Pemphigus Foliaceous in Dogs
Pemphigus foliaceous is a skin condition that can be fatal to dogs. It's an autoimmune disease; the dog's immune system causes a response when it thinks that a glycoprotein in the skin (called desmoglein 1) is foreign. Desmoglein 1 is involved in binding cells to the outermost layer of the skin. When antibodies attach themselves to the glycoprotein, it causes them to come apart from the skin. The pockets fill with fluid, creating ugly pustules.
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Appearance
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Pemphigus foliaceous usually begins on the face or head of the dog and, without treatment, works its way down the animal's body. The disease creates blisters or pustules that rupture and give the skin a crusty, dry appearance.
Symptoms
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Oftentimes, pustules and blisters are preceded by the presence of a fever in dogs with pemphigus foliaceous. Such dogs also might become more docile than normal or refuse to eat. While these symptoms don't necessarily mean that a dog has pemphigus foliaceous, they should be taken seriously.
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Treatment
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Dogs that have pemphigus foliaceous need to be given drugs that suppress the immune system and stop the production of antibodies that attack skin cells. High doses of drugs like prednisone and azathioprine are usually prescribed by veterinarians for this purpose.
Considerations
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Older dogs tend to get pemphigus foliaceous more frequently than younger dogs do. The disease also affects certain breeds of dogs more often than others; dobermans, chows, collies and akitas are among the breeds that tend to be most susceptible to the disease.
Warning
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It is unknown what causes pemphigus foliaceous in dogs, so there really are no means of prevention. Once a dog is diagnosed, it's essential to follow up with a vet about the dog's condition. The medicines used to combat the disease vary, as do their side effects, so close observation of the dog is crucial to receiving proper treatment.
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