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Common names or abbreviations:
 | Pemphigus |
Description or definition:
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There are several related immune
mediated skin disorders called pemphigus including, pemphigus foliaceus,
pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus erythematosus and pemphigus
vegetans. All of the pemphigus conditions involve an autoimmune
response whereby the dog’s body
produces antibodies against its own epidermis (the outer layer of the
skin). Auto immune disease is when the
body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system. This happens
when the immune system has detected a protein that is a normal part of the
body but fails to recognize it. In effect, the body is trying to
fight off or reject a part of itself.
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Pemphigus vulgaris
(PV): This is the most severe form of pemphigus, and is extremely
rare. The symptoms include severe ulceration of the skin in the
areas of the mouth, nose, ears, eyes, anus, and genitalia. The
lesions may progress to other areas of the skin, especially in areas
of frictions such as the groin and armpits.
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Pemphigus foliaceas
(PF): This is the most commonly seen form of pemphigus. It
presents as pustules (puss filled blisters or pimples) just under the
surface of the skin. These pustules burst and dry into crusts or
scabs. The crusting/scabbing can be generalized (present over
the entire body), but is most often confined to the head. It
typically begins at the nose (either on the haired part, or on the
nose pad itself) and from there will spread to the skin around the
eyes and the ears. Occasionally, the footpads and nail area can
be affected, and the dog can present with sloughing of the foot pads.
Other symptoms can include itchiness, alopecia (loss of hair), and
loss of pigment in the nose. Unlike PV, PF does not affect the
oral cavity or other mucosal surfaces. The lesions are more
superficial, and less painful, than PF lesions. Symptoms
typically do not develop until around four years of age.
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Pemphigus
Erythematosus (PE): This
is one of the milder forms of the pemphigus conditions. It is
thought to be a milder version of pemphigus
foliaceas. Symptoms can
include loss of pigment in the nose, itchiness, discharging sores
and/or scabbing. The symptoms usually begin on the bridge of the
nose and generally remain limited to the skin around the nose, eyes,
and the ears. Like PF the symptoms of PE typically do not
develop until the dog is around four years of age.
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| Pemphigus
Vegitans:
Pemphigus vegetans is another of the milder forms of the pemphigus
conditions. It is thought to be a less severe form of pemphigus
vulgaris. In this form of pemphigus, there may be pustules and
papilloma (warty growths) that may ulcerate. The condition is
usually limited to the groin area, but can be generalized. |
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Diagnosis:
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A diagnosis of
pemphigus is made by skin biopsy.
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Treatment:
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Treatment depends on which type of
pemphigus the dog has been diagnosed with. Treatment often involves
the use of prednisone, or another
similar corticosteroid to control the symptoms such as skin scabs and
scaling. Treatment of the milder forms of the condition –
pemphigus erythematosus and pemphigus vegetans – may not be necessary.
When treatment is recommended, the conditions can often be managed with
topical corticosteroids, sun avoidance, and/or low to medium dosages of
prednisone. The more severe forms of pemphigus usually require
lifetime treatment and monitoring. In these forms of the disease, it
sometimes necessary to use the aforementioned treatment in combination
with a second immune suppressive medication, or even chemotherapeutic
agents, to get complete control of the disease. For dogs that have
lost pigment in the nose, protection against the sun is very important to
prevent further flare‑ups of the condition. Dogs should
be kept out of the sun between 10:00 and 3:00 and/or use sunscreens on the
nose with SPF of 15 or higher.
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Links to sites about this disease:
This summary provided by:
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Jessica S
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Wildfire Kennel
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