What Is Pododermatitis in Dogs?

Most dogs lick their paws, but when licking becomes excessive, problems can arise. Pododermatitis is a common condition in dogs that constantly lick or chew their paws. It starts with inflammation and can result in an infection of the skin, nails, nail folds, or foot pads.

Pododermatitis most commonly occurs between a dog’s toes. Pododermatitis is typically caused by a wide variety of conditions, rather than an actual disease itself. It can affect only one or all four paws  and can occur in any age, gender, or breed of dog.

While pododermatitis only affects the paws (podo means foot; dermatitis means infection or inflammation of the skin), it does often happen with other symptoms, such as itchy skin on the body and/or skin infections.

If left untreated, pododermatitis can become painful and lead to limping or lameness. If you suspect your dog might have pododermatitis, or if they are licking their paws excessively, contact your veterinarian to determine the cause and start a treatment plan.

Symptoms of Pododermatitis in Dogs

Licking, chewing on the pawReddening of the skin on the pawRed or brown stainingHair loss on pawSwollen pawPainful pawItchy pawLameness, limpingSwollen skin around the nailClear or opaque discharge, waxy or oily debris especially within the toe foldsLocalized swelling or small nodules, often between toesCan leak pus or bloody dischargeAbnormal odor from pawScar tissue formation

Breeds that are more impacted by pododermatitis include:

BoxersBulldogsBull TerriersGerman Shorthaired PointerGerman ShepherdsGolden RetrieversIrish Setters

Causes of Pododermatitis in Dogs

Pododermatitis has many possible causes, and more than one factor can contribute to it.

Allergies (atopic dermatitis, contact allergies, and food allergies) are the most common cause of pododermatitis in dogs. Allergies in dogs often cause them to have itchy paws, which leads to pododermatitis.Interdigital furunculosis occurs when there is a deep bacterial infection between a dog’s toes.Foreign bodies can also cause licking and irritated paws, leading to pododermatitis. Foxtail plants, parts of other plants, and grass seeds are common foreign bodies that embed themselves between a dog’s paws, leading to discomfort and infection.Trauma or insect bites on the paws can cause secondary bacterial and/or fungal infections from the excessive licking due to pain, discomfort, or itch your dog may feel. Trauma can also cause interdigital furunculosis, which in turn causes pododermatitis.InfectionsDemodex, also known as demodectic mange, is a skin parasite caused by overgrowth of mites on the skin. Mange causes itchiness and hair loss as well as red, scaly scab-like lesions on a dog’s skin and paws.Bacteria and Fungus/yeast: Malassezia is a common fungus and Staphylococcus is a common bacteria, both found normally on a dog’s skin/paws. When dogs lick their paws or they become itchy, the normal bacteria/yeast overpopulate and causes pododermatitis.Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin, hair, or claws in dogs that can lead to pododermatitis.Tumors of the skin such as histiocytomas, squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed, and lymphoma can cause pododermatitis in dogs.Hypothyroidism and Hyperadrenocorticism/Cushing’s disease are both hormonal diseases that can involve pododermatitis, since they cause a dog’s immune system to be less functional.Autoimmune skin disease such as pemphigus foliaceus can cause pododermatitis, although this is uncommon in dogs.

There are certain factors that increase a dog’s risk of getting pododermatitis, such as:

Obesity, or large/giant breed dogs have an increased amount of weight put on their paws.Dog breeds with short, wiry hair around their feet. (Boxers, English Bulldogs, German Short-haired Pointers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers are breeds prone to pododermatitis).Abnormal weight bearing on limb due to congenital defects, arthritis, or torn ligaments.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Pododermatitis in Dogs

Your veterinarian will take a complete medical history, as well as perform a physical exam to determine the extent of your dog’s condition. Pododermatitis itself can be diagnosed visually by looking for symptoms and lesions on your dog’s paws.

Your veterinarian will recommend the best skin diagnostic tests to help determine the underlying cause of pododermatitis to come up with the most effective treatment plan. If nodules are present on your dog’s feet, removing fluid from the center of the lesion can help with a diagnosis.

For more advanced chronic case, or those where a foreign body or tumor is suspected, a local or surgical biopsy and paw X-rays may be necessary. Blood tests will help diagnose any deficiencies in your dog’s hormones, such as thyroid hormone and cortisol levels.

