Autoimmune disease in pets refers to the fact that the autoimmune system in their body mistaken the normal cells (intracellular components) or tissues in the body for foreign bodies (antigens), thereby producing autoantibodies and causing a local inflammatory response, and even induce lesions and tissue damages in cells, tissues and organs, and eventually lead to autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune disease can affect a single system or multiple body systems. Autoimmune diseases can affect skin, connective tissues, nerves, muscles, the endocrine system (the system that controls hormones and other chemicals), red blood cells, and the digestive system. Types of autoimmune disease as follows:
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)
It happens when the pet’s immune system attacks the body’s red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for transferring oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. With AIHA, the red blood cells are destroyed or damaged faster than they can be replaced, and the patient can become severely anaemic which can be life threatening.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Autoimmune diseases are the result of an immune system that has become hyper-defensive, attacking the cells, tissues, and organs of its own body as if they are diseases that need to be destroyed. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that is characterized by the formation of antibodies against a wide array of self-antigens (antibody-generating substances) and circulating immune complexes. This disease can be hereditary in dogs and cats.
Typically symptoms appear around age six, but can show up at any age, and often flare up or go into remission for periods of time. SLE can affect the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, blood, and nervous system as antibodies in the blood attack the body’s own cells and tissue. Usually more than one organ will be affected.
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP)
It happens when the immune system attacks thrombocytes (platelets), the cells responsible for forming blood clots. Pets with this condition will not likely experience a collapse or crisis like they may with AIHA, but it can be a serious condition if there is any profuse bleeding.
Autoimmune diseases of the skin
They can be difficult to diagnose, and different diseases comes with different symptoms. Below are a few types of autoimmune diseases of the skin:
- Pemphigus comes in many forms, but commonly results in scaly skin, scabs, pus-filled sores, or ,blisters that rupture quickly .In some forms, these symptoms can sometimes stay confined to the head and feet before spreading elsewhere. The most severe form is pemphigus vulgaris in which ulcers can appear at the mouth, anus, prepuce, nose, and vagina
- Discoid lupus erythematosis is likely related to SLE, but only affects the face and nose. There may be loss of pigment, scaly skin, or scabby sores around the nose. Ultraviolet light can makes nasal lesions worse. Dog sunscreen and avoidance from sunlight are recommended.
- Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome is extremely rare. It can cause uveitis, iridocyclitis, choroiditis, retainal detachment and a loss of pigmentation in the iris and retina . The nose, lips, eyelids, footpads, and anus turn from black to pink or white. Early treatment could help prevent the development of blindness.
Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA)
It is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints of the body. It causes pain, swelling and affects your pet’s ability to walk. It can exist on its own or alongside SLE , or as a symptom of another autoimmune disease throughout your pet’s body.
Addison’s disease
It is also referred to as hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. Addison’s disease occurs when the dog's adrenal glands aren’t able to produce enough steroid hormones, specifically cortisol and aldosterone. In most instances, Addison’s disease in some dogs results from the immune system attacking the adrenal gland. It is also possible for Addison’s to be caused by other diseases and processes that damage the dog's adrenal glands.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism in pets refers to a condition when their thyroid is not producing enough hormones. This can happen due to damage to the pet's thyroid, disease of the thyroid, or birth defects. Damage to the thyroid due to autoimmune thyroiditis is one of the causes of hypothyroidism in pets. Autoimmune thyroiditis is when a pet's autoimmune system develops antibodies against the thyroid and attacks it, causing damages and impeding function.
How are autoimmune diseases triggered?
The exact cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. One theory is that some microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) or drugs may trigger changes that confuse the immune system. This may happen more often in pets who have genes that make them more prone to developing autoimmune disorders.
Triggers for secondary immune-mediated disease include certain medications (such as antibiotics), chronic infections, tick-borne infections, or cancers. Immune-mediated diseases in pets include diseases of the skin, eye, brain, kidneys, joints, bone marrow and blood.
Ultraviolet (UV) exposure is thought to be a predisposing or “triggering” cause of autoimmune skin diseases in some dogs. Certain drugs have also been reported as potential triggers for pemphigus foliaceus, a common form of autoimmune skin disease in dogs and cats.
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