Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
IV immunoglobulin treatment helps dogs recover faster
By Hirschvogel, Katrin et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2012·Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical course of acute canine polyradiculoneuritis following treatment with human IV immunoglobulin.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs diagnosed with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis (ACP), a condition that affects their ability to walk, were treated with human IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) to see if it would help them recover faster. Sixteen dogs received IVIg, while fourteen others were treated with standard supportive care. The dogs that received IVIg were able to walk on their own after about 27.5 days, compared to 75.5 days for those who only received supportive treatment. Although the difference wasn't statistically significant, it suggests that IVIg may help dogs recover more quickly from this condition.
People also search for: dog walking problems · canine polyradiculoneuritis treatment · IV immunoglobulin for dogs
Abstract
Treatment of dogs with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis (ACP) is restricted to physical rehabilitation and supportive care. In humans with Guillain-Barré syndrome, the counterpart of ACP, randomized trials show that IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) speeds recovery. The authors of the current study hypothesized that dogs with ACP would tolerate IVIg well and recover faster than dogs managed with supportive treatment only. Sixteen client-owned dogs with ACP were treated with IVIg, and 14 client-owned dogs served as a retrospective control group. Diagnosis was confirmed using clinical features, electrodiagnostics, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and muscle/nerve biopsies. The duration of the initial progressive phase, the time from IVIg administration until the dogs were ambulating without assistance, and the duration of the complete episode were evaluated. Adverse reactions (anaphylaxis, mild hematuria) were observed in two dogs. Dogs treated with IVIg were ambulating without assistance after a median of 27.5 days (range, 15-127 days) from onset of clinical signs. The control group was ambulatory without assistance at a median of 75.5 days (range, 5-220 days). Even though this result is not statistically significant, there is a clear trend toward faster recovery in dogs treated with IVIg.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22843822/