Canine Autoimmune Disease
Canine autoimmune disease is a complicated health issue. This is because there are causes believed to combine to create this disease but no solid evidence to show this. Meanwhile this disease can be mistaken for other progressive diseases which can cause confusion in treatment methods. If you suspect your dog has canine autoimmune disease you should ask your veterinarian to rule out this problem before making a final diagnosis.
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Identification
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Canine autoimmune disease is the result of one or more problems in your dog's immune system. The immune system becomes overactive and can no longer distinguish between the body it protects and a foreign body. The immune system halts production of normal antibodies and begins production of an auto-antibody that attacks normal cells. This disease can be restricted to a single organ or spread through your dog. Various diseases are a result of canine autoimmune disease such as Addison's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, canine inflammatory bowel diseases and allergies, which are a result of a hypersensitive immune system.
Causes
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The cause of canine autoimmune disease is not exactly known. Many veterinarians believe that certain causes can help create a hypersensitive immune system. These causes can include overuse of vaccines, antibiotics and steroids; environmental pollutants; chemicals found in pesticides; and some food preservatives such as ethoxyquin.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms of canine autoimmune disease can affect many organs in the body. Many of the symptoms mimic other conditions so the disease is sometimes hard to pinpoint. Some common symptoms for this disease include diarrhea, lethargy, depression, intolerance to exercise, skin ulcers, stiff joints, anemia, seizures, loss of appetite and a strong body odor.
Treatment
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One of the common treatment methods is to use natural treatments. Veterinarians often recommend a natural, nutritious diet with herbs and natural supplements to balance the immune system. Some of the effective supplements include essential fatty acids and digestive enzymes. The essential fatty acids help provide healthy skin and digestive tracts which in turn defend the immune system. The enzymes help in digestion and balance of essential bacteria in the digestive tract.
Further Prevention
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Other considerations to help the immune system operate effectively include eliminating stress from your dog's life and removing toxins and pollutants from the living spaces. Proper diets and exercise added to the considerations above can help improve immune systems in dogs.
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