Systemic Autoimmune Disease

At Strut Your Mutt with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the Humane Society of SLC 

My name is Katt. I am a sweet little black and white
 Chihuahua
 This will be my story as told by my best "blessed" human friend and guardian Jan Beach.



In May of 2013 I had never heard of this disease. It now controls and consumes my life. There is no cure.  We can only suppress and maintain the pain.
This tends to be a BITCH.  "just saying".
But I will tell the tale.

"This is a multisystem autoimmune disease that is characterized by the formation of antibodies against a wide array of self-antigens (antibody-generating substances) and circulating immune complexes. In other words, this is disease in which the body's immune system has become hyper-defensive, attacking the cells, organs, and tissues of its own body as if they are diseases that need to be destroyed. SLE is rare, but is believed to be underdiagnosed. SLE has been reported as a hereditary disorder. The mean age is six years, but it can occur at any age. Gender does not play a role. The definitive causes for SLE are unidentified.

One Symptom:

Clinical symptoms depend on the localization of the immune complexes, along with the specificity of the autoantibodies. However, genetic, environmental, pharmacologic, and infectious factors may play a role in the appearance of clinical signs such as letahrgy, loss of appetite (anorexia), and fever, which is especially seen in the acute phase. Other signs include

Musculoskeletal

• Deposition of immune complexes in the synovial membranes (the soft tissue lining the surfaces within the joints)
• Swollen and/or painful joints - major presenting sign in most patients
• Shifting-leg lameness
• Muscle pain or wasting

This is a progressive and unpredictable disease. Long-term, immunosuppressive therapy will be required. The treatments frequently have side effects that you will need to deal with as your dog's caretaker. Also, your veterinarian will want to see your dog weekly, at least initially, to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and to watch for severe side effects." From petmd.com.

 OHHHH But this really begins 6 years ago when I met my HUMAN.