A retrospective study regarding the treatment of idiopathic onychomadesis (lupoid onychodystrophy) in 30 dogs

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of various therapeutic options in dogs with lupoid onychodystrophy. The treatment records of 30 dogs with lupoid onychodystrophy diagnosed by clinical and histological changes at three institutions (Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic: Melbourne, Colorado State University and Denver Veterinary Specialists) were evaluated retrospectively. The response to various treatments was graded as excellent (normal claws), good (claws still dystrophic, but no associated clinical signs or onychomadesis), partial (still occasional onychomadesis) or poor (no change with treatment). Dogs were treated with either fatty acid supplementation (n = 17), doxycycline and niacinamide (n = 13), tetracycline and niacinamide (n = 10), pentoxifylline (n = 5), prednisolone (n = 4), azathioprine (n = 1) or clofazimine (n = 1) or with combinations thereof. Most dogs initially were treated with antibiotics typically effective against cutaneous pathogens, and in most dogs this led to partial improvement only. An excellent or good response was seen in approximately half of the patients treated with tetra‐ or doxycycline in combination with niacinamide. Six of the dogs were maintained successfully on fatty acid supplementation, two on pentoxifylline. An excellent response was seen in two of the three dogs treated exclusively with antibiotics. Spontaneous remissions and recurrences made evaluation of success rates difficult. A variety of medications may be useful in the treatment of lupoid onychodystrophy, although the high success rate of fatty acids previously reported could not be confirmed. The study emphasized the varied and often unclear aetiology and natural course of the syndrome. This study was supported financially by Colorado State University.