Allergies are often diagnosed once the secondary infections have healed; it often takes longer to eliminate possible allergens from causing them. It’s important to inform your veterinarian about anything you have done (or seen) that might help them diagnose the cause of pododermatitis. Flea prevention status, use of topical therapies, new foods/treats, lifestyle, and environmental changes are things that will help your veterinarian determine the cause.

Treatment of Pododermatitis in Dogs

Once your veterinarian has determined the underlying cause of your dog’s pododermatitis, they can start them on a specific treatment plan. Small lesions that are not causing your dog discomfort, such as those involving one paw or between a few toes, might be treated at home with medicated wipes, mousse, and shampoos such as Duoxo ® S3 (wipes or shampoo) and Dechra ® products.

If your dog develops pain or the lesions on the paws become extensive or last more than a few days, contact your vet immediately. Antibiotics commonly used for skin infections include: Cephalexin, Cefpodoxime, and Convenia®.

Mange is treated differently, depending on the extent of the lesions. Topical creams and shampoos containing benzoyl peroxide are often used for small, localized lesions. Insect repellent and flea/tick prevention can also help with a demodex infection. Depending on the cause of your dog’s pododermatitis, anti-inflammatory or steroid medications might be prescribed as well.

Recovery and Management of Pododermatitis in Dogs

Depending on the cause of your dog’s pododermatitis, there may not be a cure. However, medical management to keep your dog pain-and-itch free is still possible. Most infectious causes of pododermatitis, such as those caused by bacteria, fungus, ringworm, and mange, can be cured with the right medications.

Hormonal causes can be successfully managed with medication to make up for the low volume of hormones produced by the body. The prognosis can be anywhere from good to guarded, depending on whether the underlying cause can be diagnosed and successfully treated.

Pododermatitis can be a very long and complicated process to diagnose and treat, and it can be quite frustrating to pet parents. Continued follow-up exams and diagnostics will help your vet get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible, but it can take weeks to months.

You may be able to prevent pododermatitis. If you notice your dog licking right away, use a recovery collar and take them to the veterinarian for treatment of their underlying condition.

Pododermatitis in Dogs FAQs

How long does it take pododermatitis in dogs to heal?

Depending upon the underlying cause of pododermatitis, it can take days to weeks to months to heal. Some causes of pododermatitis can be cured and others can be managed with appropriate treatment.

Can pododermatitis in dogs go away on its own?

Pododermatitis requires medical attention and treatment to heal. If your dog has been licking and biting their paws with subsequent symptoms, contact your veterinarian.

Can dogs get pododermatitis from food allergies?

Yes, pododermatitis can be caused by food allergies in dogs. While licking and chewing the paws are common signs of food allergies in young to middle-aged dogs, this can also be from environmental allergies or other causes.

Featured Image: iStock.com/gollykim

References

Moriello M. Interdigital Furunculosis in Dogs. Merck Manual. October 2022.

Forsythe P. Canine Pododermatitis. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 20215.

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WRITTEN BY

Barri J. Morrison, DVM

Veterinarian

Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her…

Urolithiasis, Calcium Oxalate in Dogs

Urolithiasis is described as the presence of stones (calcium deposits) in the urinary tract. The development of these stones is more common in dogs than in cats, and in older animals. In most cases the stones can be removed safely, giving the animal a positive prognosis.

Causes

The primary cause for the formation of stones is high levels of calcium in the urine. Some risk factors can include calcium supplements, excessive dietary protein or Vitamin D, high levels of steroids, Vitamin B6 deficient diets, and the consumption of dry food only diets.

While these stones can occur in any breed, several dog breeds comprise over 60% of all cases. These breeds include Miniature Schnauzers, Lhapso Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, Bichon Frises, Shih Tzu’s and Miniature Poodles.

Symptoms and Types

Animals generally do not show signs of this issue, although trouble urinating is the most common symptom. If there is inflammation, an enlarged belly or the area surrounding the urinary region may be noticeable irritated. If the stones are large, they can sometimes be felt through the skin by a veterinarian.

Diagnosis

X-rays and ultrasounds are performed to determine any additional underlying medical conditions causing the animal pain or trouble urinating. Also, blood work will be done to examine levels of nutrients to see if any are outside of the normal range.

