- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If a rash has suddenly appeared on your dog’s nose, one possible cause could be lupus.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, or condition where the immune system starts to attack the body’s own tissues, explains Dr. Alex Avery, BVSc, a general companion veterinarian.
There are two types of lupus in dogs: chronic cutaneous lupus (CCL) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus can be serious, but treatments do exist, and they can make a difference in your dog’s symptoms and quality of life.
Read on to learn more about what to expect if your dog has lupus—and what you can do to support their well-being.
What Are The Types Of Lupus In Dogs?
Dr. Michael Rossi, a board certified veterinary dermatologist who has written extensively about lupus in dogs, describes the two main types of lupus in dogs.
- Chronic cutaneous lupus (CCL): This more mild variant generally causes skin symptoms only. This type of lupus is most common in dogs.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): This more serious form of lupus can affect other areas of your dog’s body. SLE is extremely rare, according to Dr. Rossi.
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
Discoid lupus is one type of CCL, according to Dr. Rossi, who says he routinely treats DLE in his practice.
“There are 2 forms of DLE: classic DLE and generalized DLE,” explains Dr. Rossi. “The classic form affects the face but also affects other areas of the body, such as the trunk. The generalized form affects other parts of the body, but the face is not affected.”
Discoid lupus can develop in puppies or adult dogs, but it most commonly shows up in adult dogs of around 7 years old.
This condition causes disc-shaped (discoid) skin lesions. Classic DLE commonly affects the bridge of a dog’s nose with symptoms like:
- A loss of pigment
- Inflammation and reddening of the skin
- Skin thinning with the loss of the typical cobblestone appearance
- Ulceration
Additionally, a lupus rash in dogs can also occur around the lips, ears, and eyes.
The generalized form of DLE causes the same disc-shaped skin lesions, but these show up on the the rest of the body, not the face.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
SLE can affect your dog’s entire body, not just their skin. This includes the joints, nervous system, blood, and organs like the heart and lungs.
SLE tends to affect middle-aged dogs, and it seems to affect male and female dogs equally.
Dr. Rossi says experts don’t fully understand SLE in dogs, and cases remain relatively rare.
Dogs with SLE can have symptoms that affect their skin, along with symptoms that affect the rest of their body, including:
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Loss of interest in food
- Limping
Dr. Alex notes that DLE and SLE are separate diseases. In other words, they won’t progress to the other condition.
What Causes Lupus In Dogs?
Experts don’t know the exact cause of lupus. As with other autoimmune diseases, many different things may play a role in its development, including:
- Genetic factors: Certain dog breeds more likely to develop lupus include German Shepherds, Collies, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Siberian Huskies.
- Certain medications: Some drugs may lead to the development of lupus or worsen symptoms. Ask your vet if you have any concerns about a medication they prescribe.
- Infections: Some infections, particularly viral infections, may trigger lupus in some dogs.
- UV exposure: Excessive exposure to sunlight can either trigger lupus or worsen symptoms in affected dogs.
How Do Vets Diagnose Lupus In Dogs?
Dogs’ noses can change color and appearance for many different reasons, so diagnosing lupus in dogs takes a few steps.
Dogs with lupus produce antibodies that bind to the genetic material of dead and broken cells in the bloodstream. These complexes then deposit into various tissues within the body, which causes the inflammation and other symptoms of lupus.
To diagnose lupus, your vet can do a blood test to check for these specific antibodies.
In order to diagnose DLE, the vet will probably take a biopsy of your dog’s tissue and send it to the lab for analysis.
If they suspect SLE, they may conduct additional blood tests to find kidney or liver damage.
How Do Vets Treat Lupus In Dogs?
Most cases of DLE will require some type of immune therapy.
Dr. Rossi says DLE often responds well to immunosuppression with glucocorticoids and that the dogs don’t usually need to stay on this medication long-term.
Other treatments for DLE include supplements, like vitamins and fatty acids, as well as other immunosuppressive medications t hat can help relieve symptoms. Your vet can recommend the right medication for your dog’s specific needs.
Dogs who have SLE may need specific treatments to support other affected parts of their body.
Above all, your vet will work to find a treatment that helps relieve your dog’s symptoms without causing side effects that are worse than those symptoms. In short, the treatment shouldn’t be worse than the disease, explains Dr. Rossi.
Avoid excess sun exposure
Dr. Rossi says some DLE lesions can increase your dog’s risk of developing skin cancer because most of the lesions get worse when exposed to UV light, including sunlight.
Dogs who have lupus shouldn’t spend a long time in the sun. They can still take daily walks, of course, but you won’t want to leave them outside or let them lie in the sun. Instead, try some indoor playtime.
When you do go on longer walks, Dr. Rossi recommends using a dog-friendly sunscreen. It may also help to choose a time of day, like early morning or evening, with a lower UV index.
What’s The Outlook For Dogs With Lupus?
DLE typically doesn’t affect a dog’s lifespan unless they go on to develop skin cancer, Dr. Rossi says.
Keep in mind, though, that your dog may not have constant symptoms. Various factors can affect lupus symptoms. For example, your dog may seem to improve in the winter, when there’s less daylight, and get worse in summer, when days are longer and brighter.
The outlook for dogs with SLE depends on what part of the body is most affected, Dr. Alex says, and whether they have damage to their vital organs. That said, many dogs respond well to treatment.
Your vet can work with you to develop the right treatment and management plan to help support your dog and keep them as comfortable and happy as possible.