Text of the article and photos from the SMALL ANIMAL DERMATOLOGY A COLOR ATLAS AND THERAPEUTIC GUIDE 2017

Translation from English: veterinarian Vasiliev A

Peculiarities

Systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs and cats is a multisystem immune-mediated disease characterized by the production of various autoantibodies (eg ANA, rheumatoid factor, antibodies to red blood cells), which form circulating immune complexes. It is rare in cats and uncommon in dogs. Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and german shepherds.

Dogs

Symptoms are often nonspecific and can wax and wane. Symptoms of skin lesions are common, variable, and often similar to those seen in other skin diseases. Erosion of mucous or mucocutaneous junctions may be observed. Skin lesions may include erosions, ulcers, desquamation, erythema, alopecia, crusting, and scarring of the skin. Lesions may be multifocal or diffuse. They can occur throughout the body, but the muzzle, ears, and distal limbs are most commonly affected. Peripheral lymphadenomegaly is often present.

Other symptoms may include intermittent fever, polyarthritis, polymyositis, renal failure, pathological changes blood cells, pleurisy, pneumonia, pericarditis or myocarditis, central or peripheral neuropathy and lymphedema. Lesions of the nasal planum, ears and finger pads are unique and characteristic of autoimmune skin disease.

Vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus, formerly known as ulcerative dermatosis of shelties and rough collies (UDSSC), appears to be a vesicular variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. It is uncommon in shelties and long-haired collies and their crosses. It is typically seen in adult dogs and lesions usually first appear during the summer months. Some dogs may go into remission during the winter and then relapse in early summer. The primary lesions are vesicles and bullae. However, these lesions are often difficult to find because they are fragile and easily ruptured.

Secondary lesions include round, polycyclic and crescent-shaped ulcerations. These lesions typically occur on poorly haired skin (eg, groin, axilla, ventral abdomen, medial thighs) and may progress to involve mucocutaneous junctions, concave auricles, oral cavity, and finger pads. Affected dogs may become weakened and develop sepsis due to a secondary bacterial skin infection.

Cats

Skin lesions are variable and may include dermatosis with erythema, alopecia, desquamation, crusting, and scarring; exfoliative erythroderma and excessive peeling (seborrhea). Lesions can be observed throughout the body, but are most often found on the face, ears and paws. May have ulcers oral cavity. Other symptoms may include fever, polyarthritis, renal failure, neurological or behavioral abnormalities, hematological abnormalities and myopathy.

Differential diagnoses

Differential diagnoses include other causes of multisystem disease, such as reaction to medicinal product, infection caused by rickettsia and other infections (viral, bacterial, fungal), neoplasia and other autoimmune and immune-related skin diseases.

Diagnosis

1 It is often difficult to make a definitive diagnosis. All should be excluded differential diagnoses. The following findings support the diagnosis and when several findings supporting the diagnosis are found simultaneously (clusters of symptoms), then the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus is highly likely:

• Hemogram anemia (Coombe test may be positive or negative), thrombocytopenia, leukopenia or leukocytosis.
• Urinalysis: proteinuria.
• Arthrocentesis (polyarthritis) sterile purulent inflammation(rheumatoid factor can be positive or negative)
• ANA test: a good screening test because most patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have positive ANA titers. However, a positive result is only supportive of the diagnosis and is not pathognomonic for systemic lupus erythematosus, since positive titers can be associated with many other chronic or infectious diseases such as bartonellosis, ehrlichiosis and leishmaniasis. False negative results may occur (10%).
• Cell test for lupus erythematosus: a positive result indicates high probability diseases, but this test is not a good screening test because false positives are common. negative results.

2 Titers should be examined for the presence of rickettsial infection to exclude tick-borne disease.

3 Dermatohistopathology: Focal thickening of the basement membrane zone, subepidermal vacuolization, hydropic or lichenoid superficial dermatitis, or leukocytoclastic vasculitis are characteristic. However, these changes are not always observed and findings may be nonspecific.
4 Immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry (skin biopsy specimens): plaque deposits of immunoglobulin or complement in the basement membrane area. These methods are non-diagnostic in themselves, since they may cause false positive results and false negatives are common.

Treatment and prognosis

1 Symptomatic shampoo therapy may be helpful in removing crusts.

2 Appropriate long-term antibiotic therapy (minimum 4 weeks) should be prescribed for the treatment and prevention of secondary pyoderma in dogs. Dogs that received antibiotics during the induction phase of immunosuppressive therapy have significantly higher survival rates than dogs that were treated with immunosuppressive drugs alone. Antibiotic therapy should be continued until immunosuppressive therapy resolves autoimmune disease under control.