Treatment

One of the most common treatment options is the surgical removal of the stones. In some cases, shock waves can be used to help break up the stones. Also, depending on the size and severity of the stones, sometimes they can be flushed and massaged out of the animal’s system with a catheter and fluids.

Living and Management

It is important to reduce the animal’s activity levels following surgery. Possible complications from the formation of these stones are the blockage of the urinary tract and the animal’s inability to urinate. It is common for animals to re-form these calcium-based stones over time. Treatment on an ongoing basis will include the monitoring of calcium intake and the urinary patterns of the animal to observe if any problems develop.

If surgery was used to remove the stones, post-surgical X-rays are recommended to ensure that the stones were completely removed. Ongoing X-rays can also be helpful in frequent intervals and if the formation of these calcium stones is detected, non-surgical techniques can be used to remove or dissolve them.

Prevention

The best prevention of recurrence is to monitor the animal’s calcium levels on an ongoing basis so that adjustments can be made in the diet to maintain normal calcium levels.

Rotavirus Infections in Dogs

The double-stranded, wheel-shaped rotavirus causes inflammation of the intestines and in severe cases, dysfunction in the intestinal walls. It is the leading cause of diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset in dogs. And although it can be seen in dogs at any age, puppies are more prone to rotavirus infections, especially those less than 12 weeks old.

Cats are also susceptible to rotavirus infections. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

Symptoms and Types

The primary symptom of a rotavirus infection is mild to moderate watery diarrhea. In severe cases, dogs may die from dehydration, extreme weight loss, and/or an unwillingness to eat. Dogs may also exhibit fatigue or lethargy.

Causes

The rotavirus is typically transmitted through contact with contaminated fecal matter. Dogs with underdeveloped or weak immune systems and those living in overly stressed environments are most at risk for the infection.

Diagnosis

In dogs, your doctor will likely try to rule out other conditions before diagnosing rotavirus. Some causes for inflammation of the intestine may include parvovirus (a rash disease), coronavirus (a virus affecting the intestines), astrovirus (causes diarrhea), herpesvirus, distemper virus, and canine reovirus (also called kennel cough).

Lab tests to detect the virus may include laboratory examination of tissue samples, or microscopic exploration of feces. One such test is ELISA (or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), a biochemical technique. Your veterinarian may also be able to identify the virus using a technique called virus isolation.

To formally diagnose rotavirus, a veterinarian will examine the intestinal villi (the small hairs lining the intestine) and other cells within the intestinal wall, using special instruments to detect the rotavirus and antibodies the virus may have produced.

Treatment

Once the rotavirus is formally diagnosed, your veterinarian will begin treatment to ensure a prompt recovery. Treatment involves symptomatic relief to relieve the dog’s diarrhea and to help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Your doctor will also advise temporary dietary restrictions to help alleviate some of your dog’s intestinal discomfort.

Antibiotics are generally not prescribed because they are only useful for bacterial, not viral infections.

Living and Management

Because rotaviruses are zoonotic, it is important that pet owners keep infected dogs away from young children, infants in particular. When handling the fecal matter of an infected animal, it is especially important to use precautions, such as wearing latex gloves and disinfecting the animal’s living area.

Humans living in developing countries are most at risk, often experiencing life-threatening diarrhea. Estimates suggest that in developing countries up to 500,000 children under age five die every year from rotavirus infections.

Prevention

The best protection for a puppy is to consume the milk of an immune bitch, as they produce antibodies that may protect against the rotavirus.

Iridociliary Cysts in Dogs

Sometimes referred to as iris cysts or uveal cysts, iridociliary cysts are often benign and require no treatment. However, occasionally they may be large enough to interfere with vision or with the function of the eye.

Symptoms and Types

Iridiociliary cysts may be attached to various parts of the interior of the eye. They may be lightly or darkly pigmented and are semitransparent. They may be spherical to ovoid in shape. They can vary considerably in size and there may be more than one. They may be seen in one or both eyes.

In most cases, these cysts are an incidental finding. Only when they are large enough to impair vision or interfere with the normal functioning of the eye are they problematic. Glaucoma can be a complication associated with iridociliary cysts.

Causes

Cysts may be congenital or acquired.

