Management of Vitamin A Responsive Dermatosis: A Comprehensive Approach

Abstract

Two Labrador Retriever dogs were presented to the Small Animal Dermatology Unit, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, with a history of recurrent skin lesions and mild pruritus in the last 1.5 months. The animals were active and alert with pink conjunctival mucous membranes. Vital signs revealed a rectal temperature of 38.4oC and 38.2oC. Generalized dry crusty lesions, patchy alopecia, hyperkeratinization and rancid fatty odour were noted on integumentary examination. The blood picture revealed leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Skin scraping, adhesive tape impression technique, and Wood's lamp technique were negative. Skin histopathology revealed no keratinization. Based on clinical examination and differential diagnosis of primary keratinization disorder, the animals were treated with a Inj. Vitamin AD3E @ 2mL intramuscularly once a week for five weeks and Inj. Chlorpheniramine maleate @ 0.5 mg/kg/IM once followed with oral antihistamine for 5 days and Vitamin A supplementation. The skin lesions healed rapidly and completely with vitamin A treatment, and the cases were confirmed as vitamin A-responsive dermatosis