IgA deficiency
IgA deficiency is an immune system disorder that occurs due to a lack of IgA (immunoglobulin A) immunoproteins. The immune system produces these proteins in response to the presence of antigens such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Antibodies recognize and attack antigens by binding to them and remove them from the body. IgA is found on the skin, in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive tracts, and in tears. When the immune system fails to produce sufficient amount of IgA, or does not produce it at all, animals have chronic, recurrent respiratory infections, digestive system disorders, dermatitis, and allergies. The IgA deficiency in the German Shepherd Dog has been associated with severe infections, such as Aspergillosis (100% mortality rate), Otitis externa and folliculitis. These infections are commonly unresponsive to antibiotics, but what is interesting is that it is noted that affected dogs are usually smaller than their littermates therefore dwarf dogs it seems may well be predisposed to this condition although this has not been investigated. In puppies, the disease manifests as scratching, sneezing, nasal discharge, chronic diarrhoea, and frequent urination. This condition can easily be overlooked as the effects of pituitary dwarfism are more urgent. The IgA deficiency is usually diagnosed through a blood test which may show reduced or absent IgA, this problem could be present in some dwarf dogs and therefore is worth examining if other treatments are ineffective particularly if excessive scratching is seen.
IgA deficiency is an immune system disorder that occurs due to a lack of IgA (immunoglobulin A) immunoproteins. The immune system produces these proteins in response to the presence of antigens such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Antibodies recognize and attack antigens by binding to them and remove them from the body. IgA is found on the skin, in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive tracts, and in tears. When the immune system fails to produce sufficient amount of IgA, or does not produce it at all, animals have chronic, recurrent respiratory infections, digestive system disorders, dermatitis, and allergies. The IgA deficiency in the German Shepherd Dog has been associated with severe infections, such as Aspergillosis (100% mortality rate), Otitis externa and folliculitis. These infections are commonly unresponsive to antibiotics, but what is interesting is that it is noted that affected dogs are usually smaller than their littermates therefore dwarf dogs it seems may well be predisposed to this condition although this has not been investigated. In puppies, the disease manifests as scratching, sneezing, nasal discharge, chronic diarrhoea, and frequent urination. This condition can easily be overlooked as the effects of pituitary dwarfism are more urgent. The IgA deficiency is usually diagnosed through a blood test which may show reduced or absent IgA, this problem could be present in some dwarf dogs and therefore is worth examining if other treatments are ineffective particularly if excessive scratching is seen.
| ig_a_immunological_disorders_in_the_gsd_hedberg.pdf |