Congenital cysts are caused by a developmental abnormality in the eye and affected dogs are born with the cysts.Acquired cysts may be the result of trauma to the eye or of uveitis (inflammation of the dark layers of the eye.) In many cases, the cause is never known.

There is a breed predilection in Boston terriers, golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers for iridociliary cysts. In golden retrievers, a syndrome of pigmentary uveitis and iridociliary cysts is seen. These cysts have also been associated with glaucoma in golden retrievers and in Great Danes.

Diagnosis

Iridociliary cysts are diagnosed with an ocular examination.

Treatment

In most cases, no treatment is necessary. If uveitis or glaucoma is present, these diseases will need to be treated appropriately. Laser coagulation can be used to remove particularly large cysts if necessary.

Hypercalcemia in Dogs

Behind the thyroid gland in the neck, there lie four parathyroid glands which secrete the hormone the body needs to regulate calcium and phosphorus. Parathyroid hormone and vitamin D interactions work to release calcium from the bones, gut, and kidneys for deposit into the bloodstream. When these interactions are disturbed, or when cancerous cells secrete hormones that interfere with calcium regulation, hypercalcemia can result. Hypercalcemia is characterized by an abnormally high amount of calcium in the blood. A dog is considered hypercalcemic when its total serum calcium is greater than 11.5 mg/dL.

Symptoms and Types

Increased urinationIncreased thirstLack of appetite (anorexia)VomitingDecreased gastrointestinal functionConstipationLack of energy/fatigue/lethargyConfusionDepressionEnlarged lymph nodes (swelling in neck)Bladder stonesHypertensionStupor and coma in severe cases

Causes

Abnormal or over functioning of the parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)Cancer or tumorsBone deteriorating diseasesKidney failure – sudden or long-termUnder-functioning adrenal glandsVitamin D poisoning: from rodenticides, plants, or food (supplements included)Aluminum toxicity

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam, with a blood chemistry profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. While a high serum is crucial to the diagnosis of hypercalcemia, the results of the other tests will help to indicate the origin of the hypercalcemia.

Radiograph and ultrasound imaging can also be used for diagnosing underlying conditions, such as kidney disease, bladder stones, or cancer. Fine needle aspirates (liquids) from the lymph nodes and bone marrow can be used for diagnoses of lymphoma, or cancer of the blood.

Treatment

If your dog has been diagnosed with hypercalcemia, your veterinarian will very likely want to hospitalize it for fluid therapy. Once the primary disease is diagnosed, your dog will be given the appropriate medication(s). Your doctor will continue to check your dog’s serum calcium twice a day during its stay at the veterinary clinic, until calcium levels have returned to normal.

Living and Management

Your veterinarian will set up a schedule of follow-up appointments for your dog dependent on the underlying cause of the hypercalcemia.

Lung Lobe Torsion in Dogs

Torsion, or twisting, of the lung lobe results in the obstruction of the dog’s bronchus and vessels, including the veins and arteries. The obstruction of the blood vessels causes the lung lobe to engorge with blood, which results in necrosis and death of the affected lung tissue. This may lead to many complications, including coughing up blood, tachycardia, or shock.

Male dogs are at a higher risk of lung lobe torsion than females, as are large, deep-chested. However, small dogs such as pugs (especially those younger than four) are also at risk, most often with the spontaneous form of lung lobe torsion.

Symptoms and Types

Pain Fever Lethargy Loss of appetite (anorexia) Coughing (sometimes with blood) Difficulty breathing, especially while lying flat (orthopenea) Increased respiration rate Coughing up blood Increased heart rate Pale or bluish mucous membranes (cyanosis) Shock

Causes

Lung lobe torsion is inconsistently found with pre-existing conditions such as trauma, neoplasia, and chylothorax. However it also occurs spontaneously, due to a thoracic or diaphragmatic surgery, or, on occasion, due to an unknown cause (idiopathic).

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, including the onset and nature of the symptoms, to your veterinarian. He or she will then perform a complete physical examination as well as a biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and complete blood count (CBC). These tests may reveal valuable information for initial diagnosis and may show signs of infection, anemia. It will also reveal the level of immune response of your dog. If the number of white blood cells is abnormally lower than the minimum normal range, the prognosis is very poor.

