What Is Dog Autoimmune Disease?
Dog autoimmune disease was once considered uncommon, but in recent years, it has become more frequently diagnosed. In a healthy dog, the immune system works to protect the body by identifying and combating harmful viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. It does this by producing antibodies designed to attack only these foreign threats.
With autoimmune disease, the immune system becomes imbalanced and no longer functions properly. Instead of recognizing the body’s own cells as “self,” it mistakenly identifies them as harmful and produces antibodies against them. Sadly, these misguided antibodies attack the dog’s own tissues, leading to a wide range of problems. Autoimmune conditions can affect the skin, blood, joints, nervous system, or even vital organs.
From a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) perspective, autoimmune disorders often reflect a profound imbalance in the body’s Qi and Essence. Excess Heat, Yin deficiency, or a disruption in the balance between Yin and Yang may cause the immune system to become overactive, leading it to attack the body instead of protecting it. This imbalance can lead to inflammation, weakness, or systemic dysfunction.
While dog autoimmune disease cannot be cured, it can often be managed. Through a combination of veterinary care, careful monitoring, and supportive therapies—including diet, stress reduction, and in some cases herbal formulas—dogs with autoimmune disease can experience improved comfort and quality of life.
Symptoms of Dog Autoimmune Disease
The signs of autoimmune disease in dogs can be confusing because they often resemble symptoms of other skin, joint, or organ problems. This overlap makes proper veterinary diagnosis essential.
Common symptoms include:
- Skin issues such as dermatitis, lesions, sores, or areas of skin discoloration
- Hair loss in patches or generalized thinning of the coat
- Fever or recurring elevated temperatures without a clear cause
- Joint swelling and stiffness, sometimes mistaken for arthritis
- Lethargy and weakness, with reduced desire to play or exercise
- Weight loss, even with a normal appetite
- Chronic inflammation that doesn’t improve with standard treatments
- Certain autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, may cause a combination of these symptoms, affecting both the skin and internal organs.
From a TCVM perspective, these symptoms reflect underlying imbalances. Heat toxins may rise to the surface of the body, creating skin lesions, redness, and irritation. Qi and Blood stagnation can lead to joint swelling and stiffness, while Yin deficiency may result in chronic fever, restlessness, and weight loss. Recognizing these patterns helps guide supportive care aimed at restoring harmony and easing discomfort.
Because dog autoimmune disease can mimic many other conditions, working closely with your veterinarian for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment is crucial.
Diagnosing Canine Autoimmune Disease
Because dog autoimmune disease symptoms closely mimic many other conditions, only your veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis. A thorough evaluation is essential to rule out infections, allergies, hormonal imbalances, or other illnesses that may appear similar.
Diagnostic steps may include:
- Comprehensive blood tests to evaluate organ function, red and white blood cell counts, and markers of inflammation
- Physical examination to check for visible signs such as skin lesions, joint swelling, or abnormal organ function
- Skin biopsy if your dog shows dermatological symptoms, to distinguish autoimmune skin disease from infections or allergies
- ANA (antinuclear antibody test), which may be used to help diagnose lupus or related autoimmune conditions
Your veterinarian may adjust the depth of testing depending on what is observed during the exam and your dog’s overall condition. In some cases, extensive testing is necessary to confirm a diagnosis; in others, a pattern of symptoms, along with basic lab results, may be sufficient to guide treatment.
From a TCVM perspective, diagnosis also includes an energetic assessment. A TCVM-trained veterinarian may examine your dog’s tongue, pulse, and overall body condition to identify imbalances such as Yin deficiency, Heat toxins, or Qi stagnation that contribute to autoimmune dysfunction. This complementary perspective can help shape supportive treatment strategies in conjunction with conventional care.
Western Treatment for Canine Autoimmune Disease
Currently, Western veterinary medicine lacks a comprehensive cure for canine autoimmune disease. However, symptoms can often be managed effectively, allowing many dogs to enjoy improved comfort and quality of life.
Treatment typically involves medications that calm the immune system. Most veterinarians prescribe corticosteroids (such as prednisone) as the first line of therapy. In more severe cases, or when steroids alone are not enough, more potent immunosuppressive drugs like azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, or mycophenolate may be used. These medications work by suppressing overactive immune responses, reducing inflammation, and limiting tissue damage.
