What is Systemic Autoimmune Disease?
Systemic autoimmune disease is rare and occurs at any age. It occurs when high levels of antigen-antibody complexes form and deposit throughout the body, attacking cells, organs and tissues as they would normally attack diseases.
Systemic autoimmune disease refers to a number of autoimmune diseases in which a dog’s immune system begins to fight itself and its own protective antibodies, attacking its cells, organs, and tissues.
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Symptoms of Systemic Autoimmune Disease in Dogs
Symptoms may vary widely, depending upon the location of the immune complexes. Common symptoms across all types include:
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
- Fever
Additional symptoms are specific to certain types and are distinguished by the bodily system affected.
Hypoadrenocorticism (Addisons Disease)
Occurs when antibodies attack a dog’s adrenal gland. Symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Collapse and shock
- Kidney failure
- Lack of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Increased thirst and/or urine production
Hemolytic Anemia
Occurs when antibodies attack a dog’s red blood cells. Symptoms include:
- Anemia
- Free hemoglobin in blood and urine
- Jaundice
- Lethargy
- Blue, reddened, swollen, ulcerated or crusted extremities
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen spleen
Systemic Lupus Erythematous (Lupus)
Is a multiple organ autoimmune disease that occurs when antibodies attack cells, organs and tissues throughout a dog’s body. Symptoms can vary according to the disease’s progression and the sites affected although they include:
- Arthritis in multiple joints
- Hair loss
- Production of dandruff
- Skin ulcerations and crusting of extremities
- High body temperature
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia
- Weight loss
Thrombocytopenia
Occurs when antibodies attack a dog’s platelets, hindering the blood’s ability to clot properly. Can occur as a secondary condition to Systemic lupus erythematosus. Symptoms include:
- Hemorrhages and/or internal bleeding
- Nosebleeds
Myasthenia Gravis
Occurs when antibodies attack acetylcholine receptors in your dog’s muscles. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that controls muscle function. Symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Disinterest in exercise
- Difficulty swallowing
- Regurgitation of food
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Occurs when antibodies attack immunoglobulin G, which regulates your dog’s circulation. Symptoms include:
- Lameness
- Elevated body temperature
- Lack of appetite
- Swollen joints
- Restricted or nonexistent joint movement
- Dislocated joints
- A clicking, cracking or grating sound when joints are manipulated
Lymphocytic Thyroiditis
Occurs when antibodies attack your dog’s thyroid. Symptoms include:
- Hair loss
- Thinning skin
- Muscle weakness
- Slow heart rate
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dry eye
- Hyperpigmentation of skin
- Dandruff
- Lethargy
- Obesity
- Cold intolerance
- Fat deposits in the corner of the eye
Bullous Autoimmune Skin Disease
Occurs when antibodies attack your dog’s skin. Subsets and their symptoms are as follows:
- Pemphigus Vulgaris
- Erosions/ulcers around orifices which secrete discharge and crust over
- Depression
- Lack of appetite
- Pemphigus Foliaceus
- Pustules under skin surface
- Crusting
- Dandruff
- Loss of hair
- Excessive itchiness/scratching
- Hyperpigmentation, typically black in color
- Peeling foot pads
- Often found in the head and nose
- Pemphigus Vegetans
- Pustules
- Crusting
- Formation of papilloma, what looks like small warts
- Often found in groin area
- Pemphigus Erythematosus
- Sores secreting discharge
- Crusting
- Excessive itchiness/scratching
- Often found around the eyes, ears, and bridge of the nose
- Bullous Pemphigoid
- Erosions/ulcers around orifices which secrete discharge and crust over
- Depression
- Lack of appetite
- High body temperature
Breeds Affected
- Autoimmune Haemolytic Anemia
- Breeds - most often found in Cocker Spaniel, Old English Sheepdog, and Poodle breeds
- Gender - Is more often found in female than male dogs
- Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia
- Breeds - most often found in the Poodle breed
- Gender - Is more often found in female than male dogs
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Breeds - most often found in German Shepherd and Poodle breeds
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Breeds - most often found in toy breeds
Causes of Systemic Autoimmune Disease in Dogs
There is no identifiable cause of systemic autoimmune disease. While not a cause, ultraviolet light can exacerbate the disease.
