Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pemphigus foliaceus in dogs: treatment results and risks
By Gomez, Sheila M et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2004·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Outcome and complications associated with treatment of pemphigus foliaceus in dogs: 43 cases (1994-2000).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 43 dogs with pemphigus foliaceus, a serious skin condition that causes painful blisters and sores, were treated to see how different factors affected their recovery. The study found that dogs who received antibiotics alongside their immunosuppressive treatment had better survival rates, and those who experienced fewer side effects from the treatment also fared better. Unfortunately, the overall survival rate was low, with many dogs needing careful management for more than 10 months to improve their chances of long-term survival. This highlights the importance of close veterinary care and monitoring during treatment.
People also search for: dog pemphigus foliaceus treatment · skin problems in dogs · antibiotics for dog skin conditions
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors affecting prognosis, outcome, and complications associated with pemphigus foliaceus in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 43 dogs with pemphigus foliaceus. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, age at diagnosis, duration to diagnosis, body area affected, initial immunosuppressive regimens and concurrent use of antimicrobials and sucralfate or histamine receptor 2 blocking agent, adverse effects of treatment, duration of treatment, number of visits for follow-up care, cause of death, and credentials of the veterinarians responsible for continued care. RESULTS: The case fatality rate was 60.5%. Factors significantly correlated with survival time included concurrent use of antimicrobials during initiation of immunosuppressive treatment and a lower number of adverse effects to treatment. Treatment times lasting more than 10 months from diagnosis correlated significantly with survival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Treatment with or prophylactic use of antimicrobials may be warranted during initial immunosuppressive treatment. The inverse correlation between survival time and number of adverse treatment effects was not unexpected because it was reflective of the owners' decision to euthanatize their dogs and of corticosteroid-related secondary diseases. Survival beyond the tenth month of treatment predicted long-term survival, which suggests that dogs require careful management during the early months of treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15112781/