Our 10yr old mongrel dog has recently been diagnosed with canine lupus (a horrible disease where his body has started to reject his nose and ears), we think it is the more severe SLE type as he started with unexplained lameness, very high fever (105!) and was very lethargic and off his food. The vet didn't know what it was at first but after a week on antibiotics he suddenly started sneezing and became very snuffly and snotty. His nose became all scabby and this spread up his nose to his eyes and then the edges of his ears started weeping and became very scabby. After taking a biopsy from an enlarged lymph node (Vet thought leukemia at first but there were no cancer cells found). The vet tried him on steroids because he wasn't eating. This improved him enough to make him eat but he was still very lame and reluctant to move. This is when the vet thought that he must have SLE. He is now on strong steroids and antibiotics for a week to see how he goes. He has improved a lot, he seems quite bright but he is still not wanting to walk far or play like he used to.

Has anyone else ever had a dog with this? Do you know of anything that might help? and what is the long term prognosis?

Our vet is on holiday for a week and we're not due back to see him until next Monday, I've been searching the internet but can only find details of the disease and not a lot of other info. I know there might be a chance of heart, lung or kidney failure and would just like any info that anyone can give us

Thanks

I had a cat who had the cat version of this i dont know if it is the same treatment but he was on steriods and antibiotics BUT charlie had it on his paws so he had to have his feet bandaged and cleaned daily.
Unfortunatly it spread to all 4 paws and he had to be pts.
We found that the steriods helped a lot, I know this is a difference species but I hope it all goes well for you xx

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Don't know anything about it at all Sally - just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about the bad news. Fingers crossed that he will respond to steroid treatment and not develop any of the organ failures you mention.

Roger's nose.jpg

Close up.jpg

Here are a couple of pics of Roger's nose, this is a big improvement on how it looked last week but I thought it might be useful for anyone to see what it looks like, just in case their dog is suffering from something similar.

Awww poor boy sorry he's going thro this, its so sad i really hope u can find some form of medi wich will help improve hes life.

ild like to know more about this, never heard of it be4, is it hereditary??? or does it just happen ?

out of interest wat is he crossed with??

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Aww poor boy. Sorry I have never heard of the disease before but my healing vides are being sent through the internet.
Emma x

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Looking at that hun it's the exact same thing charlie had.
Im sorry you are going through this and I really hope he gets better hun xx

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Thanks to everyone who replied,

I'm not sure what mix Roger is, he came from the RSPCA at 8months old and he looked very much like a border terrier then but bigger. His size,build and stance now remind me of an Irish terrier so there could be some of that in him too!

I think SLE is hereditory but most of the info I've found on the internet just repeats the same things and there doesn't seem to be much known about it. According to this info it is mainly found in German Shepherd, Collie, Brittany Spaniel, Shetland Sheepdog, Siberian Husky, and German Shorthaired Pointer breeds. As Roger doesn't appear to fit any of these breeds who knows!

I found an American homeopathic website who claims to have had great results with Calendular and Hypericum cream so I've ordered some from Ainsworths Products. The problem is keeping it on him and stopping him rubbing it all off on the sofa!

I'll keep you all informed on how he progresses.

Aw poor boy! It must be painful I hope he gets better and yes keep us posted. It might be helpful to other people who have animals with this problem. I'm glad you posted about it because i've never heard of it before and now i know about it i might be able to spot the signs if it happens to any of my or my friends animals.

Get well soon Roger

xx

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that looks realy sore poor lad
hope he is feeling better soon