3 The goal of treatment is to control the disease and its symptoms using the best safe methods treatment in the lowest possible doses. Typically, combination therapy (see Table) should be used to provide comprehensive treatment while minimizing the side effects of monotherapy. Depending on the severity of the disease, more or less aggressive treatment methods should be chosen. To achieve remission of the disease, higher doses are initially used and then reduced over 2-3 months to the lowest effective dose.

• Topical treatment given every 12 hours with a steroid or tacrolimus will help reduce the severity of focal inflammation and allow dose reduction systemic drugs required to control symptoms. During remission, frequency of use local drugs should be minimized in order to reduce local side effects.
• Conservative methods systemic treatment(cm) include drugs that reduce the severity of inflammation and have little side effects or don't have them. These drugs help reduce the need for more aggressive methods treatments such as steroids or chemotherapy.
• Steroid therapy is one of the most predictable treatments for autoimmune skin disease, but the side effects associated with high doses needed to control symptoms may be severe. Although glucocorticoid therapy alone may be effective in maintaining remission, the doses required may result in unwanted side effects, especially in dogs. For this reason, the use of nonsteroidal immunosuppressive drugs, alone or in combination with glucocorticoids, is usually recommended for long-term maintenance treatment. --Immunosuppressive doses of oral prednisolone or methylprednisolone should be given daily (see Table). Once lesions have resolved (after ≈2–8 weeks), the dose should be gradually reduced over several (8–10) weeks to the lowest possible dose every other day that maintains remission . If significant improvement is not observed within 2 to 4 weeks of starting treatment, a concurrent skin infection should be ruled out and alternative or additional immunosuppressive agents then considered. --Alternative steroids for prednisone- and methylprednisolone-refractory cases include triamcinolone and dexamethasone (see ). --In cats Treatment with immunosuppressive doses of triamcinolone or dexamethasone is often more effective than therapy with prednisolone or methylprednisolone. Oral triamcinolone or dexamethasone should be given daily until remission is achieved (≈2–8 weeks), and then the dose should be gradually reduced to the lowest possible dose and dosing should be as infrequent as possible to maintain remission. --If unacceptable side effects develop or there is no significant improvement within 2 to 4 weeks after starting treatment, consider the use of an alternative glucocorticoid or nonsteroidal immunosuppressive drug (see section 4.4).
• Nonsteroidal immunosuppressive drugs that may be effective include (Atopica), oclacitinib ((Apoquel), azathioprine (dogs only), chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, and leflunomide (see Table). Positive response observed within 8-12 weeks of initiation treatment When remission is achieved, then gradually try to reduce the dose and frequency of use of a non-steroidal immunosuppressive drug for long-term maintenance treatment.

4 Prognosis is cautious, if available hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia or glomerulonephritis. In up to 40% of cases, death occurs within the first year of treatment as a result renal failure, poor response to treatment, drug complications or secondary systemic infection (pneumonia, sepsis). The prognosis is more favorable for animals that respond to glucocorticoid therapy alone. In this case, approximately 50% of patients have a long period survival. Regular monitoring required clinical symptoms, general and biochemical analyzes blood with treatment adjustments as necessary.

Photo 1 Systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs and cats. Erythematous erosive dermatitis with alopecia in the area of ​​the muzzle, nasal planum and ears in an adult Jack Russell Terrier. Lesions of the nasal planum and auricles are unique features of autoimmune skin disease.

Photo 2 Systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs and cats. The same dog from photo 1. Depigmentation and cortical erosion of the nasal planum.

Photo 3 Systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs and cats. Severe crusting, erosive dermatitis with depigmentation of the nasal planum.

Photo 4 Systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs and cats. Erosive dermatitis in the gum area. Lesions of the oral mucosa can be observed with pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, systemic lupus erythematosus and vasculitis.

Photo 5 Systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs and cats. Erosion on the dog's palate.

Photo 6 Systemic lupus erythematosus in dogs and cats. Cortical lesions of the auricles with alopecia. A tissue defect with a notch indicates an underlying vasculitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Symptoms of lupus in dogs depend on the type. Symptoms of DLE are usually benign and mostly just affect the skin, while SLE symptoms can be catastrophic. Here are a few symptoms you can expect with canine lupus.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) usually affects the face, nose, lips, mouth, ears, or areas around the eyes. Rarely, it may cause symptoms in the legs or genitals. Keep an eye out for the next one.

