472 DISEASES/DISORDERS
administered with niacinamide 250 mg PO for dogs<10 kg and 500 mg PO for dogs
>10 kg.Topical corticosteroids – betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% or fluocinolone 0.1%:
apply sparingly q24h for 14 days; then EOD or twice weekly; if in remission, switch
to less potent product (e.g., 0.5% or 2.5% hydrocortisone).Topical tacrolimus 0.1%: apply sparingly q24h for 14 days; then EOD or twice weekly.
Prednisolone: 1–2 mg/kg PO BID initially tapered to EOD or twice weekly either solely
or in combination with cytotoxic immunosuppressive drugs.
Azathioprine: 2 mg/kg or 50 mg/m^2 PO daily until remission; then EOD or twice
weekly; not for use in cats.
Chlorambucil: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q24h until remission; then EOD or twice weekly.
Cyclosporine, microemulsion: 5–10 mg/kg q24h until remission; then EOD or twice
weekly.
Leflunomide: 2–4 mg/kg q24h or divided BID.
Mycophenolate mofetil: 10 mg/kg PO BID.
Vitamin E: 10–20 IU/kg PO ql2h; may help reduce inflammation.
COMMENTS
CBC and biochemistry: day 7; every 2–4 weeks until remission; then every 3–6
months when on oral medications.
Avoid using affected animals for breeding.
May be disfiguring; often scarring.
Tissue loss of the nasal planum may create a source of trauma-induced bleeding.
Avoid sunlight/apply sunblock.
Monitor for development of secondary bacterial folliculitis.
Expected Course and Prognosis
DLE is progressive but not usually life-threatening.
DLE/GDLE/MCLE/VCLE: fair to good prognosis with treatment.
ECLE: guarded to poor prognosis.
SLE: guarded to poor prognosis especially with development of hemolytic anemia,
glomerulonephritis or secondary bacterial infection.