Dogs
Canine autoimmune disease is more or less similar to autoimmune disorders in humans. Some dog breeds are at a higher risk of developing this disease than others. As we all know, the immune system is responsible for recognizing any intrusion of microorganisms and generating antibodies in order to fight against these disease causing organisms. In short, the immune system is the natural healing mechanism of the body. Autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body fails to recognize the invasion of microorganisms due to some underlying health conditions, rather it generates autoantibodies that affect the normal cells and tissues.
Causes
Canine autoimmune disease can be caused by hereditary factors, side effects of medications, pollutants, food preservatives and pesticides. It can affect a single organ or the whole body. Once a dog is affected with this disease, the susceptibility of the pet towards other dog health problems increases. For example, dog liver disease commonly occurs if the pet's immune responses are weakened. Hence, multiple autoimmune diseases are often observed. This disease results from certain antibodies which are produced by the body under various health conditions.
At times, autoantibody that is restricted to a specific organ is produced. For example, in canine Addison's disease, the autoantibody synthesized by the body targets the adrenal gland, thus affecting the particular organ. The activity of an organ can also be affected by the combination of antibodies and T-cells. In case of antibodies that targets proteins, the dog's whole body is disturbed due to the circulation of defected proteins. Canine autoimmune disease may also result from other dog illnesses. For example, a dog suffering from the liver cancer secretes a very little or no serum enzymes, thus leading this disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms may vary depending upon the type of autoantibodies generated by the body and their respective targets. In canine autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), the autoantibody targets red blood cells. The pet dog may show lethargy, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, increase in heartbeats and breathing rate. Following are some commonly observed signs and symptoms of autoimmune disease in dogs.
The most effective method to prevent canine autoimmune disease is to improve the immune system by feeding the pet with proper dog foods, supplemented with natural diets. While feeding the pet, make sure to check the ingredients of the diet, so that there are less chances of food allergies. If possible, you can opt for effective natural remedies that have no side effects.
- Hemolytic Anemia In Dogs
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- Canine Cushing's Disease Symptoms
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- Canine Skin Diseases
Skin diseases are one of the most common ailments in dogs. In most cases, skin disorders are caused due to infections and allergic reactions. Dog allergies affect the skin, rather than the respiratory tract observed in humans. The immune system of...
- Canine Addison's Disease
If you own a cute dog, then you must have observed that your dog suffers from different illnesses in its lifetime. Some of the common dog health problems are worms, allergies, rabies and heartworms. Addison's disease is a very uncommon disease...
- Canine Anemia
Anemia can be defined as a lack or deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which is the hemoprotein responsible for binding with oxygen, and then transporting it to every cell of the body. Like humans, a dog can also have anemia. In humans,...
Dogs
Canine Autoimmune Disease
Canine autoimmune disease is more or less similar to autoimmune disorders in humans. Some dog breeds are at a higher risk of developing this disease than others. As we all know, the immune system is responsible for recognizing any intrusion of microorganisms and generating antibodies in order to fight against these disease causing organisms. In short, the immune system is the natural healing mechanism of the body. Autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body fails to recognize the invasion of microorganisms due to some underlying health conditions, rather it generates autoantibodies that affect the normal cells and tissues.
Causes
Canine autoimmune disease can be caused by hereditary factors, side effects of medications, pollutants, food preservatives and pesticides. It can affect a single organ or the whole body. Once a dog is affected with this disease, the susceptibility of the pet towards other dog health problems increases. For example, dog liver disease commonly occurs if the pet's immune responses are weakened. Hence, multiple autoimmune diseases are often observed. This disease results from certain antibodies which are produced by the body under various health conditions.
At times, autoantibody that is restricted to a specific organ is produced. For example, in canine Addison's disease, the autoantibody synthesized by the body targets the adrenal gland, thus affecting the particular organ. The activity of an organ can also be affected by the combination of antibodies and T-cells. In case of antibodies that targets proteins, the dog's whole body is disturbed due to the circulation of defected proteins. Canine autoimmune disease may also result from other dog illnesses. For example, a dog suffering from the liver cancer secretes a very little or no serum enzymes, thus leading this disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms may vary depending upon the type of autoantibodies generated by the body and their respective targets. In canine autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), the autoantibody targets red blood cells. The pet dog may show lethargy, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, increase in heartbeats and breathing rate. Following are some commonly observed signs and symptoms of autoimmune disease in dogs.
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea, with or without blood in the stools
- Weakness in legs
- Intolerance to exercise
- Stress and depression
- Increased lethargy and weakness
- Skin disorder and mouth ulcer
- Lesions, especially nasal lesions
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Seizures
- Anemia
- Stiff joints and limbs
- Abnormal posture
- Alteration in gait
- Body odor
The most effective method to prevent canine autoimmune disease is to improve the immune system by feeding the pet with proper dog foods, supplemented with natural diets. While feeding the pet, make sure to check the ingredients of the diet, so that there are less chances of food allergies. If possible, you can opt for effective natural remedies that have no side effects.
- Hemolytic Anemia In Dogs
Hemolytic anemia is a serious dog illness that can affect canines of any breed at any age. The severity of it can vary from being mild, requiring only timely medication to being life-threatening, requiring complete and undivided attention from the...
- Canine Cushing's Disease Symptoms
Canine Cushing's disease, also referred to as hyperadrenalcorticism, is a hormonal disorder in dogs. This disease is noticed more commonly in older dogs. And its symptoms being same as that of aging, many a time dog owners are unable to identify...
- Canine Skin Diseases
Skin diseases are one of the most common ailments in dogs. In most cases, skin disorders are caused due to infections and allergic reactions. Dog allergies affect the skin, rather than the respiratory tract observed in humans. The immune system of...
- Canine Addison's Disease
If you own a cute dog, then you must have observed that your dog suffers from different illnesses in its lifetime. Some of the common dog health problems are worms, allergies, rabies and heartworms. Addison's disease is a very uncommon disease...
- Canine Anemia
Anemia can be defined as a lack or deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which is the hemoprotein responsible for binding with oxygen, and then transporting it to every cell of the body. Like humans, a dog can also have anemia. In humans,...