Pemphigus foliaceus in the horse: a retrospective study of 20 cases

Vet Dermatol. 2004 Dec;15(6):381-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00423.x.

Abstract

Twenty horses with pemphigus foliaceus were seen over a period of 15 years in a veterinary medical teaching hospital. Breeds seen were seven quarterhorses, five thoroughbreds, three cross-bred horses, two Arabians and one of each of the following: standardbred, Tennessee walker and warmblood. There was no breed, age or sex predisposition. Nine were mares, ten were geldings and one was a stallion. Ages ranged from 2.5 months to 25 years, with a mean of 8.6 years. Sixteen (80%) of the pemphigus foliaceus horses first exhibited signs between September and February. There was a statistically significant more common occurrence of pemphigus foliaceus during those months. Signs in the four other horses were first noted in March, May or June. Three of those horses were < 13 months of age. Oedema (14/20) and crusts (13/20) were the most common lesions. Pain was present in 9/20 horses, pruritus in 7/20 and pyrexia in 7/20. Follow-up was available for 13 horses. Five of these horses were euthanased. In three horses the reason for euthanasia was laminitis secondary to treatment. Four horses remained lesion-free after medication was discontinued. Two horses required maintenance medication and are doing well at the time of writing.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / pathology*
  • Horses
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Pemphigus / drug therapy
  • Pemphigus / pathology
  • Pemphigus / veterinary*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents