User:Chairomai/Autoimmune skin diseases in dogs

There are many autoimmune diseases, and they all vary in impact to the dog and progress at their own rates.

Reference Pedersen, Niels C. (1999) A Review of Immunologic Diseases of the Dog. Vet Immunol Immunopathol

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An autoimmune disease depicts an attack towards one's own immune system. However, specifically referring to dogs, detection is not noted until visible compared to that of a human who can verbally express concerns from within. Genetics, nutrition, and external environmental factors all collectively contribute to increasing the probability of being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases all require care but for dogs particularly a veterinarian's care to accommodate conditions. The severity varies on the condition they have and their specific symptoms. Unfortunately, there is not always a guaranteed cure just treatment to provide comfort. 

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Dogs suffering from autoimmune diseases of the skin may experience a variety of symptoms, including persistent itching and scratching, lesions, wounds, blisters, and other skin damage, as well as loss of skin pigment. Two cases of autoimmune diseases that are often found include Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and Pemphigus. DLE can develop into Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Most symptoms occur after the outer epidermis and inner dermis of the skin are affected by the disease. When this happens, the layers of the skin begin to separate, leading to painful lesions and pustules. The compromised integrity of the skin barrier not only exacerbates the discomfort experienced by the dog, but also heightens the risk of secondary bacterial infections. The weakening of the skin’s protective layers forms an environment susceptible to microbial infiltration, which could lead to severe complications. Intervening within an earlier time frame and targeted management strategies are essential to minimize further adverse effects. Another autoimmune skin disease which can occur in dogs is vitiligo. The exact prevalence of this disease in dogs is currently unknown, as it is likely under-reported.

In addition to humans, Vitiligo can be found in a variety of animals, including cats, horses, and dogs. Vitiligo is a type of autoimmune disease that damages melanocytes in the skin, lips, and oral cavity. Melanocytes are cells that contain pigments such as melanin. These pigments give rise to an organism's phenotype, which determines skin and hair color. Melanocytes are also found in other parts of the body, such as the oral mucosa, eye, cochlea, and the meninges. Certain breeds of dogs have a higher chance of developing Vitiligo based on their genetics. These breeds include Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, Doberman Pinchers, Dachshunds, and German Shorthaired Pointers. In addition to Vitiligo, there are other autoimmune diseases that target melanocytes, such as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome, and Uveodermatological (UDS) syndrome.

When pemphigus occurs in humans, the skin will begin to blister due to antibodies attacking the adhesive proteins in epidermal cells, which causes them to separate. Different types of pemphigus can be identified based on the depth of separation present in the skin. Many forms of pemphigus can be identified in dogs using methods similar to those employed for humans. In infections caused by Pemphigus vulgaris, lesions are usually evident in the oral cavity of the dog. Sometimes symptoms are characterized by lymphadenopathy, which is characterized by loss of appetite, weakness, fever, and in rare cases, sepsis. Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs, making up around one-third of all canine autoimmune disorders. This disease usually affects areas of the ears and face. Early symptoms are characterized by depigmentation of the nasal palate, dorsal cleft in the mouth, the ear, and the periocular area around the eye. Itching, pain, and weakness of the body have been observed in some cases. Other symptoms of Pemphigus foliaceus include hair loss, formation of pustules, and erosions with ulcers. These symptoms can appear on the dog's feet, groin area, and trunk if left untreated.

The immune system functions in many ways to eliminate foreign substances and particles introduced to the body. This revolves around T-cell differentiation, where mature T-cells with receptors for non-self cells target foreign antigens and act with other cells to dispose of them. There are two mechanisms of tolerance found in the immune system. The first mechanism is positive selection by the thymus, where only T cells are selected. T cells recognize peptides in the Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). Foreign antigens possessing MHC molecules will then be

A nose-to-tail annual examination is recommended yearly to assess the dog and if there are any concerns raised further test such as skin biopsy, scans, or bloodwork will be collected to assist with diagnosis and potential treatments.