Since we are not vets, the following is our lay interpretation. According to veterinarians, SLO (Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy) is an auto-immune disease where the body mistakenly attacks itself. It is similar to the body's response with Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) or Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA). In the case of Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy, the body forms antibodies against its toe nails and literally rejects them. Prednisone and Prednisolone are the most commonly prescribed drugs and while it does suppress the body's immune system from attacking itself, it does nothing to make the toe nails grow back. We suspect any hormonal changes and/or malfunctioning glands in the brain (pineal, pituitary or hypothalamus) could trigger such auto-immune conditions.
We have been using bio-algae concentrates (Spirulina pacifica, Spirulina platensis, Dunaliella salina and astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis) since 2002 and many dogs have recovered from auto-immune conditions such as SLO, IMHA and AIHA. Since we are not medically trained, our best guess (based on 20+ years of animal research) is that bio-algae concentrates have the ability to awaken the glands in the brain, which in turn balance the body's immune system. Bio-algae concentrates supply super nutrients to the body at the cellular level (microalgae are one cell organisms), rather than trying to 'fix' the problem with specific drugs or supplements. We see very quick results after starting bio-algae concentrates. Bio-algae concentrates also contain super nutrients (specifically antioxidants Dunaliella and the carotenoid Astaxanthin) that can literally awaken the glands in the brain (pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus) which control all the other glands and organs of the body. When the master gland in the brain (pituitary) has awakened and all the other glands and organs are holistically balanced, then the body can naturally function normally and resume producing healthy toe nails. Bio-algae concentrates allow the body to heal from within rather than "fixing" the condition from without (using external drugs and supplements).
If your dog is middle-age to senior, has been fed (nutrient deficient) dry kibble all its life or you vaccinate annually with all the shots, then based on our nutritional experience with the products we suggest starting with the bio-algae concentrate formula with the most antioxidants and least amount of nutrition. The antioxidants and super nutrition can cross the blood/brain barrier and balance the glands in the brain that are in charge of the entire endocrine system and immune systems. If your dog is young to middle-age, you do not exclusively feed dry kibble or do not give annual shots, then your dog might do well on the bio-algae concentrate formula with more general nutrition and less antioxidants. If you do not see significant results after 60-90 days, then you need to try the formula with more antioxidants and less nutrition.