Hello

Has anyone on here got any experience of an auto immune skin condition called pemphigous (sp)?

it's quite common in GSDs

Theresa

Hi Theresa.
Pemphigus is a complicated skin disorder, as you say GSD's and other breeds are affected. It can produce crusty skin, pustules and I think is a form of immune deficiency. Steroids are often used to minimise symptoms but I don't think there is a definitive cure. I know some dogs lose pigment on their noses and have to be kept out of the sun but I don't know how common that is. Sorry can't be of more help.
Dawn.

Thanks Dawn,

One of my GSDs may have it, he's sick for the last five months, parasites, and allergies are all negative, so pemphigous is now a possibility

Don't think theres a cure, it's something that has to be managed as opposed to cured, even diagnosing it is a nightmare

Theresa

My chihuahua was diagnosed with pemphigous about a month ago. It started with small round patches on his nose and progressed to large sores. The hair fell off and the skin became red and scaly. My vet put him on a drug called Delta Albaplex to slow the immune system down, and then he prescribed Prednisone to re-strengthen the immune system. From what I understand, the auto-immune system rejects patches of the skin and causes it to simply "slough" off. By slowing the immune system down, the patches of skin have time to heal and hopefully the new layer skin will not be rejected. It has the potential to cause life long problems, but it might be cured completely after the first outbreak. Hope this helps!