.
With thanks,
Silva.
www.roxysworld.com.au

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, Sylvia!  Really helpful and specific.  Will do it all.  Am wondering how to go about stopping the prednisone.  I know just stopping may not be a very good idea??  Robert McDowell will hopefully have great advice about the best way to segue from the steroids to the herbs and from there to the homeopathy.  So, hopefully, will whoever is on the other end of the holisticanimalmedicines website.  But thought I'd also ask you.  You are doing a great service.  Very grateful.  Thanks.  Sally

Answer
Sally - thank you so much for your feedback.  It makes me remember why I am doing this, so thank you for the appreciation.

I would probably think to stop the prednisone once the next packet is complete (once you have started on the herbs).  Maybe a two week over lap or so.  Robert will tell you.  With the herbs I would definately complete one bottle (12 week supply) and then depending on how she is going possibly order a second bottle and administer at half dose for the next 5-6 months (1 bottle at half dose will last this long).  Once you finish the first bottle of herbs you may want to introduce a detox homeopathic formula.  Holistic Animal Medicines will be able to assist you with this.  They have 3 great detox products available:
http://www.holisticanimalmedicines.com/ailments_info.php?ailments_id=117

After you finish a course of the homeopathics, you may then want to assess the situation, and then decide to either continue with the herbs, or get her onto a homeopathic formula.

So Sally, do discuss with Robert about when he thinks you could safely stop giving her the steroids.  If it were me I would simply stop the day she starts on the herbs, but this is of course your decision to make and you need to feel comfortable in what you decide is best for your girl.  

Another product I just thought of that may also help on the surface is some hydrated calcium bentonite Clay (living Clay).  This is extremely absorbing and detoxifying and is excellent for all skin problems.  You can use it yourself also as a facial mask.  You can easily apply it to your dog's skin wherever she needs it. It is perfectly safe and no problem at all if she licks it off.
Clay works the same on humans as on animals.  To purchase it go to:
http://www.globallight.net/Living-Clay_82.html

Thanks again,
Silva.
www.roxysworld.com.au