Ask the Veterinarian/Furunculosis

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Expert: - 2/22/2011


Question
Hello

My dog, a 10 years old one,  was diagnosed by the vet  as having Furunculosis  He was given anti Histamines, antibiotics and some dermatological pads.  It hasn't helped so far - 12 days. He is limping on that foot and I can see a lump on one of his toes, not between the toes but on one of them ( it is also called, the vet said, Interdigital Cysts).  I've been soaking his feet in Epsom salt, and applied Aloa vera with vitamin E.  Still doing it.  

Are there any other methods I can apply at home?  I really love this dog.

Thank you,   Gabe    

Thanks   Gabe

Answer
This is a really tough one Gabe. These lumps are almost never actually cystic, but they look like cysts hence the name.
Twelve days is not long enough to see any kind of healing from this condition.
The initial treatment phase is usually 4-6 weeks long.

The Merck Manual might be a bit difficult for you to understand but here is a link to the article on this condition:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/70800.htm

It will help you understand the causes and treatments.
Don't give up yet even though it seems futile but you will start to see some results soon. Make sure that you use all the antibiotics etc that the vet gave you. If there is no response in about two weeks, call your vet. He/she may need to change the antibiotics to a different one. This is sometimes needed in a case like this.

You might also want to add some organic apple cider vinegar to the rinse since some have seen results with that as well.


I think that you will get some results in a week or so. So keep doing what you are and check in with your vet often.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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