Outcome and complications associated with treatment of pemphigus foliaceus in dogs: 43 cases (1994-2000).
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors affecting prognosis, outcome, and complications associated with pemphigus foliaceus in dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
43 dogs with pemphigus foliaceus.


METHODS
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
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.
Gomez
Sheila M
SM
Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Morris
Daniel O
DO
Rosenbaum
Michele R
MR
Goldschmidt
Michael H
MH
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013392:Sucralfate