• Pale skin on the bridge of the nose
• Redness of the skin, especially the nose, lips and face
• Scaly, flaky, or brittle skin
• Ulcers or ulcers
• scarring
• Pain in affected areas
• Itching or scratching in affected areas
• Bacterial infections

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect almost any area of ​​the body, so symptoms can vary greatly and quickly become life-threatening. SLE is an immune disease in which the immune system begins to attack the body's cells and tissue, and depending on which organs are affected, it can be downright fatal. Here are a few common symptoms, which you can see using SLE.

• Change in leg lameness
• Arthritis, muscle pain and stiffness
• lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• fever
• Diseases or lesions on the skin
• anemia
• Hair loss
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Mouth ulcers
• Seizures
• Enlarged liver, spleen or kidneys
• Increased thirst or urination

Causes of Lupus in Dogs

"Lupus" is the Latin word for wolf. The disease was named after the rash that appeared on the faces of people with the disease, similar to a wolf bite, although it was not thought to be caused by a wolf bite, as some erroneously believe. The real causes of lupus are still not entirely understood today. There is likely a genetic component, and exposure to ultraviolet light, stress, medications and viral infections contributes to this condition.

Some dogs are at risk of developing SLE. The disease appears more often in middle-aged women, and some breeds are predisposed, including Afghan Hounds, Beagles, German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Old English Sheepdogs, Poodles, Shetland Sheepdogs and Rough Collies.

Diagnosis of lupus in dogs

You will need to see your veterinarian for correct diagnosis any form of lupus in your dog. DLE is usually easier to diagnose, although it can mimic other conditions such as ringworm or nasal lymphoma. Diagnosis is made by taking a skin biopsy from the affected area. This is a minor procedure, although your dog will need stitches after the sample is taken. This rules out other causes of symptoms and confirms whether your dog has DLE.

SLE is more difficult to diagnose because it can mimic the symptoms of many other organ-based conditions. Cancer, kidney disease, or a bad reaction to medications all have similar symptoms of SLE. Let your veterinarian know about any symptoms you have observed in your dog. A blood test rules out many other causes and helps diagnose SLE. Your veterinarian will look for something called antinuclear antibodies in the blood, which is a sign of SLE.

Treatment of Lupus in Dogs

Treatment for lupus in dogs also depends on the type of lupus, although no form is curable. This is why treatment focuses on symptom management and continues for the rest of the affected dogs' lives. DLE is fairly easy to treat, and your veterinarian will focus on healing and controlling any sores, lesions, or ulcers that may develop. Topical steroids are often used to suppress the reaction immune system and reducing inflammation. Prednisone or other oral steroids may be prescribed until the condition is under control. Antibiotics and supplements may also be provided, including fatty acid vitamins B and E and Omega-3. Exposure to ultraviolet light, including sunlight, should be limited as it worsens the condition.

SLE procedures will vary depending on the organs that are affected. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response that causes damage. NSAIDs, immunosuppressants, or steroids such as prednisone will likely be used. Chemotherapy can further suppress negative immune system activity and reduce pain. Antibiotics will be prescribed if there is a secondary infection that needs to be treated. As with DLE, the impact sunlight should be limited. This treatment must be continued for the rest of the dog's life.

A disease characterized by disturbances hormonal system, - lupus erythematosus. With this disease, the body’s own completely healthy cells are attacked.

The disease affects all systems of the body, causing the immune system to attack full-fledged cells and tissues, confusing them with harmful bacteria and viruses, trying to destroy them.

In dogs with lupus, a huge number of immune complexes are formed, stored in the section of the kidneys responsible for filtering, in the tissues lining joint capsules wrists, knees and other joints, in the skin, in blood vessels and other organs of the animal.

Predisposition of certain dog breeds to the disease

Today the disease is considered quite rare, but some experts consider this rarity to be equal to poor diagnosis. The fact is that recognizing this disease can be difficult even for an experienced veterinarian. According to research, lupus most often occurs in dogs of the following breeds:

• collie;
• English Shepherds;
• poodles;
• German Shepherds;
• some types of hounds;
• Irish setters.

Most often, the disease manifests itself in German shepherds, and at the age of about 6 years. The gender of the animal and its physical characteristics does not matter.

