Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with symmetrical hair loss and skin darkening from lupus
By Olivry, T & Linder, K E·Published in Veterinary pathology·2013·NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bilaterally symmetrical alopecia with reticulated hyperpigmentation: a manifestation of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a dog with systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old male Doberman Pinscher was brought in with hair loss on various parts of his body, including the chest and belly, along with skin changes like dark patches and scaling. Over time, he also showed signs of fever, tiredness, joint pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Tests revealed issues like low red blood cells and protein in his urine, leading to a diagnosis of a skin condition linked to systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease. Treatment for this condition often involves immunosuppressive medications, which can help manage symptoms and improve the dog's quality of life.
People also search for: dog hair loss treatment · Doberman Pinscher lupus symptoms · autoimmune skin disease in dogs
Abstract
An adult castrated male Doberman Pinscher was presented with a 6-month history of well-demarcated alopecic patches with reticulated hyperpigmentation and fine peripheral scaling on the axillae, thorax, abdomen, inguinal region, and thighs. The dog later developed hyperthermia, lethargy, apparent joint pain, peripheral lymphadenomegaly, vomiting, and diarrhea. Relevant laboratory tests results included anemia, thrombocytopenia, proteinuria, and an elevated antinuclear antibodies serum titer. Histologically, skin biopsy specimens had a lymphocyte-rich interface dermatitis and interface mural folliculitis ending in follicular destruction. Altogether, these signs were consistent with a unique alopecic variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, eventually associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. This rare form of chronic cutaneous lupus needs to be added to the expanding list of lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune alopecias in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23051917/