Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with severe skin disease improves after immune therapy
By Ramos, Sara J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2020·From the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (S.J.R.·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Erythema Multiforme Major in a Dog Treated with Intravenous Human Immunoglobulin and Immunosuppressive Therapy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet after experiencing 7 weeks of decreased appetite, tiredness, and severe skin sores. The vet diagnosed the dog with a serious skin condition called erythema multiforme major, which caused painful lesions on the skin. Initially, the dog was treated with multiple medications, but after 36 hours with no improvement, the vet gave an intravenous treatment of human immunoglobulin. This treatment worked quickly, and within 2 hours the dog showed better energy and appetite, with significant skin healing in just 48 hours. The dog continued to improve and was nearly fully healed a month later, with all medications stopped after five months.
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Abstract
An ∼12 yr old castrated mixed-breed dog was evaluated for a 7 wk progressive history of intermittent hyporexia, lethargy, and erosive dermatitis. Initial examination revealed disseminated papules and macules coalescing to irregularly shaped and serpiginous plaques with widespread erosion progressing to ulceration. Skin histopathology revealed transepidermal keratinocyte apoptosis with lymphocyte satellitosis and lymphocytic and histiocytic interface infiltrate. Histopathology combined with clinical signs and history were compatible with the diagnosis of erythema multiforme major. Treatment was initiated with multidrug immunosuppression. Following 36 hr with no improvement, intravenous human immunoglobulin (0.45 mg/kg IV) was administered resulting in notable improvement in the dog's attitude and appetite within 2 hr and the dog's skin lesions within 48 hr. Following discharge, the dog improved daily with near complete resolution of dermatologic disease achieved 1 mo postdischarge. All immunosuppressive medications were ultimately discontinued 5 mo following presentation. This is the first report of a dog with erythema multiforme major that has been successfully treated with a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin and immunosuppression.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31961218/