Symptoms

The clinical picture depends on the part of the body in which the immune complexes are localized and on the specification of autoantibodies. Various systems the body gives its own picture of the disease.

Lupus erythematosus in dogs in the photo

Photo. Lupus erythematosus in dogs

Musculoskeletal system

Symptoms from this side are most often the following:

• pain and inflammation of the joint capsules;
• lameness;
• muscle weakness and soreness.

Leather

Signs of the disease are noticeable on the skin, such as:

• damage;
• ulcers at the junction of the skin and mucous membranes (near the lips, nose, anus). Abundant, extensive ulcers lead to loss of appetite, strong decline animal weight;
• baldness, loss of coat color, ulcers, redness.

Kidneys

Manifestations of the disease from the kidneys are the most dangerous, affecting the entire body as a whole:

• enlarged liver and kidneys;
• autoantibodies fight the cells responsible for blood clotting;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• When lymphocytes attack, other body systems are also affected.

Important! Most often, the very first sign indicating developing lupus is frequent bleeding from the nose. After this, redness of the skin and ulceration of the mucocutaneous junctions appear.

Causes of the disease

Veterinarians cannot yet say for sure why lupus erythematosus occurs in dogs.

To date, veterinarians are not ready to answer why dogs begin to develop lupus erythematosus. Most experts are inclined to believe that there is a genetic predisposition, sometimes aggravated by inflammatory processes, infections, and a significant amount of ultraviolet rays.

Thus, scientists noticed that dogs living on the street get sick more often - this gives reason to associate the disease with ultraviolet radiation. In addition, a shift in the immune system is provoked by leukemia, bacterial and fungal diseases.

Experiences of American doctors show that a long-term diet that includes mold toxins leads to the appearance of symptoms similar to lupus erythematosus. Such experiments prove that there can be many reasons for the manifestation of diseases. However, their identification in this case is not significant, since it does not have a significant impact on the treatment of the disease.

Diagnosis of the disease

Lupus, like other autoimmune diseases, is difficult to diagnose. To identify it it is necessary full analysis blood, biochemical examination, urine analysis. The veterinarian must know how long ago the signs have been appearing, what preceded them, and how suddenly they appeared.

On a note! The diagnosis can only be made after a full examination. To judge the presence of such a serious and specific disease based only on external manifestations it is forbidden.

Treatment of lupus erythematosus in dogs

If, when visiting a doctor, the animal’s condition is serious and its blood cells are susceptible to decay, it must be hospitalized. If the lesions are not so severe, the doctor may prescribe outpatient treatment. When prescribing therapy, the doctor takes into account the form of the disease, stage of development, affected organs, age of the animal and concomitant diseases.

Important! If the skin is slightly affected, it is treated with hormonal ointments. With more advanced cases Injections of glucocorticoids, mainly prednisole, are required. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used. Even the simplest cases require months of treatment.

When sending a dog for treatment at home, the doctor strongly recommends providing it with maximum comfort and peace. This will help reduce the rate of progression of the disease, preventing joint destruction. In order to prevent your dog from moving around a lot, it is wise to put him in a crate.

Many doctors (not just veterinarians) believe that with this disease it is necessary to reduce sun exposure as much as possible. It is advisable to walk your dog only in the early morning and after sunset. Since lupus affects the kidneys, it is worth switching the animal to a diet containing a minimum of protein so as not to overload the excretory system.

Many veterinarians advise keeping your dog out of the sun less.

To relieve pain and suppress an “enraged” immune system, you should use only those drugs prescribed by your doctor. specific situation. The set of medications depends on the degree of organ damage, on which specific systems were attacked.

Prevention

As a preventive measure, you should try to prevent dog breeds most susceptible to lupus from spending too long in the sun. In addition, you should monitor changes in your pet’s body in order to catch the disease at an early stage.

Knowing that the disease is hereditary, sick animals should not be allowed to reproduce.

Observation

Lupus erythematosus is an unpredictable disease; its treatment requires long-term immune suppression. Side effects are common during treatment. At first, you need to visit the veterinarian every seven days; the doctor will draw up a further schedule based on the animal’s condition. Only a specialist should monitor the progress/regression of the disease; the disease should not be left to chance.

Lupus erythematosus in dogs is a fairly rare immune disease. Let's just say that with this disease, the immune system performs its functions too diligently, as a result of which healthy cells, organs and tissues are subject to serious attack. Unfortunately, this disease occurs not only in dogs; cats and even people get sick, but it occurs more often in dogs. The disease is dangerous, it can provoke inflammatory processes in the heart, lungs, kidneys and joints. There are two types of lupus erythematosus: discoid and systemic.

