I adopted a 7-10-year-old, Chi-Terrier mix. He has pemphigoid onychodystrophy. His nails are bad, some thick and some break off. Vet recommended [pharmaceutical name removed], but that was $100! I am worried about giving antibiotics. Any suggestions?
Pemphigoid Onychodystrophy, or Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (SLO), is an uncommon autoimmune disease of the nails in young to middle-aged dogs. It causes nails to become brittle, split, crack, thicken, or even detach from the nail bed, which can be very painful and lead to secondary infections.
Sometimes, veterinary-prescribed medications can be pricey, but there are always alternatives that you can try, such as purchasing human-grade antibiotics. The dosage would just have to be adjusted accordingly to your little one's weight and size. It might be less costly, and your veterinarian could write you a prescription for it.
In addition to any vet-recommended medications, NHV PetOmega 3 is very beneficial for its nail-strengthening properties. The fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, improve nail health and strength by reducing inflammation, supporting overall nail growth, and reducing nail splitting.
NHV Milk Thistle would be beneficial as it could protect the liver and kidneys from the antibiotics used. It could help detoxify both organs by removing toxins that can build up in a pet's system when taking pharmaceuticals.