Pemphigus Vulgaris Lacking Mucosal Involvement in a German Shepherd Dog: Possible Response to Heparin Therapy

    June 1992 in “ Veterinary Dermatology ”
    Thierry Olivry, Peter J. Ihrke, Barbara A. Atlee
    TLDR Heparin treatment may help manage pemphigus vulgaris in dogs.
    An 8-year-old female German shepherd dog was diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris, characterized by symmetric facial erosions, ulcerations, and crusting, with late oral involvement and no systemic illness. Skin biopsies showed suprabasal acantholysis mainly affecting hair follicles, and direct immunofluorescent testing revealed intercellular IgG deposition in the epidermis. The condition was not adequately managed with immunosuppressive therapy. However, treatment with heparin alone or combined with prednisolone appeared to induce a transient remission.
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