Meet Patch. And A Disease Named Pemphigus.
We had so much going on last weekend that I didn't get a chance to post anything about our newest arrival, a little Schipperke named Patch. Alayne picked him up at the Missoula airport late Friday evening.
Patch came to us from the Yolo County SPCA in California. These wonderful folks have sent several disabled animals to us over the past few years. When Patch was brought to the shelter, they contacted us. He wasn't really disabled but disfigured, and that's good enough to get you admitted here!
His skin was blistered and raw, he was missing a lot of hair, his ears were crusted, he scratched constantly, and he looked miserable. This is what he looked like after he arrived at the shelter in late March ... they had already bathed and cleaned him up before the photo, so he looked much worse initially. A vet told the shelter that the dog -- who they named Patch because of how he looked -- was a burn victim at some point in the past, and most likely his hair would never grow back.
The shelter emailed me this photo, along with another one showing the bald sides of his body. I forwarded the photos to our internal medicine specialist in Missoula, Dr. Dave Bostwick, to get his opinion. Dave said the dog didn't look like a burn case because of the pattern of hair loss. Without seeing the dog, he couldn't offer a diagnosis, of course, but he suspected a skin disorder of some sort. About this time another vet told the shelter the dog might have lupus.
I asked the shelter if they could take Patch to a veterinary dermatologist for an exam, and I said we would pay for it. The Yolo County SPCA is in Davis, where the University of California's College of Veterinary Medicine is located, so they have access to lots of specialists. As our luck would have it, all the veterinary dermatologists in the country were having their annual convention (in Hawaii!), so they were a little hard to find. Fortunately the shelter found another veterinary dermatologist in private practice in Sacramento who could see Patch -- he was the only one left in the U.S. who wasn't in Hawaii that week, I reckon -- so they made an appointment.
It took a couple of weeks for the testing and biopsies to be completed, but last Monday we finally had a definitive diagnosis: Patch has a very rare autoimmune disease called pemphigus foliaceus, a blistering disorder of the skin. In this type of pemphigus (there are several forms of it), the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the proteins that connect the skin cells to each other. There is no cure for the disease, but it is treatable. Patch will need to be on prednisone and a drug called azathioprine (brand name: Imuran) for the rest of his life.
(The bill for the dermatologist came to $548, which is well worth it, if you ask me. We now know what Patch has, and we know what he needs for medical care. This is why we are such big believers in using veterinary specialists.)
The azathioprine has side effects -- it can cause bone marrow suppression -- and Patch will need blood testing every two weeks for the first few months he's on the drug. If all goes well with the azathioprine, we will be able to taper him off ... or at least lower the dose ... of the prednisone eventually. Of course, what we're doing in effect is suppressing his immune system so it won't attack his own body, which carries risks in and of itself.
Because the shelter already had wisely put him on prednisone due to how itchy he was, his skin looks better now, and his hair is starting to grow back. But he still has large bald patterns and his ears remain crusty and oozy. The scarring on his face may be permanent, the dermatologist told us, because of how severe it is. But this little guy -- and I do mean little, he only weighs about 10 pounds -- is a happy fellow who gets so excited at meal time ... and whenever a cookie is present ... that he literally jumps with joy.
(We took these other three photos this evening, after I returned from WSU's teaching hospital at Pullman. Click on any of the photos to get a larger image.)
It has never been about what was on the outside, its whats inside that counts. Angels are everywhere.
Posted by: Diane Kelly | May 21, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Patch: It will get better for you. Love, hugs and medicine will make you a lot more comfortable. Love and blessings to all of you!!!!
Posted by: Karen-Central Oregon | May 20, 2007 at 12:47 PM
How wonderful that Patch can for once have the feeling we all take for granted - a day without the misery of itching. God Bless each one at the Ranch, especially those of you who love and care for the precious ones! We hope to schedule a visit in August of this year when we go north!
A big hug to all,
Donna
Posted by: Donna Shelton | May 19, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Angels come to us in all forms, even crusty ears, I suspect! Imagine Patch thinks he's found some angels himself. Welcome to him and thank you for all you do so unselfishly. dbh
Posted by: Debby | May 18, 2007 at 06:25 PM
It's so uplifting to come to this website and see the work that is being done to help unfortunate dogs such as Patch.
