buckthesystem Posted April 18, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 1,706 Topics Per Day: 0.26 Content Count: 3,386 Content Per Day: 0.51 Reputation: 3 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/12/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/10/1955 Share Posted April 18, 2007 http://www.stuff.co.nz/4030467a10.html Thursday, 19 Apr 2007 Traumatised pooch suffers white-out Rottweiler Rommel is slowly changing from black to white. A rare skin disease called vitiligo is turning his black coat white around his eyes, mouth, body and bottom. "He's just getting whiter and whiter," says owner and Grey Lynn veterinary nurse Vanessa Townsend-Paley. "Even his nails that were once black are turning white." The six-year-old is believed to be the first rottweiler with vitiligo in Australasia. The disease, which also affects humans - most famously singer Michael Jackson - and other animals, attacks the cells that produce skin pigment melanin. When melanin production stops, skin loses its pigmentation and turns white. But doctors don't know what causes it and have no cure. "Rommel's the only one in the whole litter of 13 that's changed colour," says Ms Townsend-Paley, 32. Vitiligo is genetic but some believe it can be triggered by stress or trauma. Rommel broke his leg six months before the vitiligo surfaced. Ms Townsend-Paley believes the trauma only sped up what was going to happen anyway. She noticed something was wrong when Rommel started losing the pigment around his mouth. The North Shore resident works at Grey Lynn Vetcare. She asked veterinarian Alex Melrose to treat the problem but it didn't go away. "Then Rommel started to develop white spots on his back, one then more," Ms Townsend-Paley says. "That's when we started questioning what was going on." She combed the internet for more information and after Rommel developed about 30 spots overnight, a biopsy revealed vitiligo. "Everyone was just blown away," she says. "Then it was like well, what do we do from here?" Dr Melrose suggested she try copper supplements and high doses of vitamins to help restore pigment and regulate the immune system. "But that hasn't stopped it or slowed it down," Ms Townsend-Paley says. "You just don't ever see a case like this. I've tried everything. Most people say it's untreatable. "Rommel's in perfect health otherwise but now he's not taking anything. We're just letting it take its course because nothing's worked. "It's just a case of wait and see." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymba22 Posted April 18, 2007 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 22 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 588 Content Per Day: 0.08 Reputation: 5 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/14/2004 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/06/1967 Share Posted April 18, 2007 My daughter was born with this...she has it quite severe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckthesystem Posted April 19, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 1,706 Topics Per Day: 0.26 Content Count: 3,386 Content Per Day: 0.51 Reputation: 3 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/12/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/10/1955 Author Share Posted April 19, 2007 My daughter was born with this...she has it quite severe. Does she have a problem with going out in the sun? I've never heard of anyone having it except Michael Jackson, so maybe the answer is obvious but I don't know. What do you do for your daughter, treatment-wise I mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetycakes Posted April 19, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 162 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 7,867 Content Per Day: 1.13 Reputation: 2,122 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/21/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/23/1964 Share Posted April 19, 2007 http://www.stuff.co.nz/4030467a10.html Thursday, 19 Apr 2007 Traumatised pooch suffers white-out Rottweiler Rommel is slowly changing from black to white. A rare skin disease called vitiligo is turning his black coat white around his eyes, mouth, body and bottom. "He's just getting whiter and whiter," says owner and Grey Lynn veterinary nurse Vanessa Townsend-Paley. "Even his nails that were once black are turning white." The six-year-old is believed to be the first rottweiler with vitiligo in Australasia. The disease, which also affects humans - most famously singer Michael Jackson - and other animals, attacks the cells that produce skin pigment melanin. When melanin production stops, skin loses its pigmentation and turns white. But doctors don't know what causes it and have no cure. "Rommel's the only one in the whole litter of 13 that's changed colour," says Ms Townsend-Paley, 32. Vitiligo is genetic but some believe it can be triggered by stress or trauma. Rommel broke his leg six months before the vitiligo surfaced. Ms Townsend-Paley believes the trauma only sped up what was going to happen anyway. She noticed something was wrong when Rommel started losing the pigment around his mouth. The North Shore resident works at Grey Lynn Vetcare. She asked veterinarian Alex Melrose to treat the problem but it didn't go away. "Then Rommel started