Immune mediated polyarthritis

[coopersmum]

While researching immune mediated polyarthritis, I kept coming across articles that say that spaniels are predisposed to this disease. I was just wondering if anyone else here has a furry friend that suffers from it. Cooper was diagnosed with it in December (after a really rough ride following spinal surgery) and is slowly being weaned off steroids at this point. I'm not a fan of steroids due to all the awful side effects but have no options at this point.As much as I don't like them, it is really good to have my naughty, mishievous hairy monster back to his old self

[saffysmum]

I realise this is an old post but I have came online today to research this illness.  My 2 yr old cocker has just been diagnosed with this.  I have found a fabulous site - CIMDA - which is full of info regarding Auto Immune Diseases like this.  It seems to have a genetic disposition.  We are in the first 2 weeks of recovery and it seems to be going well.  Saffy isn't limping as badly and has a bit of life about her again so I would rather take my chances with the steroids.  Have a look around that site if you still need info as it helped me but I would like to find out if it were a 'cocker thing'.(hence me researching here).

[Helen]

I'm glad you found CIMDA - we always recommend on COL going to the CIMDA forum for information re auto immune conditions   

[coopersmum]

Sorry I've been really quiet, been having a tough time on clinic rotations and barely get a chance to get my "COL fix" anymore
I'm so sorry your baby has IMPA but I'm glad that Saffy has had a good response to treatment and that the lameness is improving. It is quite a shock to the system to watch your vibrant young dog become a virtual cripple and retreat into themselves. It was a very dark time in Coop's and my life CIMDA is a great site, I also found it and have received a lot of support and great advice from there. Hope Saffy continues to do well and that the IMPA goes into remission quickly. Coop sends wags to Saffy and says to 'hang in there' things will get better  

[saffysmum]

Thanks for the words of encouragement that we'll get through this!  But I think I spoke too soon and we are having another doozy of a relapse at the minute and that's before we even tried to drop the steroid dose at all.  Vet wants to drop the dose slightly as she has now been on the max dose for more than a week, which is too much for her long term but we are still a bit between the devil and the deep blue.  Don't know what's worse!

[Deb H]

Sorry you are going through this with Saffy you have my heartfelt sympathies. Jasper my boy has lupus which is also autoimmune but he has poly arthritis with it. We nearly lost him then got him into remission then he had a really bad relapse but we got him into remission again so please don't lose hope. Jasper was on high doses of pred as well as other immunosuppressive drugs for quite a while. He has been of pred for five years now albeit a low dose these days but he will never come off them now. Pred has its good and bad points but for us it has been a lifesaver. Let me know how your girl is getting on. Deb and Jasper.