Disorder - Systemic lupus erythematosus

Organ Systems Involved
Immune

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Arthritis; Autoimmune thrombocytopaenia; Glomerulonephritis; Haemolytic anaemia, autoimmune; Polyarthritis; Renal disease

Presenting Signs

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is disorder of the immune system. Normal animals produce antibodies that attack foreign tissue and protect the body from infection. However, cats with SLE produce antibodies that are wrongly directed against their own body. As a result, antibody joined to the cat’s own molecules (immune complexes) form, and these lodge in the cat’s tissue and damage it. Symptoms will vary depending on the organs affected.

SLE is usually diagnosed by excluding other diseases with similar symptoms, and by checking if cats meet a specific pre-determined check-list. Onset of the disease can be rapid and severe, or gradual with mild, intermittent symptoms. Cats with SLE have disease in multiple body systems including joints (arthritis), skin (dermatitis), kidneys and the blood. Dermatitis presents as progressive loss of hair with reddening and crusting of the skin, usually affecting the ears, feet and face. Abnormal walking or stance may be observed due to arthritis in multiple joints – these may be painful and distended. Destruction of blood cells by the cat's immune system can also result in pale pink or yellow gums.

Breeds Affected
Persian
Siamese


Treatment

Medical therapy aims to reduce the effectiveness of the immune system with immunosuppressive drugs. This will reduce the number of immune complexes formed, and thus result in less damage to host tissue.

PubMed References
Systemic lupus erythematosus

Contributor
Alissa Burney