As of late, we have been learning of Irish Wolfhounds afflicted with autoimmune diseases. For those who are unfamiliar, do not feel left out as up until the past two decades autoimmune maladies were somewhat exotic. Not any longer. We now hear of alarming incidences of dogs with an autoimmune disease, particularly in Irish Wolfhounds throughout the country.

Autoimmune diseases are caused by the immune system attacking itself triggered either accidentally or by infection or another illness. Quoting Ernest Ward, DVM at VCAhospitals.com, "Autoimmune disease can affect a single system or multiple body systems. Autoimmune diseases can affect skin, connective tissues, nerves, muscles, the endocrine system (the system that controls hormones and other chemicals), red blood cells, and the digestive system."

Usually, the most recognized symptom of an autoimmune disease is skin problems, and they can be very complicated. A few examples that Dr. Ward discusses are:
Bullous Pemphigoid
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE)
Pemphigus complex of which Pemphigus itself is a group of five autoimmune skin separate diseases. The Reader can do further research at VCAhospitals.com.

However, there seems to be no limit to the damage autoimmune diseases can inflict. According to Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM, who has written extensively on these subjects throughout the decades, autoimmune diseases affect the thyroid, blood, eyes, skin, muscles, joints and specific organs.

Most prominently, besides skin diseases, is the digestive system. It is one of the most commonly affected organs in which Irritable Bowel Disease, and Leaky Gut Syndrome or Intestinal Permeability occurs. See my Nutrition and Health Concerns pages about Leaky Gut Syndrome.

What does all this have to do with heartworm preventative? If your hound is suspected or diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, then they should not be vaccinated! However, just as important is the type of heartworm preventative that can or cannot be used. Even more, the kind of Heartworm Preventative will vary depending on what breed of dog you have as well!

As Dr. Jean Dodds explains in her article, "Dr. Dodds’ Take on and General Recommendations for Heartworm Preventives"

"Some individual animals affected with autoimmune diseases and their immediate relatives have been shown to react adversely to commercial, monthly heartworm preventives. When an individual’s immune system is compromised, any regular exposure to particular kinds of drugs, chemicals or toxins can produce significant adverse effects, whereas these exposures are well-tolerated by animals by animals with healthy immune systems that do not carry the genetic susceptibility to these disorders. It is important to emphasize that the licensed drug or chemical is safe unless used in a genetically or physiologically susceptible companion animal. These adverse reactions usually occur within the first 10-14 days after the monthly product has been administered and typically begin after an animal has had 2-5 doses. Occasionally, animals that have been taking monthly preventives for a relatively long time will develop subsequent product intolerance. This usually indicates that some underlying disease process has emerged to explain the problem. Based on cumulative data, it is my recommendation that dogs affected with autoimmune diseases and their immediate relatives receive only plain daily heartworm preventive (Dimmitrol = diethylcarbamazine). If heartworm disease is not prevalent where the animals live, routine use of heartworm preventives is not recommended. This is especially important for dogs suffering from chronic diseases of the skin, hair and coat, or those with bone marrow, thyroid or liver disease."

It is vital that an autoimmune disease be diagnosed as quickly as possible as the severity of the symptoms can be severe and complex, meaning they can consist of multiple parts which will always complicate matters. Keep your spirits up; although autoimmune diseases cannot be cured unless they are caused by environmental factors that can be diminished or eliminated, most times, with a concerted effort, these diseases can be controlled.