I try not to think that for every lucky one there must be hundreds that aren't so lucky.
Anyway, you guys at the sanctuary should be whole heartedly congratulated for the work that you are doing. I hope that Patch's medication works well and he gets to lead a happy and healthy life!
Posted by: Nathan | May 17, 2007 at 09:31 PM
God bless you, for what you are doing.
Posted by: medical doctor | May 17, 2007 at 04:12 PM
you guys have been a true blessing for patch......good to see him lookin and feelin better..... what a great thing ya`ll are doing for helpless animals.kathy cayton
Posted by: kathy cayton | May 17, 2007 at 09:15 AM
Welcome, Patch! I'm so glad you were able to take this little cutie in, he'll have all the love and care he needs now.
Posted by: Roz | May 10, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Welcome little Patch!
What a buddle of fun he seems to be. I am continuously amazed at how you carefully tend to the amimals that come your way. Great job. One day (when my ship comes in) I'll be pleased as punch to help pick up the tab there for one -- or more of these fortunate friends. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Karen | May 09, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Patch is a cutie & very lucky that he found the RDR through the channels! He's going to get the best of the elite TLC! What a lot of energy for such a tiny pooch. I like his spirit.
Hugs to the new member,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | May 09, 2007 at 04:05 PM
What a cutie! Welcome home little one! You will be happy beyond belief!! I will pray that you are feeling better soon. I'm sure you are fitting in quite well there at RDR. Tell Alayne and Steve thanks for the great care by being a good critter and giving them lot of kisses! God Bless you and all the other critters there as well as the Humans too!
Posted by: shelby | May 09, 2007 at 03:14 PM
He's a cutie. Is that green grass I see in the background??? That was almost as exciting as seeing the new puppy.
Posted by: Nicci | May 09, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Bless you.
Posted by: Bruce Small | May 09, 2007 at 01:44 PM
Patch, you are a precious boy! You will enjoy life at the ranch! Glad to hear his disease is treatable and that he can live his life enjoying cookies!!!!
Posted by: Nina | May 09, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Welcome to the ranch Patch! What a sweet and happy little face he has! Steve and Alayne, you are wonderful for taking in all of these precious animals! Thanks for all you do!
Posted by: KCBORRS | May 09, 2007 at 11:15 AM
He looks Great! :)
Posted by: Ashley | May 09, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Welcome to RDR, Patch! You're going to be very well taken care of and very much loved. Happy, happy, happy!!!
Posted by: Cathy | May 09, 2007 at 08:06 AM
Congratulations Patch and RDR! The change of expressions on Patch's face in the photos is WONDERFUL and I believe shows a trajectory forward with the best yet to come for you!
ps: don't let those Beagles or Doxies try to convert you :) You're incredibly special just as you are!
Posted by: Margaret | May 09, 2007 at 07:36 AM
Patch must have been so uncomfortable, and for quite some time. He really does look much better since March; happier too, that big smile on his face while Steve is holding him says it all!
Welcome to the Ranch little Patchkins!
Posted by: Leilani | May 09, 2007 at 07:31 AM
I knew of a case of this disease. It is not easy. My late sister's dog, Topaz, had it and lived with it only for a year. I am glad that Patch has people that will love him and take care of him.
Posted by: Linda Lee Balkin | May 09, 2007 at 07:07 AM
What a beauty! Sending happiness and prayers your way little one! I hope you are feeling better soon! Welcome HOME!! I know that you will be very happy!
xoxo Shelly
Posted by: shelby | May 09, 2007 at 06:14 AM
I think Patch is beautiful. I happen to be on Prednisone and Imuran for my illness too. Hang in there Patch; it isn't so bad...even the blood tests!
Anxious to hear about Brynn, Turtle, Domino and Travis!
Posted by: Cora | May 08, 2007 at 11:08 PM
Poor little guy - how miserable he must have been feeling! How wonderful to have found the ranch, a place dedicated to finding what was wrong and treating it. He will now feel relief and love in his new home!
How is Miss Turtle? I have been thinking of her the last few days, hoping the news is better than expected.
Posted by: Heidi & the kitties | May 08, 2007 at 10:39 PM