USE OF CORTICOSTEROIDS AND AUROTHIOGLUCOSE IN A PYGMY GOAT WITH PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS

Pemphigus foliaceus was diagnosed in a 20-month-old female pygmy goat. The goat had a 3-month history of chronic exfoliative dermatitis and was examined after developing alopecia and severe, asymmetric, diffuse flakes of dry, nonadherent skin scales. Pemphigus foliaceus was diagn osed on the basis of dermatohistologic findings and was confirmed by a nalysis of results of direct immunofluorescence testing of perilesiona l specimens obtained by use of a punch biopsy. The goat was successful ly treated with prednisolone (immunosuppressive induction dosage; 1 mg /kg of body weight, IM, q 12 h). Remission was achieved in 1 week and was maintained by use of prednisolone (immunosuppressive maintenance d osage; 1 mg/kg, IM, q 48 h). Treatment with aurothioglucose (1 mg/kg, IM, q 7 d) that was initiated during administration of prednisolone an d was continued after discontinuation of corticosteroid administration failed to prevent redevelopment of pemphigus foliaceus.