PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS

The “pemphigus complex” is a group immune-mediated skin diseases involving inappropriate immunological attack against one of the normal layers of the skin. Different types of pemphigus involves different areas within the skin layers.

OOPS , YOUR EPIDERMIS IS SHOWING

The outer layer of the skin is called the “epidermis” and consists of cells arranged in layers. Living new cells are at the bottom and dead cells are at the top, exposed to the outside world where they are constantly brushing off. The cells that make up the skin are keratinocytes (what we think of as skin cells), melanocytes (which produce pigment and give us a sun tan), Langerhans’ cells (part of the immune system), and Merkel cells (“mechanoreceptors” which let the nervous system know we are being touched). 

Drawing showing the different layers of the epidermis (skin).
Each layer consists of a different type of skin cells with cells
moving from the bottom layers to the top as they age.
(Photocredit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s look at the layers of normal skin starting at the bottom:

Basal Layer (or “stratum basale”)
This is where new skin cells are “born.” New skin cells or “keratinocytes” divide here. As they reproduce, they make a structural protein called “keratin” and are pushed upward, creating new layers of skin, until they die and form the outer-most skin layer.

The basal layer of keratinocytes is only one cell thick. Underneath, the basal layer are other tissues: dermis, muscle, and fat. Merkel cells and melanocytes also live in the basal layer but we are concerned with the maturing keratinocytes for now.

Spinous Layer (or “prickle cell layer” or “stratum spinosum”)
When basal cells divide they move upward to the spinous layer which is 1-2 cells thick (much thicker on foot pads, the leather of the nose and other special areas). These cells appear to have little “prickles” connecting them, hence the name. Langerhans cells, which are part of the immune system, live in this area.

Granular Layer (or “stratum granulosum”)
As the cells continue to divide and cover themselves with keratin, they move up to the granular layer (named for what appear to be granules inside the cells). This layer is also 1-2 cells thick generally but is thicker around hair follicles.

Clear Layer (or “stratum lucidum”)
Cells at this layer are now dead and fully covered in keratin. They are flat and tough. This layer provides a sort of an extra layer of protection and is only present in the food pads and leather of the nose.

Horny Layer (or “stratum corneum”)
If you look at your own skin right now this is the layer you are looking at. The cells are dead, fully covered in keratin, and overlap in flat plates. They are all about forming a barrier against the environment without which life would not be possible. These cells slough off with friction and motion, this cell loss being balanced by the production of new cells in the basal layer. In other words, as old dead cells flake off, they are replaced with new cells that have been working their way upward from the basal layer all this time.

BACK TO THE PEMPHIGUS COMPLEX

The pemphigus skin diseases involve immunological attack of the attachment of skin cells to one another.

PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS – The attachment of the basal cell layer and prickle cell layer is attacked forming fluid filled blisters called “vesicles.” These easily rupture leaving painful ulcerative lesions.

PEMPHIGUS ERYTHEMATOSUS - The attachment of the stratum corneum is attacked.

BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID – The attachment of the whole epidermis to the dermis is attacked.

PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS – The attachment of the granular cells to one another is attacked. Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common immune-mediated skin disease of the dog and cat. The separation of granular cells creates crusts and ulcers generally around the eyes, ears, footpads, groin, and bridge of the nose. In cats, lesions also orient at the toenail beds creating crusty sore feet and around the nipples creating crusty rings. The Akita seems to be particularly predisposed to the development of this condition. Pemphigus foliaceus is usually spontaneous but can also be drug induced or can result as a reaction to years of chronic skin disease.

Akita (Photocredit: SevenFatDogs via Wikimedia Commons)

 (original graphics by marvistavet.com)

DIAGNOSIS  

TREATMENT 

Max after 4 months of treatment
(original graphics by marvistavet.com)

The treatment for pemphigus foliaceus is immune-suppression so as to stop or at least reduce the immunological war going on in the skin layers. There are many drugs that can be used but the usual foundation of therapy is high doses of corticosteroids (either prednisone or dexamethasone). Secondary infections are common and antibiotic therapy is required. Special anti-bacterial baths may also help.

Side effects from high doses of steroid hormones are to be expected. The patient will drink excessively, urinate excessively, be very hungry, and gain weight. Dogs will pant a lot and cats run the risk of developing diabetes mellitus if they are on high doses long enough. Incontinence from all the water consumption can be problematic. Mobility issues from obesity can also result. All of this presents an unpleasant side effect picture, though cats tend to be more tolerant. It is not unusual to add additional medications into the regimen so as to reduce the load of corticosteroids.

For dogs that cannot tolerate steroids at doses high enough to control the pemphigus symptoms (or for whom steroids alone are unable to control symptoms), cyclosporine has been very helpful. It takes a good month or so to see a reliable effect so usually the steroids are used to start off but, for many patients, long term management can be effected with cyclosporine alone. Cyclosporine is an excellent choice for reducing steroid side effect issues and has mostly replaced some of the older adjunctive drugs.

Before cyclosporine was readily available or is something more "heavy duty" is needed for dogs, azathioprine, a stronger immune-suppressant, is generally added in. It should be realized that it can take up to 2 months for azathioprine to exert a significant effect and the corticosteroid is needed during this time. Azathioprine has potential to cause bone marrow suppression and blood testing is needed every 2 weeks during initial treatment, though this interval can be tapered as the patient becomes more stable. For cats who do not tolerate or respond to corticosteroids alone, chlorambucil is similarly recommended with similar monitoring.

More recently oclacitinib (Apoquel^®) has shown a great deal of promise in the treatment of pemphigus foliaceus and might be included in a regimen though research is continuing.

Expense and side effects can be very taxing for a pet owning family and in one retrospective study of 43 dogs with pemphigus foliaceus a 60% mortality rate was observed, largely reflecting euthanasia. With the advent of newer drugs, the statistic has dropped to 10-18% of patients being euthanized because of expense, lack of response, or medication side effects.

Treatment for this condition is gradually withdrawn after the lesions are cleared up and the patient is stable. Many dogs ultimately discontinue all treatment permanently but this is after many months. It is important not to be discouraged by failure to achieve a rapid response; this condition requires time and patience. Expect some kind of maintenance therapy to be needed lifelong.

For information on long term side effects of corticosteroid use click here.

Page last updated: 2/26/2026