Symptoms of lupus in dogs

The disease manifests itself in mild or severe degrees; it is very difficult to differentiate the two types of lupus. The disease disrupts the functioning of all organs and systems, because healthy cells and tissues are destroyed with the same force and speed if they were viruses or bacteria. The heart, kidneys, blood and skin suffer. If treatment is not started promptly, lameness, arthritis, or other symptoms may occur. inflammatory diseases joints. In some cases, anemia, hair loss, and infectious diseases were noted.

The disease may be accompanied frequent urination, febrile state, the gums become white, the joints and muscles weaken, the dog becomes lethargic and lies down more often. In cases where the lymph nodes become enlarged, the same happens to the liver and spleen, then anxious behavior is observed, the animal experiences discomfort, fusses, and can be aggressive.

Discoid lupus erythematosus

If depigmentation, ulcers or lesions are only on the skin of the face, nose, or oral mucosa, then your dog has discoid lupus. For availability of this disease may indicate nosebleeds, and if such cases recur, you should not hesitate to visit a doctor. Very often the ears, scrotum, and vulva are affected.

Attention! Alone external signs is not sufficient to diagnose lupus in dogs. A correct conclusion can only be made based on comprehensive survey the animal's body, for this purpose clinical tests are done. The peculiarity of autoimmune diseases is that they affect more than one organ. An accurate picture of what is happening can be obtained from the results of a urine test, blood test, skin biopsy, etc.

Having noticed the slightest deviations from the norm in behavior and appearance your pet needs to see a doctor immediately, otherwise the lost time may not in the best possible way influence the course and treatment of a terrible disease.

Causes of the disease

"What is the reason?" - unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question yet. Most experts believe that the cause is a genetic predisposition. The disease can be provoked by various external and internal factors: inflammatory processes in the body, infections, long exposure to the sun, frequent stress, fear, etc.

What breeds are at risk? These are collies, English shepherds, poodles, German shepherds, Afghan hounds. Most often, German shepherds that are under six years old get sick; bitches get sick more often.

Individuals who live on the street are at risk. Immune system dysfunction may be a consequence of leukemia, bacterial or fungal disease. American scientists have found that lupus erythematosus in dogs can occur if they are fed moldy foods. But the treatment of the disease does not depend on the reasons that caused it, therefore, if the mechanism is started, all efforts must be directed towards treatment.

That is why it is so important to pay due attention to the health of your pets. Lupus-prone breeds should only be walked before sunrise or after sunset. They should not be exposed to too much physical activity, unjustified frequent stress can also provoke this disease. Animal feed should be varied, balanced and nutritious.

Diseases of the joints, kidneys and other organs must be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, and due attention should be paid to immunity. If dogs get enough protein, minerals and vitamin, their immune system will function normally. Hereditary nature has been proven of this disease Therefore, animals should not be allowed to reproduce.

Treatment of the disease

The main thing is to prevent possible complications and try to alleviate the condition of the sick animal. Treatment depends on the type of lupus, the extent of damage to organs and systems, and general condition patient.
In cases of severe disease, and this most often happens with systemic lupus, the dog is subject to hospitalization, she is prescribed complex treatment, including immunosuppressants.

But, in most cases, they are limited outpatient treatment. We must not forget that every animal has its own individual characteristics, the doctor must take into account the severity of the disease, the stage at which it is, the extent of the damage, the age and health of the dog.

For get well soon It is very important to provide the animal with rest, good food, comfortable conditions, in this case, perhaps the disease will not progress, and the joint tissue will remain undamaged. Try to avoid stress, limit your pet's movements, perhaps he needs to be put in a cage for a while, this will not be very pleasant, but it is quite justified.

If the diagnosis is discoid lupus erythematosus, and the skin lesions are minor, then they are treated hormonal ointment. If the degree of damage is large, injections of prednisolone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are given. Vitamin E is prescribed, it promotes the regeneration of skin cells and prevents the development of secondary infections, and other drugs.

You need to be prepared for the fact that the treatment process will be quite complicated; it will take several months to treat your four-legged friend. But, if you strictly follow all the doctor’s recommendations, your pet will recover. Remember that this autoimmune disease is not a death sentence. With it, the animal can live for many more years. But the sooner you pay attention to the disease, the more effective the treatment will be, which means your pet will be able to remain healthy, and nothing will threaten its life.

