From:
jbclague@yahoo.com
Date: 2001-04-18 17:17:00 UTC
Subject: Re: "Stump the Experts"
I am definitely going out on a limb, but the photos of Bear's foot
reminds me very much of a Basenji pup I bred about 20 years ago that
had a similar condition for years. It began when she was about 2
years old; just a slight swelling of the pads of her front feet which
resolved on its own within a week or so. Over the years, it became
worse and lasted longer...sometimes one foot and sometimes both.
When it reached the condition shown by the photos, she seemed to have
some discomfort when running around outdoors but never in the house.
Needless to say, she was tested extensively and was negative for
everything. I always had the gut feeling that it was an allergy or
autoimmune reaction to something, particularly since steroids would
alleviate it to some degree. Finally, I asked her owners to take her
to the Univ of PA and test her (at my expense) for lupus. Three
tests later, she was positive...I was told that it is very difficult
to get accurate testing for dogs re lupus. So, I'm wondering, is
there any test which would be indicative of something comparable in
ferrets? Not necessarily lupus, but an autoimmune reaction and/or
disease?