Posted by Jenni MacPhail on March 27, 2003 at 00:49:58:
In Reply to: Re: Phemphigus foliaceus/canker posted by M. W. Myers, D.V.M. on March 26, 2003 at 22:10:34:
: This is not the way to diagnose pemphigus. The differentials for this horse include - severe laminitis with sinking (some sinkers are not painful as the circulation cuts off and the laminae dewgenerate), damaged and granulating laminae, Borreliosis (Lyme disease), ergot toxicosis, selenium toxicity, deep seated hoof infections. Only biopsy can diagnose pemphigus and this needs to be accurately diagnosed before you attempt to treat it.
: Transfer factor has very little relation to glutathione. Glutathione is a T cell stimulator while transfer factor is a cytokine modulator.
: Aurothioglucose is commonly referred to as "gold shots". They suppress certain portions of the immune response and are value in pemphigus therapy.
: You do need an accurate diagnosis on this horse.
: M. W. Myers, D.V.M.
Dr. Myers,
Great info, again. Looks like I have a more research to do and more questions for my vet re biopsy. As far as the horse suffering severe laminitis, I have an excellent farrier who lives nearby and I hope (!) he'd notice something like that if for some reason I didn't. He saw the horse, along with the vet last Friday. (Unfortunately I have experience with another horse who was a sinker (mild) that we caught in time. He's now comfortable and back to work, under my farrier's care).
Have you ever used Aurothioglucose on a horse? Is this the same or similar to gold salt therapy?
FWIW as of yesterday the horse's coronary bands stopped weeping and are dried up. Hooray for that!
Jenni