Diagnosis of Systemic Autoimmune Disease in Dogs
Diagnosis of systemic autoimmune disease is difficult, as all dogs don’t exhibit the same symptoms, and many symptoms overlap with other diseases.
The veterinarian will conduct a comprehensive blood panel measuring complete blood count in order to measure red and white blood cells and determine if your dog has a low platelet count, low blood cortisol, and blood chemistries in order to determine if your dog tests positive for anti-nuclear antibodies, thyroid hormone levels, high plasma potassium concentrations, high calcium concentrations, high blood urea and creatinine. These blood metrics will determine if you dog has a systemic autoimmune disease, and if so, what type. For instance, a positive anti-nuclear antibodies test indicates lupus, a low platelet count indicates thrombocytopenia, low thyroid hormone level indicates lymphocytic thyroiditis.
Treatment of Systemic Autoimmune Disease in Dogs
Your dog may or may not require hospitalization, depending on the severity of the symptoms. In cases of extreme red blood cell destruction, your dog will need to be hospitalized in order to manage red blood cell levels. However, in many situations, the disease can be treated on an outpatient basis. Corticosteroids like prednisone are prescribed to decrease inflammation and autoimmune activity. Often, this will be supplemented with a secondary immunosuppressant, such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide or cyclosporine. Additional treatment will depend upon the type of autoimmune disease.
- Hypoadrenocorticism - Requires long-term mineralcorticoid therapy, likely with fludrocortisone acetate, in order to restore salt and water balances.
- Hemolytic Anemia and Thrombocytopenia - May or may not require a blood transfusion and surgical removal of your dog’s spleen.
- Myasthenia Gravis - Requires cholinesterase inhibiters, such as pyridostigmine bromide, injected daily.
- Rheumatoid arthritis - Requires aspirin, only in the absence of lupus and thrombocytopenia. Additionally, your dog will be prescribed cytotoxic drugs (or antineoplastics), which target and attack the dangerous antibodies. Common cytotoxics include azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. An additional tactic may be gold salt therapy, which helps to reduce further inflammation and slow progression of the disease.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematous (Lupus) - Requires cytotoxic drugs, such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide.
- Lymphocytic Thyroiditis - Requires synthetic thyroid hormone replacement therapy to return to normal thyroid functioning.
- Bullous Autoimmune Skin Disease - Requires cytotoxic drugs azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, gold salt therapy, and limiting exposure to sunlight. Autoimmune skin diseases are exacerbated by ultraviolet light.
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Recovery of Systemic Autoimmune Disease in Dogs
Prognosis of dogs with systemic autoimmune disease varies widely, with some dogs dying of complications and others living a relatively healthy life with treatment. However, treatment will likely be necessary for your dog’s entire life. You must monitor you dog carefully for symptoms of side effects, and the veterinarian will likely require frequent checkups in order to make sure the treatment is appropriate. The frequency of checkups will likely decrease over time.
When you dog comes home, it is important to provide a comfortable, quiet space for recovery, possibly in a cage, until your dog is healthy enough to move around more. Continue to be aware of your dog’s exposure to sunlight, limiting outdoor exercise to dawn and twilight times. Other specific treatments will require additional precautions. For instance, in the case of kidney complications, the veterinarian will likely prescribe a specific diet.
Systemic Autoimmune Disease Average Cost
From 2 quotes ranging from $650 - $2,500
Average Cost
$1,400
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Systemic Autoimmune Disease Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Yorkie
Gucci
9 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Muscle Atrophy
Abdominal Distension
Lethargic
Depression
Unbalanced
Not Drinking
Uninterested
Gas Build Up
Inflammed Esophagus
My yorkie had a splenectomy for a 5" mass. Biopsy was benign. He weighed 8.6 lbs at the time. He developed AIHA days after the surgery and has been on prednisone .25 of a 20mg dose twice daily. 6 weeks later he is 7lbs and he hasn't drank water since the procedure. He maybe has drank 5 times on his own. We have been doing subq for WEEKS! All bloodwork is fine, yet he continues to waste away. He had a great appetite and eats well but he is skin and bones. He was not able to stand well and was falling over when walking so the prednisone dose was lowered to .25 once daily. His pcv is at 35 now and holding there on this dose. He is on a limited diet of salmon and potato and he also has issues with gas buildup in his belly now. He had to have a tube stuck down and have the foam in his stomach sucked out which cost us over $1000 in the ER. I have to feed him upright and small amounts at a time. How do I ensure he doesn't die from being too skinny and dehydrated often. What could be the reason he will not drink water anymore? Is the prednisone causing all of this? Please help, he needs to gain weight. He is no longer the same dog and it is disheartening to watch. I just want my buddy to enjiy life. All he does is sleep and he is very frail and thin.
