Sonko n Immune-Mediated Muscle disease

- February 15, 2020

2/14/2020 - Talked with a vet from Park Centre Animal Hospital in Alameda regarding Sonko's latest urine culture results.

Some background:

Sonko, several of his siblings, his dam, and other close relatives have auto-immune issues. Several have an inherited immune-mediated muscle disease (IMM) or Lupus. So far 2 are in remission, 1 with IMM and 1 with Lupus. Some of the dogs have been euthanized due to complications of their disease. The age of onset of the known affected dogs is approximately 2-5 years. After onset of the autoimmune disease, some dogs' health have declined rapidly while in other the progression had been more gradual.

As of this writing there is no DNA test for IMM. There is a DNA test for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) which is what I thought he had at first, but so many symptoms didn't fit. I personally had Sonko, Zara and Sassy tested for that - all are clear. DM is in the Peruvian dogs but can be bred out since there is a test for it. IMM is another story. For now we have to rely on honest and open communication between breeders and dog owners.

Before Sonko can start the steroid treatment, he needs to be clear of his UTI (staff infection). He was on 10 days of Clavamox. Urine re-cultured 5 days into the treatment was clear. The 2nd culture was 7 days post antibiotic treatment.

Back to the call.

The infection is back. After a good talk with the vet, I decided to go ahead and start the steroids (today, Sat. Feb. 15th), along with D-Mannose (to protect his urinary track). I was also given the choice to use a different antibiotic and the steroid but after weighing the pros and cons with the vet, that was not an option at this time.

Deep Breath...Here Goes...

Sonko's Treatment Plan

Prednisone 20 Mg Tab - 1 tab every 12 hours for 14 days
checking urine
then 1/2 tab every 12 hours for 14 days
then 1/2 tab every 24 hours for 14 days
then reassess
D-Mannose by Pure Encapsulations - 1/4th of human dose 3 times per day
Visbiome Vet High Potency Probiotic for Dogs - 2 caps daily

The steroid treatment worked on Sonko's niece, Evita (IMM), she is in remission. Note: she was treated earlier in the disease. She is 5 yrs old and Sonko is 7 years. Angle (IMM) was treated with a lower dose of steroid, didn't make it, she was around 2 years old. Lobo was treated and is doing well (Dx with Lupus). Others were not treated with steroids, didn't know what was going on. Zara starts steroid treatment soon.

Sonko's Symptoms

short-strided gait (when he used to have a beautiful gait, then became my clumsy one. That was the disease showing up) - Zara we thought she had injured her hind legs from jumping (she loved to jump and run). Sonko was gradual at first, Zara was sudden. Then she seemed to level off for a bit. Then Sonko deteriorated fast.
abnormal posture - He stands in a wide stance crouching
anorexia - so hard to get him to eat (used to eat anything you gave him with gusto)
dysphagia - noted a little bit of what is called oral dysphagia.
changes in physical appearance to muscle - atrophic
stumbles (want to keep him in bubble wrap, he injures himself)
depression (people who visit don't even know he is curled up by my desk, he gets up when its someone he knows - maybe) One of my Dad's care takers didn't even know Sonko existed. Till one day she saw him (not current caretaker..that is a story in it self..the caretaker saga).My Dad has one now that is perfect for the dynamics of this household.

So thankful for the few current and past Peruvian Hairless dog breeders and dog fanciers that are coming together to share, brain storm, research, DNA test, encouraging each other and not condemning each other. That is how it should be. Its for the preservation of the breed, to work at producing as humanly possible with the tools that are available to improve the health and well being of these beautiful dogs