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Lupus erythematosus is a dermatosis of autoimmune origin in dogs, it is rare, manifests itself in the form of acute and chronic form. Diagnosis is difficult, upon examination veterinarian reveals erythema and ulcers on the skin. The localization of damage is different; internal organs are involved in the pathological process.

The main signs of the disease

Fibrinoid dystrophy connective tissue considered to be the basis in the pathogenesis of the disease. Lupus erythematosus in dogs is a multisystem autoimmune pathology, characterized by the presence of “hyperprotection” - not normal reaction the animal's immune system on the body's own cells.

The disease is rare, but to a large extent this is most likely explained by the poor level of diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Doctors at the DobroVet Center, based on practical observations, say that some dog breeds belong to SLE:

• German Shepherds.
• Afghan hounds.
• English Shepherds.
• Poodles.
• Collie.
• Irish Setters.

It is especially noted that German Shepherds exhibit genetic predisposition to lupus erythematosus, since it is this breed of dog that is registered larger number cases of SLE. Gender and physiological state The animal does not play a big role in the development of the disease; as a rule, the pathology is diagnosed after 6 years.

Main causes and diagnostic methods

The reasons why lupus erythematosus develops in dogs are not fully understood. There are observations indicating a genetic predisposition (German shepherds), the manifestation of pathology when animals are improperly kept (especially homeless ones), and under strong exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Leukemia, fungal and bacterial infections can also become provocateurs of SLE. All observations by veterinarians indicate a multifactorial pathology.

Discoid lupus erythematosus in dogs, like any autoimmune pathology, is difficult to diagnose; the basis of research includes:

1. Blood and urine analysis.
2. Detailed medical history (first symptoms, how and when they appeared).
3. Kidney research.
4. Inspection skin and so on.

The following symptoms suggest that a dog may have systemic lupus erythematosus: kidney dysfunction, joint pain, red blood cell breakdown, weakness, skin lesions, low level platelets.

It is important to remember that a final diagnosis can only be established with genetic testing; until then, SLE can act as a preliminary conclusion.

Symptoms of lupus erythematosus in dogs

Clinical manifestations depend on which antibodies are produced by the body and which area (localization) their action is directed to. Important role Factors that play a role in the signs are: infectious processes, environmentally poor conditions, genetic predisposition, taking pharmaceuticals.

Damage to the musculoskeletal system:

• Damage to the synovial membranes (tissue lining the joints).
• Painful, swollen joints are a leading sign of lupus in most dogs.
• Unnatural leg positioning, lameness.
• Exhaustion of the animal, muscle pain when walking.

Disruption of the endocrine system:

1. Sudden formations on the skin.
2. The appearance of symmetrical or one-sided foci of redness.
3. Formation of depigmentation, ulcers, swelling on the skin.

Most breeders do not pay attention to these symptoms and only when the lesions occupy a large area do they contact a veterinarian.

A characteristic symptom indicating lupus erythematosus is ulcers in the nose, mouth and anus that bleed and do not heal well. In advanced cases, the wound area is so extensive and painful that the dog cannot eat, drink, or defecate normally.

Symptoms threatening for animal life:

• Hepatonephromegaly ( sharp increase in the volume of the liver and kidneys).
• The presence of antibodies against platelets, leukocytes, erythrocytes.
• Lymphadenopathy.

Other types of damage to organs and systems are often diagnosed, it all depends on what is chosen by lymphocytes as target cells. According to practical observations, one of the classic signs of lupus erythematosus in dogs is sudden nosebleeds.

What to do and how to treat?

Urgent hospitalization is required for a dog if there are signs of blood hemolysis and treatment in this case is complex. At home, it is permissible to carry out therapeutic measures in cases where there are no signs of advanced disease.

No specific treatment has been developed; all methods used depend on which organs and systems are affected.

If joints are affected, painkillers and complete rest are prescribed, which helps stop the development pathological process. Limiting exposure to UV rays, long stay exposure to the sun can cause the disease to worsen.

A diet with a small amount of protein is necessary, since systemic lupus erythematosus almost always affects the kidneys. Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids help relieve inflammation in the lymph nodes.

In any case, ignoring primary signs unacceptable self-treatment, especially the use of local drugs for visible damage skin do not give results. Almost all therapeutic activities must be carried out in conditions veterinary clinic, take care of your pets!

Veterinary center "DobroVet"