Polysystemic autoimmune disease in a Cocker Spaniel with neurological and cardiac manifestations

Abstract

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.