Immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Has both rapid and long-term benefits; however, the precise mechanisms of action remain unknown.
• The initial effects could be explained by binding to Fc receptors and producing anti-idiotype antibodies.
• Long-term effects on immune system autoregulation may be connected with a reaction with a variety of membrane receptors on T cells, B cells, and monocytes that are involved in autoreactivity and self-tolerance induction.

Uses of Immunoglobulins

• Some severe immune-mediated illnesses in dogs are treated.
• Efficacy has been observed in immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.
• However, its utility in immune-mediated hemolytic anaemia is still debatable.
• Its application in other immune-mediated disorders has not been thoroughly researched.
• As a result, it should only be used in extreme circumstances where all other treatments have failed.

Dose of Immunoglobulins in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• 0.5–1.0 g/kg i.v. over 6–8 hours.
• Higher doses of up to 2.2 g/kg are used in some studies.

Cats:

• No information is available.

Side Effects of Immunoglobulins in Dogs and Cats

• Anaphylactic reactions are a risk but have not been recorded in dogs.

Contraindications of Immunoglobulins in Dogs and Cats

• Avoid in patients with increased plasma protein levels

Some Notes:

• None known but use with care in patients receiving drugs with strong protein-binding action and vaccines.