- Type Disease
Skin
- Name
Lupoid Dermatosis
- Abbreviation
LDx
- Description
This is a recently recognized disorder in young German shorthaired pointers. Inflammation in the skin results in scaling and crusting on the head, the lower legs, and on the scrotum. The areas affected gradually spread and are commonly painful or itchy. There may be an immune component to this condition.
- How Transferred
unknown
- What to Look for
Skin changes are usually noticed at about 6 months of age. The skin on the head, lower legs, and scrotum is affected first, becoming thickened and crusty. The lesions are painful or itchy, and commonly spread, or may wax and wane. The nails may fall out and some dogs develop a fever and swollen lymph nodes.
- Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made through a skin biopsy. This is a simple procedure done with local anesthetic, in which your veterinarian removes a small sample of your dog's skin for examination by a veterinary pathologist. The biopsy will show inflammatory changes in the skin, consistent with this condition.
- Treatment
No consistently effective treatment has been found as yet.\n\nFor the veterinarian: Some treatments that have been tried with varying success are anti-seborrheic baths, retinoids, immunosuppressive corticosteroids, and fatty acid supplements.
- Veterinarian Information
Occasional dogs with this disorder show proteinuria and a positive antinuclear antibody titer.
- Breeding Considerations
Affected dogs, their siblings, and parents should not be bred. In this way, this new condition may be eliminated before it becomes established in the breed.
- Known Breeds Affected
German shorthaired pointer
