Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-Like Syndrome (VKH Syndrome), also known as Uveodermatologic Syndrome, is an immune-mediated disease in which the body inappropriately attacks its own melanocytes. Uveitis leading to blindness is often the first noticeable sign and may appear as painful and/or bloodshot eyes, diminished vision, constricted pupils, cloudy eyes, or changes in eye color. Typically within three to six months after the eye disease has begun, the coat begins to whiten. This occurs in some 90% of affected dogs, though it sometimes only occurs on the face. Some 50% of affected dogs also experience a whitening of the skin, typically on the eyelids, footpads, lips, nose and scrotum.
Some believe that the immune-reaction of VKH Syndrome may initially be triggered by a virus. VKH occurs more commonly in male dogs, as well as in Nordic breeds and Akitas. Diagnosis is best done with a skin biopsy.
Because the eye disease has the most serious outcome (blindness) and the skin disease is typically only a cosmetic concern, treatment then focuses on the eye disease. Uveitis due to VKH syndrome is treated just as uveitis caused by other reasons. Corticosteroids such as prednisone are used orally and topically to suppress the inflammation. To prevent blindness, on-going immune suppression is needed for VKH syndrome and, often times, the corticosteroid is eventually switched to azathioprine. Continued topical treatment is also needed, usually with steroid-containing eye drops or steroid injection. Controlling eye pain may also be required. |