to develop white spots on his back, one then more," Ms Townsend-Paley says. "That's when we started questioning what was going on." She combed the internet for more information and after Rommel developed about 30 spots overnight, a biopsy revealed vitiligo. "Everyone was just blown away," she says. "Then it was like well, what do we do from here?" Dr Melrose suggested she try copper supplements and high doses of vitamins to help restore pigment and regulate the immune system. "But that hasn't stopped it or slowed it down," Ms Townsend-Paley says. "You just don't ever see a case like this. I've tried everything. Most people say it's untreatable. "Rommel's in perfect health otherwise but now he's not taking anything. We're just letting it take its course because nothing's worked. "It's just a case of wait and see." You know....I have the same problem.... It mainly affects my HAIR! I used to think (because I was TOLD so) that this was down to old age.... Now I know that it's a youthful disease that can afflict anyone! Thanks, Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyAngeL Posted April 19, 2007 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 22 Topic Count: 155 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 7,464 Content Per Day: 1.02 Reputation: 8,810 Days Won: 57 Joined: 03/30/2004 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/12/1952 Share Posted April 19, 2007 My dog could turn navy blue and I would still love him. As long as he's healthy. That's whata counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymba22 Posted April 20, 2007 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 22 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 588 Content Per Day: 0.08 Reputation: 5 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/14/2004 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/06/1967 Share Posted April 20, 2007 My daughter was born with this...she has it quite severe. Does she have a problem with going out in the sun? I've never heard of anyone having it except Michael Jackson, so maybe the answer is obvious but I don't know. What do you do for your daughter, treatment-wise I mean? She can go out on a generally warm day...but on hot days her skin just blisters...she was given tabs at one point but they did not work much and she was due to begin to have laser treatment....but she backed down as she was too nervous (shes 15) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckthesystem Posted April 20, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 1,706 Topics Per Day: 0.26 Content Count: 3,386 Content Per Day: 0.51 Reputation: 3 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/12/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/10/1955 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 http://www.stuff.co.nz/4030467a10.html Thursday, 19 Apr 2007 Traumatised pooch suffers white-out Rottweiler Rommel is slowly changing from black to white. A rare skin disease called vitiligo is turning his black coat white around his eyes, mouth, body and bottom. "He's just getting whiter and whiter," says owner and Grey Lynn veterinary nurse Vanessa Townsend-Paley. "Even his nails that were once black are turning white." The six-year-old is believed to be the first rottweiler with vitiligo in Australasia. The disease, which also affects humans - most famously singer Michael Jackson - and other animals, attacks the cells that produce skin pigment melanin. When melanin production stops, skin loses its pigmentation and turns white. But doctors don't know what causes it and have no cure. "Rommel's the only one in the whole litter of 13 that's changed colour," says Ms Townsend-Paley, 32. Vitiligo is genetic but some believe it can be triggered by stress or trauma. Rommel broke his leg six months before the vitiligo surfaced. Ms Townsend-Paley believes the trauma only sped up what was going to happen anyway. She noticed something was wrong when Rommel started losing the pigment around his mouth. The North Shore resident works at Grey Lynn Vetcare. She asked veterinarian Alex Melrose to treat the problem but it didn't go away. "Then Rommel started to develop white spots on his back, one then more," Ms Townsend-Paley says. "That's when we started questioning what was going on." She combed the internet for more information and after Rommel developed about 30 spots overnight, a biopsy revealed vitiligo. "Everyone was just blown away," she says. "Then it was like well, what do we do from here?" Dr Melrose suggested she try copper supplements and high doses of vitamins to help restore pigment and regulate the immune system. "But that hasn't stopped it or slowed it down," Ms Townsend-Paley says. "You just don't ever see a case like this. I've tried everything. Most people say it's untreatable. "Rommel's in perfect health otherwise but now he's not taking anything. We're just letting it take its course because nothing's worked. "It's just a case of wait and see." You know....I have the same problem.... It mainly affects my HAIR! I used to think (because I was TOLD so) that this was down to old age.... Now I know that it's a youthful disease that can afflict anyone! Thanks, Buck Stephen the way you are talking, you'd think you were OLD. You are only 42, you can't have white hair already. I am