What is Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome?
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome was researched and discovered by the scientists Vogt, Koyanagi and Harada. VKH disease is also referred to as Uveodermatological syndrome (UDS). The body’s overactive immune system sends T-cells to attack the melanocytes. T-cells are a type of white blood cell which work with the body’s immune system to search and destroy “invaders” in the body. The “invaders” are usually infected cells that have turned into viruses, not melanocytes. T-cells mature in the thymus and are also known as T-lymphocytes.
80% of the cases with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome occur in the Akita breed. It is also more frequently found in male dogs. Symptoms may appear in puppies as young as 6 months of age or in older dogs.
Clinical signs of the disease sometimes appear after a sudden stressful period. The T-cells usually start attacking the eyes of the dog, and then affects the pigmentation of the skin and coat. Unlike humans with VKH, dogs do not experience meningitis or deafness. The disease is usually not life-threatening but left untreated, can cause pain and eventually blindness. If your dog is showing signs of VKH disease he should be seen by a veterinarian.
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH disease) is an autoimmune disease that affects people of Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Native American descent. VKH disease attacks the melanocytes in the body. Melanocytes are the skin cells that produce the pigment melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives pigment (color) to our skin, hair and eyes. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like symptoms can occur in certain dog breeds such as the Akita, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Old English Sheepdog and the Australian Shepherd.
Symptoms of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in Dogs
Symptoms may include:
- Inflammation of the eyes
- Bloodshot eyes
- Excessive tearing
- Squinting
- Sensitivity to light
- Whitening of the coat, skin, nose, lips, nails, footpads and scrotum
- A black dog slowly turns solid white.
Secondary glaucoma, cataracts or retinal detachment may cause the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Bulging eyes
- Partial blindness
- Cloudy cornea
- Blindness
Causes of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in Dogs
- Vogt- Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in dogs is believed to be an auto-immune disease; this means that the body’s immune system attacks its own cells
- Genetic - inherited
- Some researchers believe that the disease is triggered by a viral infection
Diagnosis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in Dogs
In addition to a physical exam where the veterinarian may check your dog’s temperature, pulse and blood pressure, he will perform an ocular exam, which may include a pupillary light reflex test. Further investigation may include a Schirmer tear test, measurement of the intraocular pressure, and a checking of the interior of the eye. The doctor will also recommend taking a complete blood count and a serum chemistry panel.
If the veterinarian suspects Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome he may also want to take a skin biopsy test. Skin biopsies take only a small sample of skin. The results of a skin biopsy from patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada usually shows acanthosis of the epidermis (thickening of the cell layer of skin) and melanin is decreased or absent in the sample.
Treatment of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in Dogs
Once VKH is diagnosed, the veterinarian will want to start your dog on immunosuppression therapy which may include systemic and topical anti-inflammatory medications. The dosage of the medications will vary with each canine depending on the severity of the symptoms. Most veterinarians will start the patient on higher doses of medications and then taper off once the disease is in remission.
Your dog might be prescribed prednisone and then azathioprine (once in remission). Immunosuppression drugs may have side effects such as increased thirst, hunger, susceptibility to bacterial infections, loss of energy, vomiting and panting. Steroid eye drops or injections of steroids may be administered into the patient’s conjunctival membrane.
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Recovery of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in Dogs
Although there is no known cure for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in dogs, the disease can be kept under control with long-term immunosuppressive medication. It is important to follow the veterinarian’s treatment plan. The patient must have regular follow-up visits to monitor his progress and to evaluate if there are any side effects to the medications. Regular ocular exams and tests must be performed to help assess any further damage to your dog’s eyes. Dogs that have partial eyesight loss or blindness can still live full and happy lives with your patience and assistance.
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Akita
Cammie
6 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Itching
Eye Itching; Eye Irritation
I live in Texas and have a 6 year old akita mix (65%, 12.5 shepherd, 12.5 x 2 alaskan dogs, she was DNA tested) who is in the just over beginning stages of VKH. The pigment and hair are/have turning white around the eyes and jawline. This started some 6 months ago. She is now just starting to have actual eye irritation to the point where she is having issues seeing. I have diagnosed this myself as I have been to and talked to many vets in the area (one gave her Bravecto and the other a cortezone injection neither helped, including Texas A&M Veterinary School and no one has heard of this and does not know how to proceed. Per the advise of one clinic I contacted UC Davis 2 days ago and while they said I could submit samples as part of their studies, they had forwarded the info to someone who was supposed to hopefully get back to me. I am desperate for help as I have seen online where these dogs can actually lose their eyes. Your drop down symptom menu will not let me add all.
Jan. 28, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. I'm sorry that you feel that Cammie is having this problem. The diagnosis for this syndrome involves a skin biopsy, as well as evaluation of clinical signs, so that would be the first thing that you might want your veterinarian to do to confirm the diagnosis. Once confirmed, although there is no known cure for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in dogs, the disease can be kept under control with long-term immunosuppressive medication. It is important to follow a veterinarian’s treatment plan. The patient must have regular follow-up visits to monitor his progress and to evaluate if there are any side effects to the medications. Regular ocular exams and tests must be performed to help assess any further damage to Cammie's eyes. Dogs that have partial eyesight loss or blindness can still live full and happy lives with your patience and assistance.
Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/condition/vogt-koyanagi-harada-syndrome
Jan. 29, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
Brody
13.5
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
As Above
My black lab has been diagnosed with VKH, lost his vision, but regained some/most of it after 4 weeks of steroids. He has lost a lot if his hair, and a lot of muscle wasting as well. He looks so frail, and having trouble with strength in back legs. 2 questions: he had strangles as a puppy and are they related? And will his hair and muscles grow back?
Oct. 14, 2017
0 Recommendations
Whilst both puppy strangles and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome are caused by overactive immune systems, I am unaware of any connection between the two conditions. As for any recovery, this is on a case by case basis but usually dogs will need life long medical management. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 14, 2017
She is experiencing hair loss on her nose and the doctor prescribed this medication. I just wanted to know will this help with the hair loss on nose?
Feb. 27, 2018
Tia P.
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Saint Bernard
Cali
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Pain
Retina Detachment
Losing Color In Coat
Nose Peeling
At 11 months Cali suddenly went blind in both eyes. After a bunch of test we found out she has vkh in oct 2019. She was put on very high steroids and anti rejection medications. She was getting some light reflection sight. Then it just started getting worse and her eyes got even redder and bulging more. Her eyelids are swollen and shes losing coloration. Tomorrow she is scheduled for eye removal. Her eyes are not just a cloudy look but you can see blood pooling in her eyeballs. My husband gave her a bath and wiped her eyes and there was blood from her eyes. Im so attached to her and so nervous and concerned over surgery. This is a awful disease
