SYMMETRICAL LUPOID ONYCHODYSTROPHY
Autoimmune disease that targets the toe nails 

This last week, I took most of Tuesday off and spent it with my Mother-in-Law, Nancy, to take her miniature schnauzer, Gretchen to the Vet.  She had concerns because Gretchen was limping, seemed to have stiffness in her back legs and just wasn't being herself.  She had originally taken her to her primary vet who said he couldn't find anything wrong with her and that she was just getting old and like us, it was probably arthritis and Gretchen was feeling the affects of aging. 
 
This was not an acceptable answer for Nancy, so she took it upon herself to make an appointment with a Neurologist at the NW Veterinary Specialists, in Clackamas.  Dr. Kroll came in and did a thorough examination.  After all was said and done, he felt she did not have arthritis or any muscular problems but that she had Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystropy.  SLO is thought to be an autoimmune disease that targets the toe nails.  This is a very painful condition and would cause Gretchen to limp and not want to get up and walk around.
 
Because SLO, is not Dr. Krolls specialty, he assisted us in making an appointment at the Allergy and Dermatology Veterinary Referral Center.  He got us in that same day and we were able to meet with Dr. Griffeth who confirmed his diagnosis. 

Most vets are not familiar with SLO and it is usually a condition that goes undiagnosed.  The hallmark of autoimmune diseases is that the body mistakenly forms antibodies against part of itself.  If it's antibodies are against our red blood cells then we destroy our own blood and become anemic.  If it's antibodies against our joints then we become arthritic.  In the case of SLO, dogs form antibodies against their toe nails, and reject them. 
The symptoms may include, but not limited to:  multiple nail loss, licking the nails, visible oozing around the base of the nail, separation of the nail from the quick, limping, infection, the nails growing the wrong direction and odor.
 
The good news is that it is rarely fatal and that it is easily treatable.  Gretchen was put on a combination of Tetracycline and Niacinamide to control the autoimmune.  She may have to be on medication for the rest of her life, but the goal will be to get SLO under control, then minimize the drugs to the lowest point as possible without SLO flaring up.  It usually takes about 6 to 10 weeks before she will see a response to the treatment.  She was also put on a low dose of Corticosteroid for a short time and pain killers as this is a very painful condition. 
 
Other things that are helpful are to cut the nails as short as possible and to remove any loose dangling nails which the Vet Tech did at their appointment.
 
I have also read, but it was not mentioned to Nancy, is to start your dog on essential fatty acids.
 
Because there is not a lot of study on this condition, it is not known why dogs get it.  There are several theories.  One, theory is genetics, and the other is diet/allergies.  It is not contagious, so it cannot be spread from one dog to another.  
 
This is a case where a pet owner was not happy with the answer her Vet gave her and decided to take things a step further in getting care for her pet.  If she would not have, Gretchen would have remained in pain for the rest of her life.  Gretchen has a great outlook and with luck she will be pain-free in about a month. 

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