Canine pododermatitis and idiopathic disease.
Pododermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease of dogs. As pedal lesions are reported in many canine dermatoses, a methodical series of diagnostic tests is required to establish the underlying aetiology. However, laboratory/ancillary investigations may prove unrewarding, prompting a diagnosis of idiopathic disease. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of idiopathic pododermatitis including pedal conformation, trauma, immunosuppression, bacterial infection, furunculosis and dermal granuloma formation. Idiopathic pododermatitis accounts for 0.5% of all dermatology referrals to the authors' clinic. A sub-group within this population is characterised histopathologically by epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, spongiosis, dermal oedema and perivascular aggregates of lymphocytes and plasma cells. The term lymphocytic-plasmacytic pododermatitis (LPP) has previously been proposed to reflect the histological appearance of such lesions. Affected dogs, although systemically well, characteristically have pruritus, erythema, swelling, pain and alopecia of the feet. Although non-responsive to antimicrobial therapy, antiparasitic agents and elimination diets, these dogs typically respond well to immunomodulatory therapy.
Breathnach
Rory M
RM
School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland. rory.breathnach@ucd.ie
Fanning
Shay
S
Mulcahy
Grace
G
Bassett
Hugh F
HF
Jones
Boyd R
BR
D000818:Animals; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000662:veterinary