Slo In Greyhounds - Please Help

[Guest echandler]

Hello everyone,

 

One of my retired racing greyhounds - 5.5 years (Kiwi) was recently diagnosed with SLO (Symmetrical Lupid Onychodystrophy). Well diagnosed may be an overstatement as they are telling me that there is no surefire way to know.. Anyway, it started her toenails "peeling", the nail husk would lift up, crack and expose the quick. Recently it got worse to the point that two of her nails broke off..

She is on pain meds and is getting biotin, vitamin E (2X 400 ICU a day) and omegas. She is also on a raw diet and has been for the last year and a half. I am not sure what to do - in the past her nail beds got infected and she was on antibiotics, pain meds and received laser treatment. We also did full bloodworks and she seems to be ok otherwise.

 

The condition seems to be getting worse and I am at a loss of what to do - if you have had this experience before or have suggestions, please let me know.

 

Thank you

[XTRAWLD]

It is a common occurrence, however I have fortunately not had to deal with it. Lots of experienced folks here will chime in with details for you I'm sure.

[greysmom]

If you are on Facebook, there is an excellent group called Greyhounds with SLO (I think, you can search). If you're not on FB it might be worth joining to have a whole bunch of people to relate with about this disease.

 

Autoimmune disorders are tricky. It sounds like you're already doing everything you're supposed to. One thing you might consider, if you're not already, is to see a specialist - internist, disease specialist, one who specializes in autoimmune disorders. Regular vets are awesome, but the amount of knowledge they need to retain means that in depth information - new and up-to-date information - on rarer subjects is less of a priority.

[DocsDoctor]

Seconding the advice to seek out a specialist. Ken doesn't have SLO but does have a recurrent problem with nail bed infections - they can be treated with antibiotics but recur a few months later. I'm in London too (SW) and had a first appointment yesterday with a vet specialising in dermatology/ autoimmune issues who seems very good. Let me know if you want me to pm you contact details.

[tbhounds]

SLO can be confirmed via a biopsy (which would involve removing one of the nails) but, according to my dogs derm vet it's not a necessary procedure. If your dog responds to treatment it's slo. The most common meds to treat (not cure) are omega's, niacinamide and doxycycline.

Forgot to add-sometimes a short course of corticosteroids (pred) is prescribed to reduce the initial inflammation. Many gp vets are unfamiliar with this disease-i would seek out a veterinary dermatologist for a second opinion.

Edited August 3, 2017 by tbhounds

[GreytHoundPoet]

I have a girl with SLO. She's had it for a few years now. When she has a flare up we do meds (doxy and sometimes steroids). Otherwise, we supplement omegas and other healthy things. My local specialist and the vets at my practice have commented that they see SLO more in Greyhounds than any other breed or mix.

[Guest echandler]

If you are on Facebook, there is an excellent group called Greyhounds with SLO (I think, you can search). If you're not on FB it might be worth joining to have a whole bunch of people to relate with about this disease.

 

Autoimmune disorders are tricky. It sounds like you're already doing everything you're supposed to. One thing you might consider, if you're not already, is to see a specialist - internist, disease specialist, one who specializes in autoimmune disorders. Regular vets are awesome, but the amount of knowledge they need to retain means that in depth information - new and up-to-date information - on rarer subjects is less of a priority.

Thank you. I will join the group

Seconding the advice to seek out a specialist. Ken doesn't have SLO but does have a recurrent problem with nail bed infections - they can be treated with antibiotics but recur a few months later. I'm in London too (SW) and had a first appointment yesterday with a vet specialising in dermatology/ autoimmune issues who seems very good. Let me know if you want me to pm you contact details.

If you could send me the details that would be great. She does have a dermatologist of record in London (Dr. Wellington)

SLO can be confirmed via a biopsy (which would involve removing one of the nails) but, according to my dogs derm vet it's not a necessary procedure. If your dog responds to treatment it's slo. The most common meds to treat (not cure) are omega's, niacinamide and doxycycline.

Forgot to add-sometimes a short course of corticosteroids (pred) is prescribed to reduce the initial inflammation. Many gp vets are unfamiliar with this disease-i would seek out a veterinary dermatologist for a second opinion.

Thank you - I will seek advice

I have a girl with SLO. She's had it for a few years now. When she has a flare up we do meds (doxy and sometimes steroids). Otherwise, we supplement omegas and other healthy things. My local specialist and the vets at my practice have commented that they see SLO more in Greyhounds than any other breed or mix.

That is disheartening... Thank you for sharing

[GreytHoundPoet]

Don't be too disheartened. My girl gets around fine and has few flareups. She'll be 10 next month.

[Neighsayer]

It gets better. My SLO dog first lost all his nails over a two month period. After a few years he would go for months without issues, and then lose only one or two at a time with no problem.

[DocsDoctor]

If you could send me the details that would be great. She does have a dermatologist of record in London (Dr. Wellington)

 

I tried to PM you but couldn't - I think because you're too new a member. Anyway ours is called Carly Mason and we were referred to her at Surbiton Vet Hospital by our local vet, which is part of the same practice group, http://welovevoo.com/. She holds consultations there every fortnight so presumably also works elsewhere - if you ring them (no. on link) they could presumably advise.