Combination therapy of cyclosporine and prednisolone in a dog with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

An 11-year-old, spayed female poodle presented with fever and shifting lameness. Physical examination revealed hyperthermia (40.6oC), and proteinuria was detected upon urinalysis. Increased neutrophils (83%) and decreased viscosity were revealed upon synovial fluid analysis. Serum antinuclear antibody was positive at 1:80. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Immunosuppressive therapy was initiated with prednisolone and cyclosporine, and the condition was markedly improved after the treatments. This case report describes the clinical and laboratory findings, imaging characteristics and successful outcomes after prednisolone plus cyclosporine therapy in a canine systemic lupus erythematosus case.