Diagnosis and Management of Pemphigus Complex Autoimmune Skin Diseases in Dogs - Case Report - Abstract
Autoimmune skin diseases have been recognized for decades in humans and dogs. Out of 357 canine cases of various skin affections presented to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, 8 cases were suspected to be of autoimmune etiology. Those cases were having history of pruritus, alopecia, scaling, and erythema, ulceration at muco-cutaneous junction of face, footpad and ventral abdomen. Clinical examination revealed normal rectal temperature, heart rate and respiration rate in four dogs whereas fever, lameness and recumbency were noticed in other four dogs. No
significant changes noticed in haemato-biochemical values. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from skin swabs. Histopathologic examination of skin biopsy samples revealed mononuclear cell infiltration, epidermal spongiosis with discontinuity in epidermis which is suggestive of Pemphigus foliaceus. Therapeutic management was done with Prednisolone @ 2 mg/Kg BW, PO, BID for initial 10 days and then with maintenance dose @ 1 mg/Kg BW, PO, BID for another 15 days, Tab. Cefadroxil @ 22 mg/kg BW, PO, BID for 28 days to control secondary bacterial infection along with supportive therapy using
antioxidant, Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids supplementation and Ketaconazole plus Chlorhexidine shampoo for topical application. Marked improvement was noticed after two weeks of therapy and complete recovery was noticed after eight weeks.