has anyone ever heard of a glider with psoriasis or eczema?
There is a little glider with hair loss, similar to Reepicheep (but not Reep) that has seen a vet. urine, fecals, general and oral exam, and skin scraping/culture all normal. No parasites or fungus. vet said would need a skin biopsy to determine if psoriasis or eczema but cost is $300-$400.
I believe it is stress and/or diet related but would like to know if anyone has ever heard of a glider with psoriasis or eczema.
Last edited by Dancing; 01/04/0604:15 AM.
620-704-9109 Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.
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Re: psoriasis or eczema?
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#76018 01/04/0604:25 AM01/04/0604:25 AM
They didn't get blood..she does have some dry skin, Jen is inclined to think (so was the vet) that with the extremely dry air in Utah (frequently 8-10% in winter, not a whole lot higher some summers) it wouldn't be out of place with no hair to protect the skin. But yes, she did have some flakiness, but not bad at all.
620-704-9109 Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.
I could have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the dance
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Re: psoriasis or eczema?
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#76020 01/04/0604:55 AM01/04/0604:55 AM
I would suggest getting blood work done first. It's much cheaper than a skin biopsy. There are many illnesses that can cause hair loss, or it could be plain old stress.
Eddie
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Re: psoriasis or eczema?
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#76021 01/04/0607:12 AM01/04/0607:12 AM
I never heard of a glider having those conditions. Some will have a little fakeness on the ears at times. If it is psoriasis or eczema I doubt if the vet can do much about it. I have known people who have spent a fortune to try and correct these conditions on themselves with little success. This sounds like a diet related issue. Without knowing more about the gliders background it is difficult to guess. A little Linatone given daily will usually greatly improve a gliders skin and coat. And as Teresa mentioned I would not rule out the climate. Charlie H
Dogs and cats can get it for sure. Other animals too. My daughter has a long hair tiny chihauha (sp?) that has it bad and has to stay on steroid and cream for the rest of his life. He lost most of his hair in places and got scabbed up bad from it. If he's off his meds for 1 day..he starts itching <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I would think IMO that any animal could get it..but have the vet do a thorough exam to make sure before putting him on meds.
Glider Kids - Badger and Bonnie, Pepsi and Grace, Victoria.. ahem..I mean ummm..Victor! and Isabella <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Re: psoriasis or eczema?
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#76023 01/04/0608:33 AM01/04/0608:33 AM
Oh, and the vet said it can be due to allergies, cliimate and or stress. (those little dogs are stressed out for sure) Chico stays cleared up as long as he stays on his meds. He has to take a pill everyday and if any sign of scabbing..on goes the cream.
Glider Kids - Badger and Bonnie, Pepsi and Grace, Victoria.. ahem..I mean ummm..Victor! and Isabella <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Re: psoriasis or eczema?
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#76024 01/04/0608:06 PM01/04/0608:06 PM
With Reep it seems it was diet and stress...this little girl looks an awful lot like Reepicheep did, but not quite as severe-same, tho..general loss/thinning, worst on head. vet didn't think psoriasis or eczema likely, but only a biopsy would rule it out definitively. He also suggested allergies may be an issue, but to what, exactly, could take some time and an extremely dedicated owner to pinpoint. The vet we saw isn't comfortable drawing blood, so I wasn't going to force it under those circumstances, but I do have one now that will. Unfortunately, it's not my glider, and I have no say. I think a diet similar to what Reep was on may improve things, but again, it's going to take a dedicated owner and consistency. Wish I could have done the blood and biopsy then, but with Riker sick at the same time, I just couldnt' afford the biopsy at the time. I really feel for that little girl, it can't be comfortable.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: psoriasis or eczema?
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#76025 01/05/0601:00 AM01/05/0601:00 AM
Just for the record, my vet thought Reepicheep had ezcema at one point, and he did have some scaly spots with white flakes. We treated him for it with some improvement, but it got worse again when he was in a temporary home. I think it's definitely possible for gliders to have this condition.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" /> Wanted to add..they're both doing great, and ate wonderfully last night. All the neighbors were talking at them, too! Kind of noisy in here last night, but that always happens with the new arrivals...everyone's just gotta say hi!
Last edited by Xfilefan; 01/06/0611:39 PM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re:Update (pics) psoriasis or eczema?
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#76029 01/08/0604:48 AM01/08/0604:48 AM
I would suspect that many species can get eczema and psoriasis. Some of the things we use in people are not very practical for gliders, and weren't always terribly effective anyway. (Tar-based ointments, compacts, steroids and UV light treatments) The newer immunomodulators are great. Although the creams (Elidel = pimecrolimus, Protopic = tacrolimus) may work, I suspect they'd get eaten and licked off. These drugs do dampen the immune system's response, which appears over-active in eczema.
An almost easier treatment, and amazing effective treatment for bad psoriasis is Embrel. A periodic sub-Q shot does an amazing job of controlling some incredibly tough skin problems. Again, immunomodulators may predispose to infection by "turning down" the immune response, and this in theory creates a cancer risk. Unbelievable skin improvement though. I've seen some truly incredible before and after skin changes in patients who have suffered many years with no effective help prior to trying them.
I always wonder about Zinc deficiency in ugly skin conditions, especially ones that show up later after a period of non-involvement. Also consider food preservatives?
Someone has probable already mentioned to rule out mites. Black-light for looking at Tinea and Dermatophytes. Good luck.