Related Experiment Videos
Pemphigus foliaceus in 91 dogs
Ralf S Mueller1, Ingar Krebs, Helen T Power
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
|April 14, 2006
Summary
Pemphigus foliaceus in dogs often presents with crusts and alopecia. Treatment with prednisolone, alone or with azathioprine, can lead to remission or improvement in most affected dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Immunobullous Diseases
Background:
- Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune skin disease affecting dogs.
- Clinical signs include crusting, pustules, and alopecia, commonly on the trunk, ears, face, and footpads.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze clinical findings and treatment outcomes in dogs with pemphigus foliaceus.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 91 dogs diagnosed with pemphigus foliaceus.
- Evaluation of clinical signs, lesion distribution, and cytological findings.
- Assessment of treatment efficacy with prednisolone alone versus combination therapy.
Main Results:
- Crusts, pustules, and alopecia were common clinical signs.
- Acantholytic keratinocytes were identified in 37 of 48 dogs via cytology.
- Combination therapy (prednisolone and azathioprine) showed comparable results to prednisolone monotherapy.
- Over 50% of dogs achieved remission, with an additional 25% showing significant improvement.
Conclusions:
- Pemphigus foliaceus is characterized by specific clinical and cytological findings.
- Both monotherapy and combination therapy with prednisolone are effective in managing pemphigus foliaceus.
- A significant majority of dogs can achieve remission or improvement with appropriate treatment.