Structure and Function of the Immune System in Dogs

Structure and Function of the Immune System in Dogs

By: Virginia Wells

What Are the Common Diseases of the Immune System?

Disorders of the immune system fall into three major categories: immune deficiencies, immune-mediated diseases, and cancer of the immune system.

  • Immune deficiencies may be inherited and congenital or may be acquired at some time during life. Congenital immune deficiencies usually reflect abnormal function of one or more whiteCrystal Eye 4oz
    Four Paws Crystal Eye (4 oz.) is a safe tear stain remover for dogs and cats. Crystal Eye can also be used on boxers, bulldogs, shar-peis and similar ...     blood cells, the inability to produce normal numbers of white blood cells, or an inability to produce antibodies. Congenital underdevelopment of the thymus is also possible. Acquired immune deficiencies may develop in association with other systemic diseases, such as sugar diabetes, the production of too much cortisone hormone by the body (hyperadrenocorticism), and cancer.


  • Immune-mediated diseases include any disorder in which the immune reaction mounted by the body is harmful to the body, or when the immune reaction is mistakenly directed against parts of the body's own organs. Examples of immune-mediated diseases include allergic reactions to food, drugs, vaccines, insect bites; anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic immune reaction; atopy or allergic skin disease from inhaled allergens; immune-mediated hemolytic anemia where the body attacks its own red blood cells; lupus erythematosus, an inflammatory disease associated with the formation of autoantibodies (antibodies directed against portions of the body) against the joints, kidneys, skin and other tissues; pemphigus complex, which is a group of immune-mediated diseases of the skin and mucous membranes characterized by blisters and ulcerations; immune-mediated thrombocytopenia where the immune system attacks the body's platelets; and immune-mediated polyarthritis, an inflammatory joint disease.

  • Cancer of the immune system usually involves the over production of immune cells, and may result in the over production of immunoglobulins. Cancer of the immune system may arise as a solid tumor or a circulating leukemia of white blood cells, or as a tumor of the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes or bone marrow.

    What Types of Diagnostic Tests Are Used to Evaluate the Immune System?

  • Complete blood count, with differentiation of the types of white blood cells present in the blood.

  • A chemistry profile and a urinalysis

  • Bone marrow aspirate or biopsy and cytology

  • Fine needle aspirate and cytology of any abnormal lymph nodes, spleen or thymus

  • Chest X-rays to evaluate the size of the thymus

  • Abdominal X-rays and ultrasonography to evaluate the spleen and other abdominal organs

  • Specialized immune function tests, such as a Coombs test, measurement and classification of immunoglobulins in the blood, antinuclear antibody (ANA) assay, a lupus cell assay, lymphocyte transformation test, neutrophil function test

  • Removal and biopsy of abnormal immune tissues

  • Serologic tests that detect infectious diseases that can affect the immune system

  • Intradermal and serum allergy testing

     
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
    and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs (IMHA), Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

      IMHA is a disease in which the body’s immune system, which is designed to attack and kill germs, attacks and kills the body’s own red blood cells; it occurs more often in dogs than in cats and in middle...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Pemphigus Foliaceus in Dogs

      This is a severe skin disease that is characterized by pustules and blisters that rupture, causing damage to the skin of the face, ears, feet and eventually the entire skin.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Thrombocytopenia in Dogs

      Thrombocytopenia refers to an abnormally low blood-concentration of platelets, which are blood cells that promote blood clotting after injury to the lining of the blood vessels. When the concentration...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 Discoid Lupus

      Discoid lupus erythematosus is considered a benign form of systemic lupus. It is limited to the skin and can affect both people and dogs. In dogs, the face and nose are commonly affected areas, and direct...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 Systemic Lupus Erythematous

      Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease, which is one characterized by a specific antibody or cell-mediated immune response against the body's own tissues. The disease affects many organs...

      Read MoreRead More
    • Related Articles
    • 1Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs (IMHA), Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

      IMHA is a disease in which the body’s immune system, which is designed to attack and kill germs, attacks and kills the body’s own red blood cells; it occurs more often in dogs than in cats and in middle...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Thrombocytopenia in Dogs

      Thrombocytopenia refers to an abnormally low blood-concentration of platelets, which are blood cells that promote blood clotting after injury to the lining of the blood vessels. When the concentration...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Discoid Lupus

      Discoid lupus erythematosus is considered a benign form of systemic lupus. It is limited to the skin and can affect both people and dogs. In dogs, the face and nose are commonly affected areas, and direct...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4Pemphigus Foliaceus in Dogs

      This is a severe skin disease that is characterized by pustules and blisters that rupture, causing damage to the skin of the face, ears, feet and eventually the entire skin.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5Systemic Lupus Erythematous

      Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease, which is one characterized by a specific antibody or cell-mediated immune response against the body's own tissues. The disease affects many organs...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs (IMHA), Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

      IMHA is a disease in which the body’s immune system, which is designed to attack and kill germs, attacks and kills the body’s own red blood cells; it occurs more often in dogs than in cats and in middle...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Thrombocytopenia in Dogs

      Thrombocytopenia refers to an abnormally low blood-concentration of platelets, which are blood cells that promote blood clotting after injury to the lining of the blood vessels. When the concentration...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Discoid Lupus

      Discoid lupus erythematosus is considered a benign form of systemic lupus. It is limited to the skin and can affect both people and dogs. In dogs, the face and nose are commonly affected areas, and direct...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4Pemphigus Foliaceus in Dogs

      This is a severe skin disease that is characterized by pustules and blisters that rupture, causing damage to the skin of the face, ears, feet and eventually the entire skin.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5Systemic Lupus Erythematous

      Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease, which is one characterized by a specific antibody or cell-mediated immune response against the body's own tissues. The disease affects many organs...

      Read MoreRead More