My cat Gus might have lupus

[lighthouse33]

Yikes!  My cat Gus might have lupus.  The vet called today with the blood test results on the thyroid.  That tested okay.
 
Vet is somewhat stumped as to what is going on.  The one test that came back positive was the antigen test.  He suspects it could be small bowel disease, lupus, lymphoma or another type of cancer.

He had some blood left over and is going to send it in for more testing.  Results will be in on Friday.

I didn?t know that dogs and cats can get autoimmune diseases like humans. 

Systemic Autoimmune Disease in Cats:

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/endocrine/c_ct_lupus_erythematosus?page=show

[finallyadx]

Oh I am so very sorry to hear that.  I did not know that cats could get lupus...I knew about cancer but never heard of lupus in cats.

Hoping he is okay.  Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

[Velcro]

I didn't know that either!  So sorry.

[litliwlowa]

I didn't know that either, Lighthouse. Although, there WAS a time humans didn't get AI's either.

Prayers for Gus!!

Amanda

[Carebear]

Poor Gus.  He's been through a lot this last year.  I hope his vet gets to the bottom of things, lighthouse, and he feels better soon.

[slccom]

I didn't know that either, Lighthouse. Although, there WAS a time humans didn't get AI's either.

Prayers for Gus!!

Amanda

I don't think so! They have mummys with RA damage.

Poor Gus!
Hugs, Sharon

[lighthouse33]

Rheumatoid Arthritis History:

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Rheumatoid-Arthritis-History.aspx

The "Braids Lady" of Arezzo: a case of rheumatoid arthritis in a 16th century mummy.:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12508764

DNA OF ITALIAN MUMMY REVEALS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN EUROPE BEFORE COLUMBUS:

http://www.paleopatologia.it/articoli/aticolo.php?recordID=39

[lighthouse33]

This article applies to dogs.

The Immune System and Autoimmune Diseases

http://petshrink.com/articles/The%20Immune%20System%20and%20Autoimmune%20Diseases.html

[aussie mum]

We have friends who's dog ended up on the same Thyroid medication as the owner.

[Sleepy In Seattle]

My dog has cutaneous Lupus on her nose...weird! Oh well - at least she has an owner who understands her...

[lighthouse33]

All of Gus? tests came back normal.  The vet is stumped even more now.  He thinks maybe Gus had a small bowel infection and the antibiotic shot he gave him last week, took care of it.

However, he does have a long history of elevated thyroid tests but none of them that have been out of the zone.  He is concerned that he could be headed for hypothyroidism.  So, we are to call him back in two week and let him know how Gus is doing. 

He does seem better.  Only used his box once overnight.  And, he wanted a lot of petting last night too. Has gained a pound and a half in a week.

[slccom]

I'm glad to hear the Gus is doing so well! Happy news!

Sharon

[Nancy60]

My dog had autoimmune hemolytic anemia, almost died, had to have blood transfusion and go on immunosuppressants for close to a year. I thought it was weird my dog also having autoimmune issues!  My vet said autoimmune and lupus not unusual in dogs. Sad that they should have to suffer with this too!

Nancy

[susanep]

I think they can get just about anything we do.

susanep