This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Autoimmune Skin Disorders: Bullous and Pemphigus »
  Discussion on Auto-immune disorder
Author Message

Posted on Monday, Sep 27, 1999 - 5:05 pm:

Hi...

We have a 6yr. trek. mare who was diagnosed with
an autoimmune disorder last January. Prednisone (prednisolone is now the perferred treatment)
therapy worked for the first outbreak but after
the first attmpt to wean her from it, was
ineffective. We then switched her to Azium, 1
packet daily. Although it works very well, (bumps
that weren't already scabbed and weeping
disappeared overnight) we were advised against
using this long term. Our vets don't have much
experience with auto-immune. Is there any other
treatments out there that we could try???

Than

Posted on Monday, Sep 27, 1999 - 5:59 pm:

Hi Julianne:
may you let me know the symptoms and sing of the disorder your horse have? What is the name of the condition your horse was diagnosed with?
I am suspecting my horse has some mixed of autoinmune disease and some kind of skin infection.
Thank you very much.

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 28, 1999 - 3:42 am:

The condidtion is Pemphigus Folliaceus. When is
started last december, it looked a lot like rain
rot - open ozzing sores all over her body. She
didn't respond to any of the antibiotics/topical
treatments though. We then had her tested for
allergies but that turned out negative also. The
auto-immune was then diagnosed. Her outbreaks
usually start on her face and her withers and
spread from there. She also has a fever and
lethargy that goes with the outbreaks. We ruled
out everything before even suspecting it may be an
auto-immun

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 28, 1999 - 6:36 am:

Hello Jullianne,
No, autoimmune disorders are not often seen in horses. The problem with dexamethasone (Azium) is that it persists in the blood for up to 48 hours making daily or even every other day treatment with it adrenal suppressive. Prednisolone (not prednisone) on the other hand is cleared rather quickly so that every other day use preserves adrenal gland function.

Though most allergic disorders will respond to alternate day treatment autimmune disorders have a reputation of worsening over time requiring larger and larger doses of medication.

You did not say how much pred you were giving so talk this idea over with your vet: I would try the prednisolone (not prednisone) again, starting on a daily basis at doses higher than you used when it did not work. Though higher doses will be more therapeutic it does not greatly prolong how long the drug stays in the body, the more you put in the faster the body gets rid of it. Once you have found a daily dose of pred that works try giving a total of two days dose once every other day. If that holds him start reducing it trying to get it down to 1/2 to 1 mg / lb of Pred every other day.

For more information see the article: Medication: Antiinflammatories: Steroids: Alternate Day Therapy
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 14, 1999 - 7:46 pm:

My vet suspects my 23-year-old Morgan gelding may have Pemphigus Foliaceus. We're waiting for the results of the skin biopses, and he was started 4 days ago on Prednisone. He doesn't seem to have improved at all in that time, and I'm concerned that, as Dr. Oglesby's article on Autoimmune Skin Disorders states, "the therapy fails." What is the prognosis in that case? Will he become increasingly uncomfortable? Are there alternative treatments? What are the "Other possibilities: Allergic hypersensitivity and Exfoliative eosinophilic dermatitis" the article refers to? Thank you for your help! I want to be prepared....

Posted on Monday, Nov 15, 1999 - 7:30 am:

Instead of posting your question at the bottom of someone elses discussion you should create your own. You will get more responses and it helps others find related information better. This is the appropriate forum for your topic, so just back up to the Forum Page where all the discussions are listed. The easiest way to do this is using the navigation bar at the top of this page and selecting: Forum. Once on the Forum page select: New Discussions. Choose a title that is descriptive.
Administration
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC