Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Great Dane with severe blistering and ulcers on mouth and ears
By Hill, P B et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2008·Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in a Great Dane.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A Great Dane was brought to the vet with severe blisters and sores in the mouth, ears, and on the legs. After testing, the dog was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, which causes the skin to blister easily. The vet treated the dog with a combination of medications, including steroids and immunosuppressants, which led to complete healing. Remarkably, after a year of treatment, the medications were stopped, and the dog stayed healthy without any signs of the disease returning.
People also search for: Great Dane skin blisters · autoimmune skin disease in dogs · treatment for dog blisters · dog oral sores treatment
Abstract
Autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases in dogs were all classified as bullous pemphigoid until 1998. Since then, refinements in reagents and immunological techniques have allowed diseases which are histologically similar but which have a different molecular pathogenesis to be described. This report describes the first case of one such disease, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, to be documented in the UK. The dog presented with a severe blistering and ulcerative disease affecting the oral cavity, pinnae and distal limbs. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and direct and indirect immunofluorescent demonstration of immunoglobulin G reactivity to basement membrane antigens. Treatment with glucocorticoids, azathioprine, colchicine and an intravenous infusion of immunoglobulins resulted in complete resolution. The drugs were discontinued 12 months after the start of treatment and the dog remained in remission.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17784932/