chapter 47 Uveodermatologic Syndrome.............................
DEFINITION/OVERVIEW
Rare syndrome similar to Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome in humans.
Considered to be an autoimmune disorder resulting in concurrent granulomatous
uveitis and depigmenting dermatitis (skin and hair) and rare meningoencephalitis.
Multisystem autoimmune disease affecting pigmented tissue of the eye, ear, nervous
system, skin, and hair.
ETIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Autoimmune disease with genetic factors; autoantibodies against melanocytes result
in panuveitis, leukoderma, and leukotrichia.
Antiretinal antibodies have been found in affected dogs.
TH1 cytokines involved in skin pathology; TH2 cytokines may be more involved with
ocular pathology.
Exposure to sunlight exacerbates symptoms.
SIGNALMENT/HISTORY
Predominant breeds: akitas, samoyeds, and Siberian huskies.
Young adult and middle-aged dogs.
No sex predilection reported.
Rarely reported in other breeds: chow chow, Alaskan malamute, Australian shepherd,
basset hound, Irish setter, fox terrier, dachshund, Shetland sheepdog, St Bernard, old
English sheepdog, Brazilian fila, German shepherd dog, shiba inu.CLINICAL FEATURES
Sudden-onset bilateral uveitis: may be painful and progress to blindness.
Concurrent or subsequent leukoderma of the nose, lips, and eyelids.
Footpads, scrotum, anus, and hard palate may also become depigmented.
Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Dermatology, Third Edition.
Karen Helton Rhodes and Alexander H. Werner.
©2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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