Autoimmune diseases in cats can be confusing and difficult to understand. This blog post will discuss four common autoimmune diseases in cats: pemphigus foliaceus, stomatitis, systemic lupus erythematosis, and hemolytic anemia. We'll explore the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for each disease and hopefully, you will get a better understanding of the autoimmune diseases in cats.
Pemphigus foliaceus in cats
Autoimmune diseases in cats are relatively uncommon but can be extremely serious when they do occur. One of the most serious of these is pemphigus foliaceus, which is a condition that causes auto-antibodies to attack the proteins in the skin. This can lead to ulcers and blisters on the skin, which can be extremely painful and uncomfortable for your cat.
Pemphigus foliaceus in cats is mostly idiopathic, meaning without a known cause. However, potential triggers that could have caused the disease may be found by looking at the cat's history. One potential trigger is exposure to ultraviolet sunlight. Skin lesions from pemphigus foliaceus can get worse during the summer months and improve during winter.
Symptoms of pemphigus foliaceus in cats
The most common symptom of pemphigus foliaceus in cats is the development of small blisters or pustules on the skin that develop into crusting lesions. These lesions are usually found on the face, head, and neck. The lesions may be itchy, painful, or both and cats often have bilaterally symmetrical lesion distribution.
Treatment for pemphigus foliaceus in cats
There is no known cure for pemphigus foliaceus in cats, but there are treatments available that can help control the symptoms and improve your cat's quality of life. The most common treatment is immunosuppressive therapy, which helps reduce the immune system's activity. The most common medication used to treat pemphigus foliaceus in cats is prednisolone.
Stomatitis in cats
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mouth that typically starts in the gums and soft tissues around the teeth or the oropharyngeal area. It can happen at the same time as gingivitis or glossitis (inflammation of the tongue). While there are many causes of stomatitis in cats, a specific type called lymphocytic plasmacytic stomatitis is thought to be due to an abnormal immune response.
Symptoms of stomatitis in cats
The most common symptoms of stomatitis in cats are excessive drooling, lack of appetite (anorexia), and bad breath (halitosis). The tissues in the oral cavity will be visibly red and inflamed, and your cat may paw at the face or rub its head on objects in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. In severe cases, stomatitis can lead to weight loss and dehydration due to a lack of appetite.
Treatment for stomatitis in cats
The goals of treatment for stomatitis in cats usually include controlling inflammation, decreasing the immune response, treating infection, managing pain, and providing adequate nutrition. Cyclosporine can be used for its immunomodulatory effects and is beneficial for lymphocytic plasmacytic stomatitis. Dental extractions are usually needed to control clinical signs and produce better outcomes than medical therapy alone.
Systemic lupus erythematosus in cats
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is another one of the common autoimmune diseases in cats. The condition is marked by creating different autoantibodies that make up immune complexes. When antibodies and antigens meet, they form immune complexes. Usually, the immune system clears these complexes away; however, in cats with systemic lupus erythematosus, high levels of circulating immune complexes are produced. This happens because these cats continuously form autoantibodies, and their clearance mechanisms don't work properly. As a result, the immune system becomes overloaded.
The exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus in cats is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and physiological factors.
Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus in cats
The symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus in cats can vary and may come and go. They can also be different from one cat to another. The most common symptom is chronic inflammation, which can lead to joint pain, lameness, and fever. Other symptoms include kidney disease, anemia, skin problems, and central nervous system problems.
Treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus in cats
There is no cure for systemic lupus erythematosus, but there are treatments available to help control the symptoms and improve your cat's quality of life. Immunosuppressive therapy is the most frequently used treatment, which helps to decrease the immune system's activity. The most common medications used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus in cats are corticosteroids but other immunosuppressive drugs may also be used.
Hemolytic anemia in cats
Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which the red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced. This can be caused by an autoimmune reaction, where the body's immune system produces antibodies that attack and destroy the red blood cells. It can also be caused by several other conditions, including cancer, infections, and blood parasites.
Symptoms of hemolytic anemia in cats
The most common symptom of hemolytic anemia is weakness and lethargy. Other symptoms include pale gums, rapid breathing/panting, and dark urine. In severe cases, cats may collapse and go into shock.
Treatment for hemolytic anemia in cats
The treatment for hemolytic anemia will depend on the underlying cause. If the condition is caused by an autoimmune reaction, treatment will focus on suppressing the immune system. If the condition is caused by cancer, treatment will focus on cancer itself. If the condition is caused by an infection, treatment will focus on the infection. Blood transfusions may also be necessary in some cases if the red blood cell counts drop too low.
Autoimmune diseases in cats are caused by a malfunction of the immune system. While there are many autoimmune and immune-mediated feline diseases, this article focussed on the four most common. The symptoms and treatment for autoimmune diseases vary from one cat to another but typically involve suppressing the immune system. If you think your cat may have an autoimmune disease, please consult with your veterinarian.