Vitiligo in two dogs

40 Vitiligo in two dogs



INTRODUCTION


Vitiligo is a specific, acquired disorder, characterized by well-circumscribed depigmented patches and macules and leucoderma that result from a complete absence of melanocytes in affected areas of skin. This case report describes two cases, one in a Labrador and the other in a Rottweiler.




CASE PRESENTING SIGNS


One case involved a 13-month-old, spayed female Labrador retriever that was presented because of progressive depigmentation of the nasal planum.


The second case was a 4-year-old, entire male Rottweiler with depigmentation of the nasal planum and extensive leucotrichia.


The two dogs were from separate households and were examined on different occasions.



CASE HISTORY


Vitiligo typically starts in young adult dogs and results in progressive multifocal depigmented macules, or patches, over the nasal planum, lips, face, buccal mucosa and footpads. The hair and nails may also be affected. Affected animals have no history suggestive of systemic disease and the disease is non-pruritic.


In the case of the Labrador the history was:


• A 4- to 5-month history, initially of loss of pigment and then slight crusting over the nasal planum.

• The dog had no other history of skin disease.

• There was no history suggestive of systemic involvement.

• The dog had never been outside the UK.

• There were no other animals in the household.

• There was no evidence of zoonosis.

• Diet consisted of a proprietary complete dried chicken- and rice-based food.

• The dog received vaccinations as a puppy, but had not been vaccinated since then. There had been no routine anthelmintic treatment over the past 6 months.

The history of the Rottweiler was:


• A 3-month history of progressive depigmentation, initially around the eyes, with later involvement of the lips, nasal planum, pads, nails and over the trunk. There was no evidence of pruritus.

• Recently, there had been some repigmentation over the nasal planum and footpads.

• There was no other history of skin disease.

• There was no history suggestive of systemic involvement.

• There was no history of drug administration prior to the onset of depigmentation.

• There was no contagion and no zoonosis

• The dog had been fed a tinned dog food and biscuit mixer.


CLINICAL EXAMINATION


Examination of the Labrador revealed well-demarcated depigmentation over the nasal planum and a depigmented macule over the pad of digit 5 on the left fore foot, with another on the central tarsal pad of the left hind foot (Figs 40.1, 40.2 and 40.3). The buccal mucosa over the hard and soft palates also showed evidence of macular depigmentation. There was mild crusting over the dorsal aspect of the affected nasal planum, but the footpad areas and the rostral nasal planum were neither inflamed nor crusted.


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Figure 40.1 Well-demarcated depigmentation over the Labrador’s nasal planum.


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Figure 40.2 Depigmented macules over the Labrador’s footpads.

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Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Vitiligo in two dogs

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