Sjorgren’s-like syndrome

Introduction

This is a rare syndrome is a complex of xerophthalmia and xerostomia due to lymphocyte-mediated destruction of exocrine glands of salivary glands. Both those terms refer to cessation of production of tear or saliva production respectively. It may be caused by a primary autoimmune defect or part of another autoimmune condition.

Other causes of xerostomia include dysautonomia, infectious sialadenitis, neoplasia, salivary amyloidosis, head and neck radiation, drugs or autolytic disease.

Clinical Signs

Keratoconjunctivitis (dry eye), ulcers of the eye, difficulty swallowing, stomatitis, gingivitis and glossitis are all possible clinical signs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis by elimination of all other causes of these clinical signs.

Treatment

None

Supportive treatments to treat clinical signs can be used such as eye lubrication, cleaning and cleansing the mouth and pain relief.

Prognosis

Guarded to Poor

References

Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial

Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition) Mosby Elsevier.

Tilley, L.P. and Smith, F.W.K.(2004)The 5-minute Veterinary Consult (Third edition) Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.