Pemphigus Vulgaris Without Mucosal Involvement in a German Shepherd Dog: Possible Response to Heparin Therapy
June 1992
in “
Veterinary Dermatology
”
TLDR Heparin treatment may help manage pemphigus vulgaris in dogs.
An 8-year-old female German Shepherd dog was diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris, presenting with facial erosions, ulcerations, and crusting, but lacking initial mucosal involvement. Skin biopsies showed suprabasal acantholysis primarily affecting hair follicles, and direct immunofluorescent testing revealed intercellular IgG deposition in the epidermis. The condition was not effectively managed with immunosuppressive therapy. However, treatment with heparin alone or in combination with prednisolone appeared to induce a transient remission of the clinical signs.
