Corticosteroid (methylprednisolone sodium succinate) pulse therapy in five dogs with autoimmune skin disease.
Corticosteroid pulse therapy is the parenteral administration of suprapharmacologic doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate for short periods. Five dogs diagnosed as having autoimmune skin disease were treated, using pulse therapy, with subsequent dramatic and rapid improvement of skin lesions. The dogs had no adverse clinical signs attributable to the treatment. All dogs had a relapse of clinical signs after a maintenance protocol (0.5 mg/kg, q 48 h) of orally administered prednisone was started. Skin lesions on 4 of 5 dogs eventually were controlled by prednisone, azathioprine, or gold therapy.
White
S D
SD
Department of Medicine, Tufts University, School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536.
Stewart
L J
LJ
Bernstein
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000662:veterinary; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D008775:Methylprednisolone