Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 6/19/2007

Question
My 3 year old chow/Golden Retriever mix developed a hypopigmented area on the top part nose about a month ago that has not gotten any better.  That part of her nose is also smoother than the rest.  I'm worried this is discoid lupus based on other pictures I have seen of dogs with this condition (I can send a pic of my dog if that would help).  I am also worried that she could have systemic lupus, based on other symptoms she has had at various times -- she has limped a few times for about a week at a time, she is a very itchy dog (which we thought was due to food allergies), and she recently had what we think was a UTI (we couldn't get a urine sample but she was licking her urethra and it went away with a week of antibiotics).  How common is this disease in dogs and how worried should I be?

Answer
Discoid lupus can be confirmed with a biopsy sent off to a pathologist.  If it is discoid lupus, a topical drug called tacrolimus is the best thing. Not too worrisome. If there are systemic signs, then a lifelong tetracycline/niacinamide therapy is needed. Check with your vet.