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Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus
Common names or abbreviations:
 | Systemic Lupus Erythematosus |
| Lupus |
| SLE |
Description or definition:
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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE
or often just referred to as lupus), is a rare autoimmune-mediated
disease which is seen in dogs. An autoimmune disease occurs when
the body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system. Dogs
with lupus have unusual antibodies in their blood that are targeted
against their own body tissues. Lupus can cause disease of the
skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. Lupus
causes wide spread systemic disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys,
joints, and nervous system, and blood (anemia and/or decreased platelet
numbers). Multiple organs are usually affected.
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Symptoms:
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One of the problems with SLE is
that it causes such a wide variety of symptoms that it can be confused
with a number of different diseases. The signs of SLE may be acute
(sudden onset and short duration) or chronic (of long duration and
recurring) and are usually cyclic (recurring in a specific pattern or
cycle). Some of the symptoms may include, a fluctuating fever,
shifting lameness, arthritis affecting multiple joints without any
evidence of cartilage erosion, multiple painful muscles, anemia, a low
white blood count, oral ulcers, symmetrical skin lesions including
alopecia (hair loss), skin crusting, lesions, ulceration and scar
formation, thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland), and
splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen). Pyelonephritis
(generalized infections of the kidney), renal failure (kidney
failure), septic arthritis (serious infection of the joints) or septicemia
(infections of the bloodstream) are signs that the disease is in an
advanced state.
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Diagnosis:
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A blood test is the primary
laboratory test used to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus. Blood
tests are used to check for the presence of liver or kidney damage and to
evaluate for anemia and low platelet count and a positive anti-nuclear
antibody (ANA) test. Dogs with elevated levels of circulating
lupus-associated antibodies (ANA titers) do not always have lupus.
Therefore, even if the ANA test is positive, a definitive diagnosis of
lupus is generally not made unless there are also other specific symptoms
present such as the involvement of multiple organs and/or at least two
other major symptoms that are not explainable by another conditions.
Some of the more common symptoms veterinarians
may look for might include increased protein in the urine, immune-mediated
hemolytic anemia, decreased platelet numbers, and decreased white blood
cell count.
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Treatment:
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Treatment of SLE is
directed toward decreasing inflammation and/or the level of autoimmune
activity. Therapy is based on the
anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressive effects of certain
corticosteroids. However, because of the wide-ranging effects of
lupus, other supportive therapy tailored for the individual dog is usually
required. Antibiotic therapy is important for dogs with infections.
Support for the dog with renal dysfunction may include fluid therapy and a
low protein diet. Splenectomy (removal of the spleen) may be
required in other cases. Owners of pets with lupus are advised to
limit their dog’s exposure to sunlight, because ultraviolate rays can
play a factor in flare ups of this disease. Life long treatment can
be anticipated.
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Links to sites about this disease:
This summary provided by:
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Jessica in Arizona
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