Skin: erythema multiforme in Dogs (Canis) | Vetlexicon
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Skin: erythema multiforme

ISSN 2398-2942


Introduction

  • Uncommon, acute, self-limiting eruption of skin and/or mucous membranes.
  • Cause: drugs, infections, idiopathic.
  • Signs: maculopapular rash, vesiculation, depression, anorexia.
  • Diagnosis: history, clinical signs, histopathology.
  • Treatment: supportive care +/- immunosuppressive chemotherapy.
  • Prognosis: good.

Presenting signs

  • Erythema multiforme minor, asymptomatic with a maculopapular rash.
  • Erythema multiforme major, systemic illness with fever, depression, anorexia. Vesiculo-bullous and ulcerative mucocutaneous areas, oral mucosae, conjunctivae, pinnae, axillae and groin.
  • Both forms acute, symmetrical onset.
  • Erythematous macules that spread peripherally while healing centrally → target lesion.

Acute presentation

  • Severe vesiculation and bulla formation over a wide area, including oral mucosae, mucocutaneous areas, conjunctivae, pinnae, axillae and groin.
  • Pain.
  • Fever.
  • Anorexia.
  • Depression.

Cost considerations

  • Diagnostic work-up.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

Pathophysiology

  • Necrotizing condition of the epidermis with an interface reaction.
  • Circulating immune complexes are found in man.

Timecourse

  • Acute self-limiting disease.

Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Prevention

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Outcomes

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
  • Lewis D T (1998) Life-threatening dermatoses in dogs. Comp Cont Ed Prac Vet 20 (3), 271-283 VetMedResource.
  • Delmage D A and Payne-Johnson C E (1991) Erythema multiforme in a Dobermann on trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole therapy. JSAP 32 (12), 635-639 VetMedResource.
  • Medleau L, Shanley K J, Rakich P M and Goldschmidt M H (1990) Trimethoprim-sulfonamide-associated drug eruptions in dogs. JAAHA 26 (3), 305-311 VetMedResource.