Your dog’s veterinarian may decide to take a small sample of the accumulated fluid for further evaluation, while ultrasound, computed tomography, and radiographic studies often reveal more details about the problem. Loss of normal architecture and blood vessels, along with opacification of the affected lung are usually seen in an X-ray.

In some cases, surgery is required for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment

Your dog may need to be hospitalized for intensive care and treatment, especially if surgery is required, which is often the treatment of choice to remove the affected lobe and correct other abnormalities. If abnormal fluid or blood is present, your veterinarian will place a chest tube to allow for drainage. If your dog is not able to breathe normally, ventilator support is given to assist in breathing. Oxygen therapy, fluids, and antibiotics are also typically added to treatment protocol. And if the dog survives, shrinking and fibrosis of the affected lobe will be seen.

Living and Management

After surgery, your dog may feel sore and need pain killers, as well as cage rest, for a few days. However, most animals recover fully after a successful operation. The chest tube is often kept in for a few days to allow drainage of fluid. Your veterinarian will describe the proper handling of this tube. If you see any untoward symptoms, including breathing problems, immediately call your dog’s veterinarian. Otherwise, follow his or her instructions and bring the dog in for regular examinations.

Baylisascariasis in Dogs

Most commonly called “raccoon disease” because of its prevalence in the raccoon population, baylisascariasis comes from contact with raccoon feces, and from ingesting animal tissue that is infected with the Baylisascaris procyonis parasite.

Commonly referred to as roundworm, the B. procyonis larvae is found in a large part of the animal population, including humans — making this a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be spread from an infected animal to other animal species, which includes humans. Raccoons are the optimal carriers of this worm, since the health of the raccoon is not adversely affected, making it the ideal host and disseminator of the parasite. The B. procyonis larvae is typically spread through the fecal material into the environment. Any contact with the feces, or with soil that has been used by an infected raccoon, may lead to systemic infection. Therefore, it is essential to practice methods of avoidance and caution in areas where raccoons are prevalent.

Intermediate carriers are birds, rabbits and rodents, amongst other animals. The larva is known to migrate to the brain, where it affects the nervous system. In this weakened state, the small animal becomes an easy catch, and the larva is ingested when the predator animal (i.e., a dog) ingests tissue from the infected animal. This is another way in which the worm is disseminated to other animals.

This disease is known to occur throughout the United States, with reported outbreaks in zoos and on farms. However, an outbreak can occur wherever animals are kept together in large groups.

While this infection can often be treated in adult dogs, it is almost always fatal for puppies. In addition, because the worm sometimes attacks the brain and nervous system, this infection may be mistaken for rabies. If rabies is suspected, you may wish to ask your veterinarian to test for the presence of the B. procyonis.

The condition or disease described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

Symptoms and Types

Two types of baylisascariasis have been reported in dogs: intestinal infection and visceral disease. The development of the roundworm begins with ingestion of the roundworm eggs. They then migrate to the intestines, where they further develop before their final migration into the viscera (the organs that occupy the abdominal cavities), the nervous system, or the eye. These types of infections are referred to, respectively, as larval migrans; visceral larval migrans (VLM); neural larval migrans (NLM); and ocular larval migrans (OLM).

The intestinal form is most commonly found in adult dogs, while infection of internal organs, particularly the brain and spinal cord (visceral disease) is more common in puppies. Often, there are not any outward symptoms associated with early onset of the disease, but occasionally dogs will show signs of neurological disease due to the worm attacking the nervous system. Signs of neurological disease (NLM) include:

Unsteady walking/loss of coordination or muscle control (ataxia)Difficulty eating/swallowing (dysphagia)Lethargy, lying down excessively (recumbency)CirclingSeizureConfusion, lack of attention

Infection of the viscera (VLM) may present symptoms of liver and/or lung disease, while infection of the eye (OLM) may not be apparent until your dog has lost the use of its vision.
 

Causes
 

The most common method of acquiring the infection originates from sharing an area with infected raccoons. A dog can become infected with the disease from coming into contact with raccoon feces, from ingestion of B. procyonis eggs, which may remain viable in the soil long after the raccoon feces has disintegrated or been removed, from ingestion of animal tissue that is infected with the roundworm (e.g., rabbits, birds, etc.), or from close contact with other infected animals.

