Pemphigus Foliaceus
Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common equine skin disease, but it is still considered a rare disease. It is commonly called “blisters” as the primary lesions seen with this disease are vesicles or bullae. Blisters form when antibodies are produced against a molecule found in the skin called . This molecule acts as glue to attach adjacent epithelial cells. When this molecule is attacked and inactivated a process called acantholysis occurs, causing the epithelial layer of the skin to lose integrity. The areas where the skin is attacked fill with fluid to form bullae and vesicles. Pemphigus foliaceus is seen in two age groups; the very young and in mature horses. The first group are horses - months of age and the second group are horses three years to nine years of age. Clinically pemphigus foliaceus presents as transient bullae and vesicles that rupture and ulcerate causing exudation and crust formation. Lesions are and may be associated with systemic signs such as anorexia, weight loss, fever, depression and edema of the limbs. Lesions may be localized or may be generalized.
Diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus is through clinical signs and symptoms, and through skin biopsy and histology.
Treatment of this condition is often unsuccessful but involves the administration of corticosteroids and drugs to reduce the severity of the damage to the skin. As a side effect of treatment, the ulcerated lesions are highly susceptible to secondary bacterial infection.
The prognosis for the two groups differs in that eighty to ninety percent of cases in the very young group go into remission while the mature onset cases tend to be progressive and have a poor prognosis.
Anhidrosis
Anhidrosis is defined as the
of sweating in response to normal stimuli.
It is idiopathic but thought to be related to dysfunction of the sweat glands themselves, or to desensitization of receptors found on sweat glands to high blood levels of . If sweat gland dysfunction is suspected, obstruction of ducts or immune-mediated degeneration is implicated. In cases where anhydrosis presents in combination with stressful environments
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