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What are the common signs of an overactive immune system in your dog?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cocker Spaniel | Female | unspayed | 5 years and 7 months old

What are the signs of an over -active immune system in a dog?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 17th, 2018

I am very sorry to hear that Jess passed away. Whether or not IBD or cancer of the gut was the problem, steroids should have helped Jess feel better. EPI would be diagnosed with blood tests, and not with a biopsy, so that wouldn't have helped. Even with a biopsy, lymphoma or IBD would be treated with steroids, so I wouldn't be too worried about getting the exact answer. Also, heart disease is a very very common cause of disease in Cavaliers, and this would have been unrelated to the gut disease. I think that it would have been unlikely that even with significant diagnostics and treatments that Jess would have had a significantly longer life. It unfortunately sounds like even if you had done all of the tests and scopes in the world, Jess likely wouldn't have lived longer. I am so sorry about your girl. It sounds like you took as good care of her as you could, and I wouldn't feel bad.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. When the immune system over reacts, it can be displayed in many different ways. It depends on what part of the body the immune system attacks. IMHA (immune mediate hemolytic anemia) is a common one where the body starts ripping apart the red blood cells. Signs include pale gums, weakness, increased breathing and heart rates. Other systems the immune system can attack include platelets (cause clinical bleeding, small little red dots on the gums, weakness, trouble breathing), joints ( causes swollen/sore joints), spinal canal (causes pain moving the head around, seizures, tremors, neurological abnormalities), etc. These conditions are all very serious and are often life-threatening without immediate treatment. If you suspect any of these conditions with Jess, please have her into a vet right away. Best of luck with Jess.

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