Diagnosis

You will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your dog’s health, including a background history of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. The history you provide may give your veterinarian clues as to which organs are being affected. Knowing the path the parasite has taken is essential for treating the infection appropriately.

The intestinal form of baylisascariasis is found by examining the dog’s feces, while the larval form may be found in association with other diseases such as rabies, canine distemper, and congenital neurological defects. A direct fecal smear test will detect the intestinal form of the disease, while the larval form can usually be found through an eye (ophthalmoscopic) examination, or by a laboratory examination of a tissue sample.

Treatment

If your dog tests positive for this parasite, there are several medications that can be administered.

For the intestinal form:

Pyrantel PamoateFebantelPraziquantelIvermectinMibemycin Oxime
 

For the larval form:

CorticosteriodsLong-term albendazole
 

Living and Management
 

A follow-up visit is recommended two weeks after the initial treatment, in order to analyze the feces for worms, and then again after a month to check for the intestinal form of the disease. This is a zoonotic disease, so it is transmissible to humans and other animals, with children being at the highest risk of acquiring the infection and of suffering the worst effects. Accidental ingestion of roundworm eggs can cause serious disease in humans. Ingestion may occur as a result of playing in sand that has been used by raccoons or other infected animals, from contact with soil that is infected with the eggs, or from contact with infected feces (during the course of cleaning it up). It is essential to be especially cautious until you have been assured that your dog has entirely recovered from the infection and is no longer shedding the eggs through its feces. Disposable gloves should be worn when handling your dog’s waste materials, and hygiene regarding the hands and nails will need to be a priority if you live in an area that is occupied by raccoons.

The location where your dog contracted the roundworm should be well observed and monitored, and neighbors should be notified of the risk to their own pets.

Prevention

The most important preventative step is to keep pets away from areas with raccoons and to prevent pets from ingesting animal tissue. Other steps that can be taken to protect your family and pet from this parasite are to keep sand boxes covered, check your property for raccoon droppings and deceased animals, and make sure that your dog or puppy has been dewormed.

Uveodermatologic Syndrome in Dogs

Your dog’s immune system produces chemicals called antibodies to protect its body against harmful substances and organisms such as viruses, bacteria, etc. An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the immune system cannot tell the difference between harmful antigens and its own healthy body tissues, leading it to destroy the healthy body tissues. Uveodermatologic syndrome is one such autoimmune disorder known to affect dogs.

Some breeds are at an increased risk of developing this disorder, including Akitas, Samoyeds, and Siberian huskies. However, dogs of all ages are at risk.

Symptoms and Types

Inflammation of the interior of the eye (uvea) Loss of skin pigmentation (leukoderma) in the nose, lips, eyelids, footpads, scrotum, anus, and hard palate

Causes

Underlying autoimmune disorder

Diagnosis

After recording a complete history, your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical and ophthalmological exam on your dog, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. Standard laboratory work will include a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, a urinalysis and an electrolyte panel. The results of these tests are often found normal in animals with this disorder.

Your veterinarian will also take skin tissue samples to be sent to laboratory for evaluation. The veterinary pathologist will examine the tissue sample microscopically to distinguish any changes that are characteristic of this condition.

Treatment

Immediate therapy is of utmost importance in order to prevent permanent damage to the eyes. If treatment is not started in time, your dog may develop complications and may even become permanently blind.

The main objective of the treatment is to suppress the abnormal immune response that is taking place against the healthy body tissues, in this case the eyes and skin. Based on the final findings, the appropriate injections and eye drops will be prescribed for your dog.

Because suppressing the immune system can lead to its own complications, you will need to go over the details of this approach with your veterinarian. There are important steps that need to be taken to protect your dog from acquiring serious infections while it is undergoing immune system therapy.

Living and Management

During the initial course of treatment, you may need to visit your veterinarian twice every week. During each visit your veterinarian will conduct laboratory testing and eye examinations to monitor your dog’s progress and adjust medications as needed. Drug doses need to be adjusted regularly to prevent some of the complications that are often related to immunosuppressive therapy.

Finally, you will need to monitor your dog’s overall health and report anything of concern to your veterinarian so that it can be resolved quickly, before it becomes a possibly life-threatening issue.