Autoimmune Disorder (Uveodermatologic Syndrome) in Dogs

Autoimmune disorders are conditions where the body’s immune system attacks its own cells. Uveodermatologic syndrome is a specific form of autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks pigmentation cells in the eyes, hair, and skin.

The disease usually affects the pigmentation cells in the eyes first, leading to discomfort and vision loss.

Once uveodermatologic syndrome begins to affect the coat, additional symptoms include:

• Whitening of the coat
• Whitening of the skin, particularly noticeable around the eyes, nose, lips, and inside the mouth, and sometimes on the scrotum, vulva, anus, or foot pads

Symptoms relating to the skin and hair are cosmetic and do not impact quality of life.

Uveodermatologic syndrome is a rare condition in dogs. Early detection and treatment are required to prevent blindness, therefore immediate veterinary attention is needed for dogs with sore, red eyes.

Uveodermatologic syndrome shows a strong breed predisposition in Akitas. Other breeds that tend to be at risk include:

• Siberian huskies
• Alaskan malamutes
• Samoyeds

Male dogs appear to be more at risk than females.

The cause of this syndrome is not yet fully understood. It is theorized that a viral infection triggers an inappropriate immune response, which causes antibodies to attack the pigment-making cells in the body. The highest concentration of these cells is in the uvea, the part of the eye that includes the iris. For this reason, the first symptoms of uveodermatologic syndrome occur in the eyes. This is followed (often a few months later) by depigmentation of the coat or skin.

The initial main symptoms of uverodermatologic syndrome occur in the eyes.

Diagnosis seeks to rule out other more common causes of eye redness and blindness, as uveodermatologic syndrome is very rare. Diagnostic tools include:

• Physical examination
• Eye examination
• Biopsy of affected skin

Treatment aims to suppress the autoimmune reaction using steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs. These are often administered both topically on the eyes and onto the affected skin and coat, as well as internally in the form of pills. Treatment typically continues for months or even years.

Dogs with whitened skin or coats do not suffer any pain or damage due to these symptoms and are only affected cosmetically.

Dogs with red, sore eyes typically experience pain. With early treatment, the prognosis for the dog’s eyesight is fair. The likelihood of permanent blindness increases with delays in treatment or the development of more serious eye disease. In severe cases, the eyes may need to be removed to maintain quality of life and reduce discomfort.

Dogs undergoing treatment for uveodermatologic syndrome require routine veterinary examinations to monitor the progression of treatment and make adjustments in medications.

There are no proven preventative measures for uveodermatologic syndrome. Avoiding breeding affected dogs or their immediate relatives is recommended.

Uveodermatologic syndrome is rare in dogs.

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroids
• Surgical removal of eyes