July 26, 2017
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In cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, steroids are used to suppress the immune system to prevent the damage to the red blood cells. I understand that you’re concerned about Gucci, but treatment is centered around steroid treatment with supportive care to help keep weight and hydration. To try to get Gucci to eat and drink, try mixing a smooth wet food with some water to make a paste and place it in the microwave to warm it up slightly (like you would do for some baby food) as the consistency and the smell from being heated may make the food more appetising for her; apart from that, care is supportive. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Tibetien Terrier
Mackalu
7 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Open Sores On Back
My dog has had a chronic skin problem for a year. His auto immune system is causing sores on his back. They are open wound looking. He has had biopsys sent to MSU and Colorado State and they all com back where his body is attacking itself. He is on Predesone and when he goes off they come back. I do not want to keep him on these pills. Is there anything that can help? Diet? Holistic?
Inaapreciate your help
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
I understand your concern regarding the long term use of prednisone, however the use of corticosteroids is done to suppress the immune system to prevent the over activity which prevents the skin lesions from appearing. In some cases, tapering off the prednisone over a long period of time may be beneficial; unfortunately due to the nature of the condition, dietary management (which would be suitable for allergies etc…) and other holistic medications wouldn’t be suitable. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Siberian Husky/Border Collie
Lailah
2 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Rotting Toenails
Siberian Husky/Border Collie mix, 2 years old, whose toenails are rotting off...will a diet change fix this so she does not have to be on steroids very long? Vet has said it is an autoimmune disorder, I do not like the idea of my dog taking drugs-especially when they are not showing to help- and am wondering if there is another route I can take to help her heal?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
If the nails look like they are rotting, then there may be a fungal infection which would need to be treated with an antifungal medication, if they look dry or sloughing off then it may be symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy (SLO) which is an autoimmune disease. Some studies have found that daily fish oil (around 10ml or 0.3floz) has shown significant improvement in nail health. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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border collie/kelpie/malamute cross
jesse
6 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Red Blistering Top And Bottom Palate.
Clicky Joint Pain
Inner Ear Pain
Sore Throat
Intermittent Hot Mouth And Body
I have been to countless vets. One vet guessed pemphigus vulgaris. Another vet said if he had that he wouldve been dead already. Another vet said they have no idea. Another vet i told i have a strong gut instinct its all related to an immune issue i was told the only way to diagnose it was with a oral punch biopsy. I went ahead with it only to learn after it has nothing to do with diagnosing immune problems. Another vet said theres a special blood test so I went ahead with that but it was just a normal regular blood test. I am in constant guilt because hes in constant pain. I need to add on a side note he has moderate hip dysplasia. I have so many strangers say your dogs mouth is bleeding because it can get bright red. Bleed is always left on a ball or toy after playing. Gums are very healthy. He is my life and is active and i believe is happy but it breaks my heart to see the pain behind hes eyes. PLEASE HELP WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
It is difficult to diagnose a problem over the internet, especially when so many Veterinarian’s are having trouble. My immediate thought was of chemical or toxic irritation to the mouth by licking or eating something he shouldn’t. Did the regular blood test show any anomalies? Low platelets or high leukocytes? Autoimmune disease (pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease) is a possible diagnosis which may be treated with steroid administration (suppress the immune system). If general practice Veterinarians are stumped, it may be a case of visiting a specialist to see the oral lesions and to run other tests. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
A specialist is financially out the question. This has been going on for close to 2 yrs. Blood test normal. I refuse to give steroids due to side affects. The only possible irritant is when he swims in lakes/mangroves, however his symptoms are still the same in winter when not swimming so it can't be that.
July 26, 2017
jesse's Owner
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Systemic Autoimmune Disease Average Cost
From 2 quotes ranging from $650 - $2,500
Average Cost
$1,400
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
