Sterile idiopathic pedal panniculitis in the German shepherd dog--clinical presentation and response to treatment of four cases.

Four cases of sterile idiopathic pedal panniculitis are described in the German shepherd dog. All the dogs presented with characteristic clinical signs of localised panniculitis dorsal to the midline of the carpal or tarsal pads of one or more legs. Diagnostic procedures did not identify a cause for the panniculitis and none of the cases had a history of penetrating foreign bodies. All cases failed to respond to antibiotic therapy but cases failed to respond to antibiotic therapy but did respond to anti-inflammatory doses of prednisone. The lesions in three dogs relapsed once the levels of steroids were reduced. However, in two of the cases oral vitamin E therapy at a dose of 300 iu twice daily acted in a steroid sparing capacity. In a fourth case, vitamin E acted to control the clinical signs without steroid therapy.