Canine lupus is a disease of the immune system. Dogs with this rare disease have antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues. This condition can affect a wide range of organ systems. It can cause problems in your dogs heart, kidneys, joints, lungs, and skin.
Symptoms
The symptoms of canine lupus come and go. If the disease affects the kidneys, your dog will likely start drinking and urinating more. Lupus can also affect joints which will cause lameness. Canine lupus also causes symptoms such as oral ulcers, hair loss, and lesions on the skin. The feet and face are two areas that are commonly affected.
Diagnosis
Canine lupus can affect many systems in the body, so it can present symptoms associated with a wide range of other diseases. Therefore, it can be a difficult condition to diagnose. If the veterinarian suspects lupus, he may have to perform a biopsy and special blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Unfortunately, canine lupus is an incurable condition. However, it is possible that your dog can live comfortably. The main treatment method is the use of drugs to suppress the immune system. The most commonly used medication is prednisone, a corticosteroid. Dogs with canine lupus need to be monitored continuously because the medication may cause side effects and lead to other problems.
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