A well-known disease among humans that also affects our four-legged friends is lupus in dogs. This autoimmune disease in dogs happens when healthy cells in the body attack themselves, leaving the canine immune system weakened and prone to contracting various health problems. Canine lupus is not very well known and it is not always easy to detect clinical symptoms.Therefore, it is important to understand how lupus in dogs develops, which breeds are most affected and how it can manifest itself in your pet.

What is canine lupus : understand the causes of this disease that affects dogs

Canine lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning that it is the animal's own immune system that attacks the healthy cells in its body, leaving the animal's health badly shaken. The cause of this autoimmune disease in dogs is still not very well known. However, it is believed that some dogs have genetic predispositions to develop the disease, which is intensified due to factors such asBecause sun exposure is related to the onset of lupus, dogs are more vulnerable to the disease in the summer and to remission in the winter months.

Some dog breeds are more susceptible to developing canine lupus

Lupus in dogs is not such a common condition, but there are some dog breeds that are more predisposed to developing it due to genetic reasons. Among them are: Poodle, German Shepherd, Beagle, Border Collie, Siberian Husky, Afghan Hound, Shetland Sheepdog, Irish Setter and Old English Sheepdog. Even though it is more frequent in these breeds, other dogs can also develop lupusSo it's always good to look out for the signs, regardless of your pet's breed.

Lupus in dogs can present in two ways

Lupus in dogs manifests itself in two ways, depending on the organs affected. The first is Discoid Canine Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), which is the mildest form of the disease, as it affects only the skin of the animal, mainly in the face, ear and muzzle regions. The other form is Systemic Canine Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). SLE is multisystemic, which means it can affect any of the followingAmong the main ones are the skin, kidneys, joints and heart.

How to identify lupus in dogs?

In lupus, dogs show symptoms according to the organ that is attacked. In the case of SLE, whose only organ affected is the skin, the symptoms are usually lesions, sores, depigmentation of the muzzle and scaling that can lead to ulcers and bleeding. The dog's appearance may even be altered as a result of these lesions.

In SLE, these same symptoms may appear, in addition to kidney failure, joint pain, fever, stomatitis, bronchopneumonia, anemia, pale gums, arthritis, inflated muscles (including the heart muscle), circulation problems leading to muscle pain, lethargy, gastric problems, hair loss, anorexia, seizures, and enlargement of organs such as the liver and spleen. The animal with canine lupus does notwill necessarily present all of these conditions, as this will depend on which organs have been affected.

Diagnosis of canine lupus is not always easy

As the symptoms of canine lupus are very varied, the diagnosis can take time, as the disease is often confused with other pathologies. To correctly diagnose lupus in dogs, it is necessary to carefully observe the animal's behavior. The veterinarian often starts with a hypothesis of disease and discards it until he arrives at canine lupus through laboratory tests. The morecommon are blood tests, urine tests, x-rays, antibody tests and biopsies of the affected organs, especially the skin. Canine lupus is correctly diagnosed after the results of these tests.

Treatment of lupus in dogs helps to improve the quality of life of the animal

There is no cure for canine lupus, but there is treatment that helps control symptoms. As it is an autoimmune disease in dogs, the immune system is constantly attacked and, therefore, the animal is more likely to acquire other diseases. Therefore, treatment is necessary throughout the pet's life. It is usually done through anti-inflammatory drugs,vitamin supplements (especially vitamin E) and immunosuppressants. The veterinarian prescribes the treatment for each dog, depending on the severity and the most affected organs. In case of worsening of lupus, the dog may need to be hospitalized. In addition, it is very important to avoid exposing the animal to the sun and always apply sunscreen for dogs. By following the treatment correctly, theanimal with canine lupus is able to have its symptoms under control and have a good quality of life.