Funding for Research into Hereditary Lupoid Dermatosis in the German Shorthaired Pointer

The GSPCA Board voted to co-fund with the AKC/CHF an ACORN Grant ("The ACORN program is designed to allow researchers to complete small, relatively short timeframe projects, test research hypotheses, and/or generate preliminary data for possible future grant proposals as larger scale or longer term studies. Payments for ACORN grants are made in three equal payments upon grant start, at mid-term (usually six months) and upon completion") to Dr. Margret Casal of the University of Pennsylvania to search for the mode of inheritance of Lupoid Dermatosis in German Shorthaired Pointer. Any further donation may be made to the AKC/CHF GSPCA Donor Advised Fund through the AKC/CHF or the GSPCA.

This as with many other diseases that are shared with humans (called Cutaneous Lupus Erthematosis) will not only help our breed but should lead to avenues of discovery in human research as well. Canine disease is much easier to follow in research through the extensive pedigree information we keep. As well as the fact that dogs have many more offspring in a litter to follow. We should be very proud that we can not only help our breed but help fellow humans that share this horrible disease.

Lupoid Dermatosis is unique to our breed. It has been reported in the US, Europe and Australia. The first communication was in 1990 and the first published report was in 1992 (Gross & Ihrke). The fact that this disease is exclusive to our breed and the familial incidence strongly suggests a hereditary origin.

What is Lupoid Dermatosis?
Dogs affected begin to show signs between 6 months and 3 years old. They develop scaling starting with the face, ears and back which progresses to a generalized pattern. The lesions are  painful and or itchy. The symptoms seem to wax and wane for no apparent reason. A secondary pyoderma (skin infection) may also be present. Fever and swollen lymph nodes may be present as well.

Diagnosis and Treatment?
The diagnosis is made by skin biopsy. The diagnosis is guarded. No consistently effective treatment has been found. Therefore the disease is usually fatal.

Breeding Advice
"Affected dogs, their siblings, and parents should not be bred. In this way, this condition may be eliminated before it becomes established in the breed".

Information compiled by Leita Estes from several source including but not limited to:

Clinical, histopathological and immunological characteristics of exfoliative cutaneous lupus erthematosus in 25 German Shorthaired Pointers
Sharon L. Bryden, Stephan D. White et al.
Veterinary Dermatology 2005, 16, 239-252