468 DISEASES/DISORDERS
SIGNALMENT/HISTORY
Facial-Predominant Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE)
Dogs: age range reported as middle-aged to older; rare in cats.
Most common immune-mediated skin disease in dogs.
Also termed cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE).
Predominant breeds affected: collie, German shepherd, Siberian husky, Shetland
sheepdog, Alaskan malamute, chow chow, and their crosses.
Predominantly involves the planum nasale and dorsal muzzle; pinnae and mucous
membranes of the head (lips, eyelid) less commonly affected.
Characterized primarily by depigmentation followed by erosion/ulceration of the
planum nasale.
Lack of systemic symptoms.
Generalized discoid lupus erythematosus (GDLE)
Dogs: age range reported as 5–12 years (median 9 years).
No sex or breed predilection.
Generalized lesions similar in appearance to DLE develop on the body and extremi-
ties.
Characterized by plaques of dyspigmentation with erosion/ulceration followed by
scarring.
Lack of systemic symptoms.
Mucous membrane cutaneous lupus erythematosus (MCLE)
Dogs: age range reported as 3–13 years (median 6 years).
No sex predilection.
Predominant breed affected: German shepherd.
Lesions noted at genital/perigenital, anal/perianal, perioral, and periocular regions.
Characterized by well-demarcated erosions/ulcerations with peripheral hyperpig-
mentation.
Lack of systemic symptoms.
Vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus (VCLE)
Dogs: age range reported as middle-aged to older.
Exacerbated by UV light.
Breeds affected: Collie and Shetland sheepdog.
Characterized by confluent patches of ulceration on the ventrum and mucocutaneous
junctions.
Lack of systemic symptoms.