coming up to 52 and I have just started to get grey hairs in the last few months. I always thought I'd dye my hair when I went grey, but I can't be bothered, and going by people I know who dye their hair it is obvious anyway, so I might as well leave things alone and I might get a "pensioners' discount" or something, you never know. Keep using the oil of Ulan and the preparation H on your face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetycakes Posted April 20, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 162 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 7,867 Content Per Day: 1.13 Reputation: 2,122 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/21/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/23/1964 Share Posted April 20, 2007 http://www.stuff.co.nz/4030467a10.html Thursday, 19 Apr 2007 Traumatised pooch suffers white-out Rottweiler Rommel is slowly changing from black to white. A rare skin disease called vitiligo is turning his black coat white around his eyes, mouth, body and bottom. "He's just getting whiter and whiter," says owner and Grey Lynn veterinary nurse Vanessa Townsend-Paley. "Even his nails that were once black are turning white." The six-year-old is believed to be the first rottweiler with vitiligo in Australasia. The disease, which also affects humans - most famously singer Michael Jackson - and other animals, attacks the cells that produce skin pigment melanin. When melanin production stops, skin loses its pigmentation and turns white. But doctors don't know what causes it and have no cure. "Rommel's the only one in the whole litter of 13 that's changed colour," says Ms Townsend-Paley, 32. Vitiligo is genetic but some believe it can be triggered by stress or trauma. Rommel broke his leg six months before the vitiligo surfaced. Ms Townsend-Paley believes the trauma only sped up what was going to happen anyway. She noticed something was wrong when Rommel started losing the pigment around his mouth. The North Shore resident works at Grey Lynn Vetcare. She asked veterinarian Alex Melrose to treat the problem but it didn't go away. "Then Rommel started to develop white spots on his back, one then more," Ms Townsend-Paley says. "That's when we started questioning what was going on." She combed the internet for more information and after Rommel developed about 30 spots overnight, a biopsy revealed vitiligo. "Everyone was just blown away," she says. "Then it was like well, what do we do from here?" Dr Melrose suggested she try copper supplements and high doses of vitamins to help restore pigment and regulate the immune system. "But that hasn't stopped it or slowed it down," Ms Townsend-Paley says. "You just don't ever see a case like this. I've tried everything. Most people say it's untreatable. "Rommel's in perfect health otherwise but now he's not taking anything. We're just letting it take its course because nothing's worked. "It's just a case of wait and see." You know....I have the same problem.... It mainly affects my HAIR! I used to think (because I was TOLD so) that this was down to old age.... Now I know that it's a youthful disease that can afflict anyone! Thanks, Buck Stephen the way you are talking, you'd think you were OLD. You are only 42, you can't have white hair already. I am coming up to 52 and I have just started to get grey hairs in the last few months. I always thought I'd dye my hair when I went grey, but I can't be bothered, and going by people I know who dye their hair it is obvious anyway, so I might as well leave things alone and I might get a "pensioners' discount" or something, you never know. Keep using the oil of Ulan and the preparation H on your face. You know me too well, Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymba22 Posted September 30, 2008 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 22 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 588 Content Per Day: 0.08 Reputation: 5 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/14/2004 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/06/1967 Share Posted September 30, 2008 My daughter was born with this...she has it quite severe. Does she have a problem with going out in the sun? I've never heard of anyone having it except Michael Jackson, so maybe the answer is obvious but I don't know. What do you do for your daughter, treatment-wise I mean? creams and laser treatments are avalible to her...but she choses just to ignore it...I am more fussed over it than her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floatingaxe Posted September 30, 2008 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 62 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 9,613 Content Per Day: 1.45 Reputation: 656 Days Won: 9 Joined: 03/11/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 05/31/1952 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Both my mother-in-law and my husband have vitiligo. It's a bother, especially in the summer for my husband because he tans so easily and very darkly, so the white areas are noticeable. Staying out of the direct sun is imperative as the loss of pigment creates a vulnerability to the harmful sun's rays and skin cancer is a higher risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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