My dog Buddy is a Shetland Sheepdog, also called a Sheltie. I am not the kind of person who just puts pictures of my dog on the internet because he's cute. He's here because he has a genetic disease which afflicts Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs, and possibly Jack Russel Terriers. This disease is called Dermatomyositis, commonly called Sheltie Syndrome.
On November 1, 1994, I said goodbye to my wonderful Sheltie, "Rowdy" at age 11 due to liver cancer.
Realizing that I was a definite "Dog Person", my roommate Kenne surprised me two months later with a precious tricolor puppy on Christmas eve.
As he grew, Buddy was a typical sheltie pup: he barked at everything that moved, attended obedience classes, and received all his shots at the proper times.
It wasn't until he matured and was a fully adult dog that the first symptoms of this disease appeared. Some patches of skin on his nose appeared, kind of scaly and reddish, looking like a sunburn more than anything. The Vet suggested "Collie Nose" as the culprit, and recommended that I put a bit of sunblock on his nose if he was going to be outside a lot. That summer, the "collie nose" symptoms got worse, and spread to his forehead, and under his eyes. The next summer, he began losing hair in large patches. His tail went bald within a week. Back to the vet - the regular vet was on vacation, and the substitute vet suggested that I take him to a Dermatologist (they have those? for dogs???).
270$ later, diagnosis:;DERMATOMYOSITIS, not "Collie Nose".We keep it in check with daily doses of Pentoxifylline (one every 12 hours).
IT PAYS TO SHOP AROUND :
I had been buying Buddy's medicine at a local pharmacy (part of a nationwide chain) for 5 years. 100 pills usually cost $72 (yes, that is the Generic price). I asked around a few other pharmacies for price quotes - they ranged from $68 to $75, so since my current pharmacy was both in the same price range and close to my home, I never switched. Four
years ago circumstances changed, and I moved to a new grocery store with a pharmacy. Their price for the same product, same quantity, was $25.10.; Yes, twenty-five dollars. One third the price of the other pharmacy.
I was sure they had made a mistake, but I had this prescription filled there dozens of times, and it remained $25.
In March of 2005, that grocery chain closed all of their stores in my area and I had to scramble for a replacement. That store transferred my prescriptions to another (waaaay less convenient) store, so I shopped until I found another good price. COSTCO sells the drug for 23$. I called my "old" pharmacy from 8 years ago, and they are STILL charging $72.
Feb 16, 2004 Buddy managed to slip out of the back yard, but left his identifying collar behind! He sniff/wandered almost a mile away, where some wonderful people at "BART'S PARTS" 525 Oak street, Bakersfield CA (661) 327-5501) took good care of him, and through the assistance of the local animal shelter, Buddy and I were reunited. He missed 4 rounds of medication, but was otherwise well cared for. Thanks to Ronnie at Barts' Parts for taking the initiative to return Buddydog to me.
July 15, 2007 - Buddy is now nearing the ripe old age of 13 years, and though the disease has roughed up his face a bit, he seems to be going strong. He's lost a little weight, but has not lost his desire to play and be a total wingnut every day. He certainly seems to be a happy dog.
If you'd like to share info about your DM dog (or if you yourself have DM),
American Shetland Sheepdog Association
Nice summary of DM symptoms and risks from Kim Schive
Canine Inherited Disorders Database
Another good summary