Lupus in a Cat

Feline lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the cat's immune system mistakenly begins attacking itself. The disease is extremely rare and the exact cause is not known, though it may be genetic. Some veterinarians believe that exposure to certain chemicals and toxins, including in vaccines, can increase a cat's likelihood of developing lupus. Lupus is not contagious and cannot be passed to humans or other cats.

  1. Overview of Lupus

    • A healthy cat's immune system regularly kills foreign antibodies that can cause infection and disease. In cats with lupus, the body's immune system begins reacting to its own tissues and organs as if they are foreign bodies. This results in damage to organs and organ systems and can cause death if left untreated. Most cats with lupus have a shorter life than unaffected cats.

    Symptoms

    • The first symptom of lupus is frequently a sudden personality or behavior change. If your cat begins behaving aggressively, seems lethargic or undergoes any other rapid changes in its personality, contact your veterinarian. Adult cats rarely change their personalities without some underlying cause. Other common symptoms include skin and coat problems including hair loss, skin wounds and rashes. The cat may develop urinary problems including frequent urination or incontinence. Cats with lupus frequently have swollen lymph nodes, decreased appetites and joint and muscle pain that causes them to limp.

    Testing

    • Detecting lupus is difficult because there is no single test that indicates the presence of lupus. Be sure to provide your veterinarian with a list of all symptoms your cat is experiencing because vets typically base their diagnoses on a combination of tests and symptoms. Your vet will administer a blood test, but this test can be negative in some cats that have lupus. In addition to blood work, your vet will take a urine sample. Protein in the urine may indicate lupus. Organ failure, particularly the failure of multiple organs, can also help your veterinarian diagnose lupus.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for lupus is challenging and there is no cure for the disease. Instead, your veterinarian will focus on managing the symptoms and minimizing the possibility of organ failure. Immunosuppressants, which help stop the immune system from attacking itself, are the most widely used treatment. These drugs make your cat susceptible to infections and other illnesses, however, so you'll need to carefully monitor your cat for signs of disease. Your cat may require surgery if it is suffering from organ failure. Discoid lupus erythematosus is a less severe form of the disease that primarily affects the skin. If your cat has this variety of lupus your vet will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. Your cat's chances at living a normal life are much better with discoid lupus erythematosus than with normal lupus.