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

Oclacitinib shows promise as monotherapy or adjunctive agent for canine autoimmune blistering diseases.

This retrospective analysis evaluated oclacitinib (OC), a JAK inhibitor, as a treatment option for three autoimmune blistering diseases in dogs: pemphigus foliaceus (PF), pemphigus vulgaris (PV), and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). Twenty-one dogs with histopathologically confirmed diagnoses were reviewed across two institutions (2014-2025). OC monotherapy was effective in 8 of 18 PF dogs (5 clinical remissions, 3 partial remissions) at median dose 0.65 mg/kg/day. One PV and one MMP dog achieved clinical remission with OC alone. Additionally, OC served as corticosteroid-sparing or adjunctive therapy in 7 of 18 PF dogs at median dose 0.6 mg/kg/day. OC was ineffective in 3 PF dogs. One PV dog on combination therapy died from pancreatitis. The study demonstrates OC efficacy in a subset of autoimmune blistering disease cases, potentially reducing corticosteroid dependence. However, lack of statistical analysis, small sample size, and unknown long-term safety profile at higher doses limit conclusions. This work provides preliminary evidence for OC as a therapeutic option in canine pemphigus and MMP management.

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