Canine pemphigus vulgaris

[hoodle]

I know we can't discuss medical advice, but I was wondering if anyone's had any experience living with a dog with pemphigus vulgaris. My parents' ~5 yr old German Shepherd has just been diagnosed. He's always had a tendency towards what we thought were seasonal grass allergies (his paws would get red and inflamed in the spring, and he'd lick them and lick them and seem somewhat uncomfortable, and then it'd go away again).

Just recently, he hadn't been eating well for a week (but not total anorexia, just reduced or erratic appetite) and my parents also noticed that he was less mobile then usual. They noticed his paws had what looked like little abrasions, and as we live on a farm, they assumed he had some kind of local trauma (had chased something into a blackberry bush or something) and that it would go away. it didn't - got worse - and then when they brought him in, the vet was able to find little pimply blisters on his mouth (hence the appetite reduction), his eyelids (!), his paws, etc. My parents had just never looked that closely for these tiny little red pimples all over.

I guess Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease which occurs in people as well. Robeson's currently on massive painkillers, and has over 10 biopsies taken to confirm the rare diagnosis. We assume he'll need steroids, and some resources say other immunosuppresive agents as well, ahh. How do dogs normally respond to this? Does anyone know if it's more of a seasonal or incidental flareup-type condition - ie, steroids until a flare goes down, and then normal life until it comes back again - or if it's more chronic? Any ideas about care for a large dog with thick fur with a derm condition - shampoos? (he never gets baths...) foods... etc.

I know we can't do medical advice here, but I'm sort of reeling with this diagnosis (and I don't yet have any vet textbooks!!) and would love some input.

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[winglessflight]

I can't help too much with specifics, but we do have a client with a mini Aussie that has the same condition. I know he's on a bunch of medications, that get a bit pricey. However, on the medications the dog still has a great quality of life. In the beginning he came in frequently for bloodwork, then it slowed down a bit. He got a bit anemic, I'm not sure if it was from that or another condition, but now has settled down and comes in infrequently. He's a great dog, and his skin although not 100% has settled down on the medications. The owners feel that even though pricey, he has enough quality of life to justify the cost.

I hope that helps a little
Good luck with your parents dog

 

[critterfixer]

My late husky had this condition. She did very well on azathioprine, however, it can be liver toxic and cause bone marrow suppression, and some vets prefer to try cyclosporine. If the dog can handle long term pred, I think that's another option.

She had only a couple of minor flare ups after we started her on the azathioprine. We did have to check her blood cell count weekly for about a month when she started on it to be sure it was not suppressing her marrow, but after that, she was able to go on a low dose every other day, and it kept everything under control. I even had vets ask me if I was sure she had pemphigus because it was so well controlled, you wouldn't have known it.

 

[dvm'08]

A GSD on pred will drive you insane. The side affects (PU/PD and the polyphagia), in my experience, in big dogs are quite profound. If you can afford cyclosporin, it would be the way I would go (+/- azathioprine).

 

[PAThbrd]

Please talk to your VMD/DVM for medical advice. Closing thread.