Our canine friends are susceptible to a number of different autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, that are remarkably similar to their human counterparts.
Animals, like humans, are susceptible to developing many different autoimmune diseases. Among the animals known to develop autoimmune disease, dogs, cats, and horses have been studied the most. This article focuses on autoimmune diseases in dogs. Similar to autoimmune disease development in humans, autoimmune diseases in canines are attributed to both genetic and environmental factors. While different ethnic populations are at higher risk for certain autoimmune diseases, certain canine breeds have an increased risk for certain autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases in dogs are also very similar to the autoimmune diseases that occur in humans.
For instance, the autoimmune condition of degenerative myelopathy, which causes a progressive lameness and limb paralysis in dogs, is similar to multiple sclerosis in humans. Degenerative myelopathy occurs most often in German Shepherds, Welsh Corgis, Old English Sheepdogs, Weimaraners, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Great Pyrenees, and Boxers. In certain parts of the world, the genetic predisposition in breeds is more pronounced. In both canine and human species, the disease course, response to dietary changes and suspected environmental triggers, are similar.
Autoimmune hypothyroidism, myasthenia gravis, pemphigus disorders, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Addison's disease, and lupus disorders in canines are associated with symptoms, disease courses, and treatment responses that are also remarkably similar to the conditions and symptoms associated with these diseases in humans.
The same environmental factors, such as stress, exposure to sunlight, vaccines, nutrient deficiencies, environmental contaminants, and dietary factors, that contribute to autoimmune disease in humans affect our canine companions. Similarly, the same diagnostic tests, including blood tests and imaging procedures, are used to diagnose human and canine autoimmune disorders. In both humans and canines, dietary interventions including the addition of antioxidant vitamins, hormone therapy, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, regular exercise and periods of rest, and an integrationist approach to treatment offer benefits. In both humans and canines, devices to assist with mobility such as wheelchairs, are available.
Resources:
R.M. Clemmons, Integrative Therapy in Dogs with Nervous System & Other Disorders, http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/AltMed/Alt_Med_Neuro.htm.
Kathleen Fish, Canine Diffuse Neuromuscular Disease: A Case of Acute Polyradiculoneuritis, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Oct 2003.
Mark Rich, Robert Waldeck, Reduced Endplate Currents Underlie Motor Unit Dysfunction in Canine Motor Neuron Disease, J Neurophysiol, 2002, 88: 3293-3304.
