Success of treatment and prognosis for the pet depends of what stage the animal is in at the time of diagnosis, and whether there are any infections present. Once diagnosed, animals need to be treated aggressively to attempt to contro the disease. DLE is a benign form of SLE which affects only the skin. It is caused by the immune system attacking the base of the outer layer of skin. The most common sign of DLE is nasal dermatitis involving loss of pigment, redness, and erosion.
Owners usually present dogs for scaling and crusting of the nose, and in some cases, the feet.
Diagnosis of DLE involves biopsy of the affected skin. Treatment is similar to SLE and involves immunosuppressive drugs until skin lesions resolve. Tetracycline and niacinamide, vitamin E, avoiding exposure to sunlight, and other topical applications can be used to control skin lesions. Long term prognosis for DLE is generally good as long as the disease is well-controlled and any concurrent infections are treated.