Canine Lupus
Types Of Canine Lupus
Canine lupus is an incurable disease, which fortunately in most cases is treatable or somewhat controllable. It is similar in some respects to lupus in humans, though not exactly the same, and affects dogs only. Canine lupus is an auto immune disease in which antibodies created in the dog's immune system attack the dog's own internal organs. The disease can vary in its severity and in its symptoms, and an accurate diagnosis of the disease can often prove to be difficult to obtain.
There are two distinct types of canine lupus, one of which is fairly common, though usually affecting only certain breeds. The other type, and the one most difficult to deal with, is fortunately quite rare. These two types of canine lupus are Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE), also referred to as Canine Discoid Lupus, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, more commonly known as Canine Systemic Lupus (CSL).
Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus - Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) is the more common of the two types, and fortunately the easiest of the two to diagnose and treat. While in theory CLE could affect any breed of dog, it seems to target some breeds more than others, especially the German Shepherd, the Siberian Husky, the Collie, and several of the Short haired Pointer breeds. CLE generally attacks tissue on a dog's head, particularly on the muzzle and around the nose. The nose itself often provides the first clue as to the presence of the disease, as the skin on the nose becomes smooth and shiny. The skin eventually becomes covered with crusts and scabs and scales. Inflammation may spread across the dog's face as the disease progresses, attacking still more tissue. The foot pads may also be involved as well as the ears.
Chemotherapy is often the preferred method of treatment, together with initially high doses of steroids followed by lower doses which are often necessary for the remainder of the dog's life. There are several natural remedies that are applied at times in the hopes of settling down the immune system. Hopefully, it will be less apt to create more antibodies which then attack tissue. Sulfur and compounds containing sulfur can also be effective, as can any number of antioxidants which tend to have a calming effect on the immune system. At times the disease will appear to go into complete remission and the immune system essentially behaves itself again, though periodic flare-ups can, and often do occur.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is the second type of canine lupus encountered, and by far the worst of the two types. Fortunately, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus more commonly known as Canine Systemic Lupus (CSL), is really quite rare. As the name implies, it is a systemic illness, and consequently can manifest itself through a number of different symptoms, making an accurate diagnosis very difficult much of the time.
About the only symptoms Canine Systemic Lupus (CSL) has in common with the other type of lupus is a possibility of scarring on and in the nose, and possibly some facial hair loss. There may be hair loss on other parts of the body as well, but what makes CSL so difficult to diagnose is it has so many symptoms that could easily be mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses or disorders. For example, a dog suffering from CSL may experience bouts of joint pain and arthritis, and even lameness. CSL can cause kidney disease and also affect the heart and other organs, as well as various muscles. And CSL can give rise to several skin diseases. Treating one of the symptoms may or may not be of any use if the underlying cause, the systemic disease, has not been recognized.
CSL does not necessarily become evident through the various symptoms noted above, and simply increase in severity over time. The condition, and the symptoms, often come and go. The dog may feel weak for a time, suffer from lameness or joint pain at another time, and act as if its kidneys were failing at still another time. Different symptoms can of course appear at the same time. Treatment is generally the same as for the other type of canine lupus, CLE, which is to say through the use of chemotherapy and steroids. There are also a number of medications on the market designed to bolster the immune system, and thereby offer the dog a measure of relief. As was the case with CLE, treatment for CSL is normally required for the remainder of the life of the pet.
If you have any suspicion that your pet may have canine lupus, the sooner you can take it to the veterinarian the better. A biopsy may be taken, especially if the skin appears to be affected, to assist in the diagnosis. Many, if not most dogs under treatment, can for the most part continue to lead reasonably normal and quality lives.