Page 859 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

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Figures 18.19 a and b Sometimes pemphigus foliaceus lesions are restricted to the coronary band and the lower pastern

Severely affected animals may:

• be depressed
• be lethargic

• have a temperature

• lose their appetite

• lose weight and condition

• develop oedema of their lower limbs or along the ventral midline.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made on the history and clinical signs, and confirmed with several skin
biopsies, ideally of early blister-like lesions. If blood tests are taken, they may show that the
horse is anaemic and has raised neutrophils. It may also have low blood albumin and raised

globulins.

Treatment

The most successful treatment for this condition is oral corticosteroids, i.e. prednisolone or
dexamethasone. Initially, these have to be given at a high, daily dose. When there is a
significant improvement, this is gradually reduced to the lowest dose that stops the lesions

recurring, given on alternate days. When the lesions have completely healed and the horse