Auto-Immune Disease - Pemphigus
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| Definition / Overview | Causes / Symptoms | Hypothyroidism |
| Pemphigus | Canine Lupus | Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia |
About Pemphigus Disease in Dogs
Three other major potential diseases may result from canine auto-immune disease:
The first is Pemphigus. Clinically, dogs with pemphigus will present with ulcers
that affect the oral cavity and skin areas bordering the mouth, nose, eyes, anus,
and genitalia. The lesions often progress to involve the skin, especially in
areas of friction, such as the groin and armpits. In rare dogs, the lesions are
restricted to the skin, to the nose, or to the borders of the nails. Ulcerated
skin and mucosal lesions generally are painful; the pets thus are reluctant to
eat, and they will begin to lose weight. Deep skin lesions commonly become infected
with skin bacteria.
Pemphigus Disease Symptoms
The more common forms of pemphigus produce scaling skin, scabbiness, and sometimes pus-filled sores that look like pimples. Early in pemphigus foliaceus, the disease may be confined to the head and feet, making it hard to distinguish from pemphigus erythematosus. Later it spreads to more of the body. Careful examination of the skin may reveal the presence of blisters, which are very indicative of these diseases. The blisters rupture quickly and may not be seen.
There are several skin disorders within the pemphigus complex. They all have one thing in common, in that the body produces harmful antibodies, this time against the outer layer of the skin.
Breeds Commonly Affected by Pemphigus
Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common of these diseases in the dog. It is seen more often in Akitas, Chow Chows, Dachshunds, Bearded Collies, Doberman Pinschers, Finnish Spitzes, and Newfoundland dogs. Pemphigus erythematosus is second most common and may just be a milder form of pemphigus foliaceus. It is seen more commonly in Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, and German Shepherds.
Pemphigus Vulgaris Symptoms
Pemphigus vulgaris is the most severe form of the disease. In this disorder, there is severe ulceration of the skin, usually where "normal" skin meets "specialized" skin, around the mouth, anus, prepuce, nose, and vagina. The mouth is almost always affected. Secondary complications are more common with pemphigus vulgaris than other forms of Pemphigus, and can be very severe.
Pemphigus vegetans may be a less severe form of pemphigus vulgaris, but it does look different. In this form of pemphigus there are warty growths that may ulcerate. Many diseases can look like pemphigus disorders.
Testing and Treatment of Pemphigus
Diagnosis of pemphigus is best done by skin biopsy. Sometimes specialized testing must be done on the biopsy samples—often by doing them again. Treatment of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus can be pretty frustrating. Treatment of pemphigus erythematosus and pemphigus vegetans may not be necessary or is usually possible with topical corticosteroids or low to medium dosages of prednisone. Due to the serious immunosuppressive tendencies of the medications used to treat pemphigus diseases, it is usually necessary to closely monitor the health of pets under treatment. To succeed in keeping a dog comfortable when affected by the more severe pemphigus diseases, the client and veterinarian must cooperate closely. Teamwork is important in treating pemphigus.
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