Skin diseases are among the diseases most feared by dog owners. Not only do they damage the physical appearance of the animal, but they can also significantly reduce its quality of life, compromising its health in a dangerous way. We know that the overall management of skin diseases is quite complicated, because many skin lesions are similar and this tends to confuse people. In many cases, the development of the disease makes early identification difficult and, when the guardian notices, the veterinarian has a little more trouble making a quick and effective resolution.
In this article by Animal Expert, we will talk about a very popular skin disease in veterinary medicine called “pemphigus”. Know all the information about pemphigus in dogs, their symptoms and treatments.
- The pemphigu glyph complex is an autoimmune tegumentary condition (type II hypersensitivity).
- Characterized by the appearance of some generally very varied lesions.
- Injuries can range from vesiculobolics/pustules (cloques and pustules) to erosive/ulcers.
It is a rare disease, but has been extensively studied due to its pathology. As an autoimmune disease, histological tests to confirm the disease show antibodies that, in this case, lose their function and attack the healthy cells and tissues of the body. Therefore, if the affected antibodies are in deeper layers of the skin, the disease will manifest more severely. It should be noted that, in some cases, gum tissue may also be affected.
The symptom most associated with pemphigus is atonysis, which is defined as the separation and decomposition of skin cells due to the antibody deposits present.
Depending on the lesions that occur, pemphigus in dogs can be classified as follows:
Signs that can be seen on the skin can also be differentiated by many factors. Of course, they are influenced by the type of pemphigus in question, but the patient’s immune status plays a key role in skin deterioration. The age, breed and nutritional status of the animal are very important factors in the perception of the development of the disease. Signs and symptoms of pemphigus in dogs depending on their type are:
Usually, with this type of pemphigus are usually affected the ears, pads and head of the dog, although generalized lesions are also usually observed. Symptoms include:
In the image, there is a case of foliaceous pemphigus
In addition to all foliaceous pemphigus lesions, erythematous pemphigus may be differentiated by loss of lip color. Similarly, in this type of pemphigus there is usually no generalized deterioration, since the areas of the head and ears are the most affected.
As mentioned above, this type of pemphigus is the most serious of all. The ulcers usually spread to virtually all of the dog’s skin and deepen, so they are accompanied by obvious symptoms of depression in the patient, in addition to the following:
This type of canine pemphigus has few or no symptoms of general illness. Injuries are usually suppurative and do not affect the mouth in most cases.
No, because it is an autoimmune disease, pemphigus in dogs is not contagious. At this point, it is important to remember that it is a skin disease that occurs because certain antibodies stop performing their function and attack healthy cells and tissues. Therefore, there is no possibility of contagion.
Diagnosis of this skin disease is based on a correct history and laboratory tests, as skin lesions can have multiple causes. The location of the lesions may adequately guide the veterinarian who may have the diagnosis of pemphigus in mind, but the final decision depends on the laboratory. Skin biopsy is indicated, as well as the use of Wood’s lamp, an instrument used to rule out conditions associated with fungi in dogs. Even when only the skin is affected, the veterinarian may have more information about your patient by performing a complete haematological examination.
There are two very important tests in the diagnosis of immunological diseases, and they are used when pemphigus enters the presumptive diagnosis. These tests (direct immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry) allow you to know with certainty if immunoglobulin deposits affect the tissue exist, which helps the veterinarian to reach its definitive diagnosis.
Even today, there is much controversy in the treatment of pemphigus in dogs, however, there is no doubt that immunosuppressive therapies are the safest and most used by veterinarians. There are several pharmacological strategies to combat immunomediated diseases and glucocorticoids have gained importance in this area, being the drugs of choice to treat pemphigus in dogs.
In addition to establishing immunosuppressive treatment, it is important to consider whether lesions do not have secondary infections, which should be treated with antibiotics if necessary. It has been reported that some patients with pemphigus may need life-support treatment. Similarly, it will be the specialist who will determine how to heal the wounds caused by the skin disease.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read more articles similar to Pemphigus in dogs – Causes, symptoms and treatments, we recommend that you visit our Skin Problems section.