Canine autoimmune disease occurs when one or more components of the dog's immune system becomes overactive and loses the ability to distinguish between its own cells and foreign invaders. This leads to the body, in essence, attacking itself. Immune system disorders may only involve a single organ, or they can affect a region or the whole animal.
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal problems in dogs. The autoimmune disease is a condition where the stomach and/or intestine is chronically infiltrated by inflammatory cells. While IBD can occur in younger dogs, it usually affects older dogs. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms. More serious cases will include fever, depression and loss of appetite. Canine inflammatory bowel disease is usually treated with medications or dietary changes.
Allergies
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A dog itching and scratching at itself is an accepted and often ignored happening with our canine friends. But it may be indicative of something more than just a minor itch. There is a good chance that the dog is suffering from some form of allergy. Canine allergies are symptoms resulting from a dog's immune system working to get rid of foreign substances, better known as allergens. The substance can be artificial or organic, and in food, homes or the surrounding environment.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)
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Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a disease where the body attacks its own red blood cells. A dog that is suffering with AIHA will have a low number of red blood cells, also referred to anemia. Symptoms of AIHA include weakness, lethargy, anorexia, increased heart rate or heart murmurs, and pale gums or eyelids. Discoloration in the urine or stool may occur. More severe cases of AIHA can bring on a fever and jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the gums, eyes and skin. One treatment option is the use of prednisone, which takes about 5 to 7 days to work.
Addison's Disease
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Addison's disease is not common in dogs. But when it does occur, it is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. The disease is characterized by an insufficient amount of corticosteroid secretion from the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids are hormones that enable animals to adapt to stress. There are two types: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. The glucocorticoids regulate the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Mineralocorticoids regulate the balance of sodium and potassium. The symptoms of Addison's disease are not easy to pinpoint, but they include lethargy, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, and muscle weakness. Conventional treatment for Addison's disease is the use of hormone-replacement drugs.
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