newborn with skin issues - she's gone

[blessednest]

I have an 8 month old Nigerian Dwarf that I just got biopsy results back for today. Pemphigus foliaceous. While researching I came across this thread. I'm trying to find out what may help the poor little guy without turning him into a pin cushion. I would love to know if your beautiful little girl has the same thing. Some of the information I've found has listed Dexamethazone (sp) and a promising treatment. I just wonder what the long term affects would be since my vet has told me he would have to be on prednizone for life. Wishing you the best and will be watching for updates on her treatment.

 

[Ms. Research]

She might look a little pitiful now, but hoping this will pass and she's her beautiful self in no time.

DH asks if you ever used Pine Tar Soap. That's excellent for all skin irritations. If all else fails, maybe bathe her with it a couple times. DH knows people with shingles, mercia and a bunch of other skin irritations that this takes care of. An old remedy.

Just a suggestion. Hoping she's already on the right track to healthy life.

K

 

[peachick]

Well WELCOME to BYH!!

Sorry you are having similar problems with your boy.
Hopefully one round of steroids will fix both of our kids.
I still dont have lab results back but i am expecting the same diagnosis.
My vet commented that once this is cleared up she'd probably not need the steroids again unless she has another outbreak.
I guess we just have to wait and see.... since few people have ever experienced this with their goats.

So your boy was not born with it?? What areas on his body and face are effected? And what treatments have you tried? Supplements? I am actually wondering if the omega 3 supplement that I have been giving her since about day 3 is maybe the biggest help. One benefit of omega 3 is it aids our immune system.

 

[peachick]

She might look a little pitiful now, but hoping this will pass and she's her beautiful self in no time.

DH asks if you ever used Pine Tar Soap. That's excellent for all skin irritations. If all else fails, maybe bathe her with it a couple times. DH knows people with shingles, mercia and a bunch of other skin irritations that this takes care of. An old remedy.

Just a suggestion. Hoping she's already on the right track to healthy life.

K

the yellow goop i am using on her is sulfer and pine oil... hence the lovely smell!

 

[Ms. Research]

She might look a little pitiful now, but hoping this will pass and she's her beautiful self in no time.

DH asks if you ever used Pine Tar Soap. That's excellent for all skin irritations. If all else fails, maybe bathe her with it a couple times. DH knows people with shingles, mercia and a bunch of other skin irritations that this takes care of. An old remedy.

Just a suggestion. Hoping she's already on the right track to healthy life.

K

the yellow goop i am using on her is sulfer and pine oil... hence the lovely smell!

Ok, good to hear. DH says pine tar and Phelsnafta soap have been used on exterior skin irritations and diseases for decades. With success. Good to hear.

We are both hoping she's 100% in no time.

K

 

[peachick]

"Crusty" Black Betty got another bath today. I just had to wash off that yellow stuff. I use a flea comb on her to help remove some of the crust on her legs and sholders once the water has softened it. After her bath I put hydrocortizone in the bad areas. Am undecided about the smelly yellow goop
I am keeping her and her playmate "Zoom" in a puppy exercize pen in the kitchen. The smell of the meds and their maturing digestive system is becoming too much. They are 2 1/2 weeks old now. They spend their days outside, but indoors at night and bad weather (raining today). Its time to move them outside full time .... soon.

Still no word on the bipopsy :/

 

[blessednest]

Peachick, my little guy is 8 months old. He was absolutly fine until about a month and a half ago. I noticed he looked like he had mites and was biting his feet and tail area. Treated the whole herd and expected all to be well. He didn't clear up so I retreated him. Still little to no improvement so I called the vet in. He treated the whole herd again even though he is the only one with symtoms. I called him a week later to say it was still there and we put him on antibiotics. He did improve slightly for a few days then it started looking bad again. That's when we decided a biopsy was in order. He called me yesterday morning with the results and treatment options. He feels we will need to keep him on prednisone for the rest of his life. I'm really not comfortable with that so started looking into the disease. (That's how I found you) I am a bit more hopeful that this can be treated successfully than I was yesterday.

He seems to be affected mostly on his face from around both eyes about half way down to his nose. He also is scabby/scally around his feet and tail. The rest of his body seems unaffected. He eats fine but I have noticed that he stays mostly to himself or with his mother. And of course he hates me now since I'm always poking him with sharp objects. I really hope your biopsy results come back with better news. Your little girl is adorable.

 

[KellyHM]

My first instinct after reading your initial post was an autoimmune issue. I went ahead and read the rest and am glad to see you started her on some steroids. I hope she does well for you!

 

[peachick]

Peachick, my little guy is 8 months old. He was absolutly fine until about a month and a half ago. I noticed he looked like he had mites and was biting his feet and tail area. Treated the whole herd and expected all to be well. He didn't clear up so I retreated him. Still little to no improvement so I called the vet in. He treated the whole herd again even though he is the only one with symtoms. I called him a week later to say it was still there and we put him on antibiotics. He did improve slightly for a few days then it started looking bad again. That's when we decided a biopsy was in order. He called me yesterday morning with the results and treatment options. He feels we will need to keep him on prednisone for the rest of his life. I'm really not comfortable with that so started looking into the disease. (That's how I found you) I am a bit more hopeful that this can be treated successfully than I was yesterday.

He seems to be affected mostly on his face from around both eyes about half way down to his nose. He also is scabby/scally around his feet and tail. The rest of his body seems unaffected. He eats fine but I have noticed that he stays mostly to himself or with his mother. And of course he hates me now since I'm always poking him with sharp objects. I really hope your biopsy results come back with better news. Your little girl is adorable.

So sorry about your baby. My girl has no symptoms with itching, or her feet. And she was born "crusty". But like with humans we all react differently. I hope you get your boy cleared up quickly. Maybe after a week of meds he will get back on track and you can limit the meds.

My report on Black Betty is ... she is feeling good. Her pigment has filled in, in all the bald areas. The hair is coming in around her mouth nicely... except for the area above her nose that is loose, hard and still needs to peel off. Her eye is looking good and I believe her vision is good in that eye. I am now quite optimistic on her recovery.

I sure appreciate everyones comments and support on this list... it is amazingly helpfull.

Kelly - thank you, she is really improving nicely now.

 

[elevan]

My report on Black Betty is ... she is feeling good. Her pigment has filled in, in all the bald areas. The hair is coming in around her mouth nicely... except for the area above her nose that is loose, hard and still needs to peel off. Her eye is looking good and I believe her vision is good in that eye. I am now quite optimistic on her recovery.

I sure appreciate everyones comments and support on this list... it is amazingly helpfull.

The folks on this board are amazing with their support. I am glad that Black Betty's prognosis is optimistic.