694 DISEASES/DISORDERS
Cyclosporine 5–10 mg/kg PO q24h.
Dosage and frequency of medications tapered with response.
Long-term therapy necessary.
Topical or subconjunctival steroids and atropine may be indicated with anterior
uveitis.
COMMENTS
CBC and biochemistry: day 7; every 2–4 weeks until remission; then every 3–
6 months when on azathioprine; routine monitoring with use of prednisolone and
cyclosporine.Avoid using affected animals for breeding.
Referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist recommended for management of ocular dis-
ease.
Weekly or biweekly examinations including retinal evaluations: recommended ini-
tially for monitoring side effects associated with therapeutics.
Retinal examinations are required; improvement in dermatologic lesions may not
reflect improvement in retinal lesions.
Azathioprine may be discontinued after a few months of therapy; prednisolone may
be necessary indefinitely.
Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism: often a result of the steroid therapy.
Cyclosporine may be used as a steroid-sparing protocol.
Prognosis is fair to guarded.
Blindness is a common sequela.
Depigmentation of the skin/hair is often permanent; may improve in some cases.