Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low blood antibody levels in related Weimaraner dogs
By Day, M J et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·1997·Department of Pathology and Microbiology, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Low serum immunoglobulin concentrations in related Weimaraner dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A young Weimaraner dog, first seen at 15 weeks old, suffered from ongoing health issues affecting its digestive system, skin, and joints over a period of about 229 days. Blood tests showed that the dog had low levels of important immune proteins called immunoglobulins, which help fight infections. Sadly, one of its littermates died suddenly at 27 weeks, and another had skin infections, both also showing low immunoglobulin levels. This suggests a possible inherited immune deficiency in Weimaraners, meaning they may struggle to produce enough of these protective proteins.
People also search for: Weimaraner immune deficiency · dog skin infections treatment · low immunoglobulin levels in dogs · Weimaraner health problems · puppy digestive issues.
Abstract
Chronic, recurrent disease involving the alimentary tract, joints, skin and peripheral lymph nodes, central nervous system and conjunctivae was recorded over a 229 day period in a young Weimaraner dog, first presented at 15 weeks of age. The dog had a left shift neutrophilia during periods of active disease and persistently subnormal levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG; 2.8 to 9.2 mg/ml) and IgA (< 0.1 to 0.26 mg/ml) in the absence of circulating immune complexes. One littermate died suddenly at 27 weeks of age and a second littermate had an episode of pyoderma. Both of these dogs had low serum IgG (3.5 to 7.2 mg/ml) and the second littermate also had reduced serum IgA (< 0.1 to 0.15 mg/ml). The dam of the litter and three other related dogs had reduced serum IgA (0.22 to 0.31 mg/ml); circulating immune complexes were not recorded in any of the related dogs. This case is the first of putative immunodeficiency of Weimaraners in the UK. Inability to synthesise adequate concentrations of serum immunoglobulins should be considered a primary defect in this disorder.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9239635/