Polysystemic Autoimmune Disease In A Cocker Spaniel With Neurological And Cardiac Manifestations

A 6-year-old female-neutered Cocker Spaniel was presented for investigation of a 3-week history of persistent pyrexia, lethargy, thoracic spinal pain and anorexia. Bloodwork documented marked elevation in C-reactive protein (CRP) 103.5 mg/L (0-8.2 mg/L) and haematological changes consistent with marked systemic inflammation. Investigations confirmed non-erosive immune-mediated polyarthritis, sterile neutrophilic pericarditis, non-degenerate neutrophilic inflammation within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) consistent with neutrophilic pleocytosis, a small volume pleural effusion, elevated cardiac troponin and proteinuria. Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) was considered despite a borderline anti-nuclear antibody titre (1:40). Following initiation of immunosuppressive therapy (2 mg/kg prednisolone q 24 hrs), the patient had rapid resolution of clinical signs with normalisation of proteinuria, CRP and pericardial effusion after 1 month of treatment. This case represents an interesting presentation of polysystemic autoimmune disease in the dog.