newborn with skin issues - she's gone

[Ms. Research]

So sorry to hear about "Black Betty" and her "rare" skin disease. My thoughts are with you and her through this hard time. Hopefully the Cornell Vet can study this "rare" occurrence and something good will come out of it.

K

 

[doxiemoxie]

Oh Peachick, don't be distraught! Yes, this is sad but there is a lot to be hopeful for. Many diseases are just managed instead of cured. And having access to veterinarians who want to watch and monitor is a good thing. Don't be shy about asking them to be involved in treating her (and paying for some of it!) Just sit down when you can think critically, about the extent you want her to be "experimented" on. I have my own experience of owning ill animals so I understand to some degree those ups and downs. I admire your dedication and cry over your fears and frustration.

With that said, did this Vet make any recommendations regarding how much sunlight Betty should get? And does he think that the EB is causing the problems with her eyes?

 

[cmjust0]

Just because the guy at Cornell thinks it's EB doesn't mean she's not recovering, because the guy at Cornell could be dead wrong. In fact, based on what I just read about EB, it doesn't sound like the same thing to me. Im sure you've read up on it, too.. It seems to me that if it was EB, the scrubbing and rubbing you've done already would have sloughed all her skin off -- but it hasn't. And she's not oozy and blistery.. And like the Cornell guy said himself, the disease he's talking about is "almost never seen in animals".. And his reasoning seems to have been "because she had it at birth" -- seems flimsy to me.

I still think it's autoimmune. Autoimmune conditions happen in animals, and people and animals are born with autoimmune conditions all the time. Granted, I'm not a researcher for Cornell, but...well, I'm just not at all convinced that it's anything like what I'm reading about EB.

Soo...what's the plan going forward?

 

[peachick]

Just because the guy at Cornell thinks it's EB doesn't mean she's not recovering, because the guy at Cornell could be dead wrong. In fact, based on what I just read about EB, it doesn't sound like the same thing to me. Im sure you've read up on it, too.. It seems to me that if it was EB, the scrubbing and rubbing you've done already would have sloughed all her skin off -- but it hasn't. And she's not oozy and blistery.. And like the Cornell guy said himself, the disease he's talking about is "almost never seen in animals".. And his reasoning seems to have been "because she had it at birth" -- seems flimsy to me.

I still think it's autoimmune. Autoimmune conditions happen in animals, and people and animals are born with autoimmune conditions all the time. Granted, I'm not a researcher for Cornell, but...well, I'm just not at all convinced that it's anything like what I'm reading about EB.

Soo...what's the plan going forward?

Yes i agree. After thinking about it over the weekend Im not convinced its EB either... but it dosnt fit the other autoimmune symptom list either.... she dosnt itch, and I have never seen a blister.
I pick her up several times a day... that alone would cause her to blister up if it was EB.
But she dosnt blister and her skin is not red and irritated... its just crusty. The Vet asked me to continue with the topical cortisone cream in the bad areas... then make a note of how long it takes to clear up.... then stop treatment.... and note how soon the crustiness comes back.

Im a little lost and confused to be honest. Bettys behavior improved greatly after giving her the Dex. But vet asked me to discontinue the Dex (I had 2 injections left) until we see what the cortizone does. I dont want her to become a lab rat for their experiments. But it is importent to follow through with this so that they figure out what it is and how to treat it.

 

[autumnprairie]

Just because the guy at Cornell thinks it's EB doesn't mean she's not recovering, because the guy at Cornell could be dead wrong. In fact, based on what I just read about EB, it doesn't sound like the same thing to me. Im sure you've read up on it, too.. It seems to me that if it was EB, the scrubbing and rubbing you've done already would have sloughed all her skin off -- but it hasn't. And she's not oozy and blistery.. And like the Cornell guy said himself, the disease he's talking about is "almost never seen in animals".. And his reasoning seems to have been "because she had it at birth" -- seems flimsy to me.

I still think it's autoimmune. Autoimmune conditions happen in animals, and people and animals are born with autoimmune conditions all the time. Granted, I'm not a researcher for Cornell, but...well, I'm just not at all convinced that it's anything like what I'm reading about EB.

Soo...what's the plan going forward?

Yes i agree. After thinking about it over the weekend Im not convinced its EB either... but it dosnt fit the other autoimmune symptom list either.... she dosnt itch, and I have never seen a blister.
I pick her up several times a day... that alone would cause her to blister up if it was EB.
But she dosnt blister and her skin is not red and irritated... its just crusty. The Vet asked me to continue with the topical cortisone cream in the bad areas... then make a note of how long it takes to clear up.... then stop treatment.... and note how soon the crustiness comes back.

Im a little lost and confused to be honest. Bettys behavior improved greatly after giving her the Dex. But vet asked me to discontinue the Dex (I had 2 injections left) until we see what the cortizone does. I dont want her to become a lab rat for their experiments. But it is importent to follow through with this so that they figure out what it is and how to treat it.

sounds like he is trying to see if you have to have both meds for sucess of getting rid of it, or if it will take just one.
I would be interested to see if the dex works without all the creams.
I am glad she is showing spunk and normalcy

 

[peachick]

Well little crusty is feeling good these days. Today she was the most active and alert I have seen her yet.
Today she RAN!! it was not a lil trot, she was running! ..... I almost cried.

She had another bath... its the best way i know to loosen up some of the dry flakes. Then while shes still damp I rub the cortizone in....

The site that had the biopsy is clearing up nicely. Hair is filling in there, and hair is filling in on her face ( not her ears yet). Both eyes look clear and healthy. And her appetite is still great.

I think tomorrow I'll get more photos... maybe video.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Well little crusty is feeling good these days. Today she was the most active and alert I have seen her yet.
Today she RAN!! it was not a lil trot, she was running! ..... I almost cried.

She had another bath... its the best way i know to loosen up some of the dry flakes. Then while shes still damp I rub the cortizone in....

The site that had the biopsy is clearing up nicely. Hair is filling in there, and hair is filling in on her face ( not her ears yet). Both eyes look clear and healthy. And her appetite is still great.

I think tomorrow I'll get more photos... maybe video.

Kat - Excellent knews! So glad to hear. Remember Vets are Human's too. They do their best and try their best. But in the end, they are humans. You are doing great. Keep it up.

 

[daisychick]

I hope she just keeps getting better and stronger every day. She is sooooooo cute, crusties and all.

 

[wannacow]

Yea!!!!

 

[autumnprairie]

I am so happy. keep doing what you are doing