VET SPEAK: Highland consultant Alison Laurie-Chalmers talks lameness in dogs and its many causes
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Paddy was a handsome, playful Gordon Setter who loved nothing more than running around in the local woods, writes Alison Laurie-Chalmers.
He was brought into the clinic with what we first thought was two broken claws, after one of his many exuberant visits to the woods. He had to be brought in on several occasions after this though, with similar symptoms, and was soon noted to have painful, broken and split claws on all four feet, and he was very lame.
Further investigations revealed that Paddy had SLO – Systemic Lupoid Onychodystrophy, a painful disease of all his claws.
SLO is an uncommon disease of the claws in young adult to middle aged dogs, three to eight years of age. The nail problem originates in the claw bed causing an abnormal claw make-up. The underlying cause is unknown, but it is suspected to be immune-mediated.
SLO is a slow progressive disease. It doesn’t cause a systemic illness, but does cause discomfort and affected feet are generally very painful. The problem is mainly seen in large-breed dogs and predisposed breeds include the German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer and Gordon Setter.
Typically, the first sign of problems is constantly licking of split claws, and an obvious lameness. The affected claws are generally painful to examine, and the dog may be reluctant to have their paws touched. The claws split and then elevate from the nail bed and a loss of the nail will eventually occur. Over a relatively short period of time all nails are variably affected. The claws can regrow, but will be misshapen, dry, brittle and crumbly. Bleeding beneath a retained nail, and secondary, bacterial nail bed infections can also be seen.
For a diagnosis, tests involving blood samples will generally be advised to rule out any underlying endocrine, or other systemic disease process, and samples will be taken to rule out bacterial and fungal infections or a neoplasia.
Treatments for SLO can be expected to take several months due to the slow growth of the claw tissues in the dog. Also, for this condition often these can be expected to be lifelong treatments. Referral to a veterinary consultant dermatologist may also be advised.
Typically, tetracyclines or doxycycline with niacinamide (vitamin B3) are used, along with supplemental omega three and six fatty acids, and vitamin E and biotin supplements may also be given orally with meals for their nail strengthening and health properties. Specific prescription diets enhanced with fatty acids are also sometimes used. Pain relief medications, drugs used to improve the microcirculation, and immunosuppressive drugs may also be required.
In some severe, painful cases, which are refractory to all advised treatments, surgical nail removal may be required.
If the ongoing drug treatments are successful, the eventual new claw growth will be notably stronger and healthier, and the patient much more comfortable. Diligent regular claw trimmings and daily strict paw hygiene with daily, medicated foot baths are also recommended.
Paddy thankfully responded well to his daily treatments and he slowly, but surely, grew back stronger, healthier nails.
Alison Laurie-Chalmers is a senior consultant with Crown Vets in Inverness.
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