Treatment of Canine Pemphigus Foliaceus, Pemphigus Vulgaris and Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid With Oclacitinib: A Retrospective Analysis of 21 Cases

Abstract

This study was performed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of oclacitinib (OC) (Apoquel; Zoetis) as a treatment option for pemphigus foliaceus (PF), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). To determine if OC can reduce or replace the corticosteroid use in dogs with PF, PV and MMP. There were no animal subjects. Multicentre retrospective study reviewing medical records from two institutions for dogs diagnosed with PF, PV or MMP and prescribed OC between 2014 and 2025. Twenty‐one dogs diagnosed with PF, PV or MMP via histopathological results were included. OC alone was effective in eight of 18 PF dogs at a median dose of 0.65 mg/kg/day per os (range 0.5–1.9 mg/kg/day p.o.). Five dogs reached clinical remission, and three reached partial remission. One PV dog and the MMP dog each reached clinical remission with OC alone at 0.7 mg/kg/day and 0.24 mg/kg every other day, respectively. OC was a corticosteroid‐sparing agent or adjunctive therapy in seven of 18 PF dogs at a median dose of 0.6 mg/kg/day (range 0.4–2.4 mg/kg/day). One PV dog reached partial remission at OC 1.9 mg/kg/day and prednisone 1.8 mg/kg/day yet died from pancreatitis. OC was ineffective in three of 18 PF dogs at a median dose of 1.0 mg/kg/day p.o. (range 0.9–1.2 mg/kg/day p.o.). Statistical significance was not analysed. OC is an effective sole therapeutic agent or adjunctive therapy in a subset of dogs with PF, PV or MMP. The long‐term safety of higher doses of OC is unknown.