If your dog also has skin involvement, your veterinarian may recommend topical ointments, antibiotics, or additional anti-inflammatory drugs to help with sores, infections, and irritation. Supportive care—such as a balanced diet, omega-3 fatty acids for skin and joint health, and regular blood work monitoring—is also essential.
Lifestyle management plays a vital role in care. To protect your dog’s overall health, you’ll want to:
- Avoid strenuous exercise that may worsen fatigue or joint pain
- Reduce exposure to stress, which can trigger flare-ups
- Schedule regular veterinary checkups to monitor response to treatment and adjust medications as needed
While these medications often bring relief, long-term use can have side effects, so careful monitoring with your veterinarian is essential.
TCVM Treatment for Canine Autoimmune Disease
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) views illness differently than Western veterinary medicine. Instead of focusing solely on symptoms, TCVM seeks out the underlying energetic imbalances that disrupt bodily harmony. In TCVM theory, disease arises when Yin and Yang fall out of balance, Qi is blocked or deficient, or pathogenic factors such as Heat or Dampness overwhelm the body.
To restore balance, TCVM practitioners employ a range of therapies, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, food therapy, Tui Na (medical massage), and moxibustion (a warming therapy). Each method works to rebalance energy, strengthen the body, and support healing from within.
For dogs with autoimmune disease, one commonly used herbal formula is Rehmannia 6. This blend is specifically designed to nourish the Yin and tonify the Kidneys, addressing the deep deficiencies often associated with immune-mediated disorders. By supporting Yin and Kidney function, Rehmannia 6 helps calm excess internal Heat, reduce dryness, and restore the body’s ability to self-regulate.
Dogs who may benefit from Rehmannia 6 often show specific signs of imbalance, such as:
- Seeking cool places or surfaces
- Dry, flaky skin and coat
- Excessive thirst and panting
- A red, dry tongue
- A thready, rapid pulse
- General Yin deficiency patterns
By addressing these root energetic imbalances rather than just the outward symptoms, TCVM aims to restore the immune system to harmony. This holistic approach complements Western therapies, providing dogs with autoimmune disease with additional support for comfort, vitality, and long-term well-being.
What Are The Ingredients in Rehmannia 6?
Rehmannia 6 is a classic TCVM herbal blend designed to nourish Yin and tonify Kidney energy, two areas often deficient in dogs with autoimmune disease or chronic conditions. The six herbs in this formula work together in harmony, each playing a unique role:
- Fu Ling – Drains Damp, strengthens the Spleen, and supports fluid balance
- Mu Dan Pi – Cools the Liver and clears Heat to reduce internal inflammation
- Shan Yao – Tonifies Qi, strengthens digestion, and nourishes Kidney Jing (Essence)
- Shan Zhu Yu – Stabilizes and nourishes Yin, helping to preserve Essence
- Shu Di Huang – Deeply nourishes Yin, Blood, and Jing, restoring vitality and cooling deficiency Heat
- Ze Xie – Drains Damp and clears “false Fire” from the Kidneys, preventing excess Heat from rising
Together, these herbs bring balance by tonifying deficiencies, draining excess, and cooling internal Heat that contributes to immune dysfunction.
Rehmannia 6 is based on the ancient formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, first recorded in 1119 by physician Quan Li in Craft of Medicinal Treatment for Childhood Disease Patterns. Dr. Huisheng Xie, founder of Chi University in Reddick, Florida, adapted this formula specifically for veterinary use, creating Jing Tang’s Rehmannia 6.
Typically, TCVM herbal blends take 6–8 weeks to show maximum benefit. Their effects are gradual, focusing on rebalancing the body rather than providing quick symptom relief. For best results, Rehmannia 6 is often combined with Eastern Food Therapy, adequate hydration, stress reduction, and gentle, case-appropriate exercise. This integrative approach supports the body’s natural healing capacity while improving overall comfort and vitality.
Get Rehmannia 6 at TCVM Pet Supply
Note: Information on this site is provided for educational purposes only and is not meant to substitute advice provided by your own veterinarian.
