“Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.”
—Roger Caras, former President ASPCA

“A meow massages the heart.”
—Stuart McMillan

Auto-immune Diseases

Definition

The immune system is the body’s defense network of white blood cells, antibodies, and other substances used to fight off infections and reject foreign proteins. The immune system has the innate ability to recognize its own cells versus foreign cells. However, when a dog or cat has autoimmune disease, the immune system loses its ability to distinguish its own cells, and it begins to attack and reject the body’s own tissue as foreign. Autoimmune disease can affect a single system or be more generalized in nature.

Examples of autoimmune diseases:

• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (reduction of red blood cells)
• Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (destruction of clotting cells)
• Autoimmune diseases of the skin
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lupus (this can imitate almost any other disease)
• Immune-related arthritis
• Allergies
• A variety of other diseases affecting any body tissue, organ or symptom

Symptoms

Because autoimmune diseases can affect any bodily system or multiple systems, there are literally countless possible symptoms. Some include:

• Low white or red blood cell count
• Fever that does not respond to antibiotics
• Pain
• Attitude changes
• Muscle wasting
• Skin problems, including persistent itching
• Lesions, sores, blisters or other such skin blemishes
• Loss of skin pigment
• Depression
• Heart rate changes
• Anorexia
• Respiration changes
• Weakness, lethargy
• Heart murmurs
• Pale mucous membranes

How using ThePetCheckup regularly can help

The causes of autoimmune disease are not generally known. Some theories include genetics, environmental pollutants and food preservatives. Early detection is extremely important, as untreated autoimmune diseases are very serious and multiple system involvement is common. This can make diagnosis and treatment very difficult.

ThePetCheckup is an early detection, home health screening kit for dogs and cats. It helps animal caregivers protect the health of their dogs and cats between routine veterinary visits.