page_title: Canine discoid lupus erythematosus
section_title: Symptoms
hierarchical_section_title: Canine discoid lupus erythematosus / Symptoms
caption_attribution_description: canine cutaneous lupus of the planum nasale / discoid lupus
context_page_description: Discoid lupus erythematosus is an uncommon autoimmune disease of the basal cell layer of the skin. It occurs in humans and cats, more frequently occurring in dogs. It was first described in dogs by Griffin and colleagues in 1979. DLE is one form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. DLE occurs in dogs in two forms: a classical facial predominant form or generalized with other areas of the body affected. Other non-discoid variants of CLE include vesicular CLE, exfoliative CLE and mucocutaenous CLE. It does not progress to systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs. SLE can also have skin symptoms, but it appears that the two are either separate diseases. DLE in dogs differs from SLE in humans in that plasma cells predominate histologically instead of T lymphocytes. Because worsening of symptoms occurs with increased ultraviolet light exposure, sun exposure most likely plays a role in DLE, although certain breeds are predisposed. After pemphigus foliaceus, DLE is the second most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs.
context_section_description: The most common initial symptom is scaling and loss of pigment on the nose. The surface of the nose becomes smooth gray, and ulcerated, instead of the normal black cobblestone texture.  Over time the lips, the skin around the eyes, the ears, and the genitals may become involved.  Lesions may progress to ulceration and lead to tissue destruction.  DLE is often worse in summer due to increased sun exposure.
caption: Canine discoid lupus erythematosus showing loss of noseprint, depigmentation, ulceration and tissue destruction - all characteristic of the syndrome
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