Pedal skin disease in dogs Part 2: Unusual pedal dermatosis

Abstract

PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is the most common autoimmune skin disease in the dog. In many cases, there is footpad involvement and in some the footpads are the only area affected. PF can be spontaneous, a manifestation of a drug reaction or develop after a long history of previous skin disease. In all cases, the pathology is caused by a type II hypersensitivity (antibody) reaction to the intercellular cadherin proteins that form the desmosome. Desmoglein 1 is the major target, but other proteins may be involved. Antibody-binding results in cellular damage through complement and neutrophilic invasion of the epidermis. Pustules form, containing neutrophils, sometimes eosinophils