Pilot study on the safety of swine immunoglobulin in dogs as a substitute for human intravenous immunoglobulin.

Swine immunoglobulin appears feasible in dogs; further studies warranted for immune-mediated disease treatment.

This pilot study evaluated the safety and feasibility of swine immunoglobulin G (SwIgG) as a potential substitute for human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG) in dogs. Three healthy female beagles received purified SwIgG via subcutaneous injection at varying doses (0.2-1.0 g/kg) with or without intradermal administration. Clinical observations and laboratory parameters were monitored for three weeks. Results demonstrated variable tolerability: one dog receiving 1 g/kg experienced vomiting that resolved with treatment, one dog at 0.2 g/kg showed adverse reaction and was withdrawn, and one dog tolerated three serial 0.5 g/kg doses without complications. All dogs exhibited mild transient elevations in creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, and aspartate aminotransferase that normalized by day 7. The study establishes preliminary safety data supporting further investigation of SwIgG as an alternative to hIVIG for treating immune-mediated disorders in dogs, addressing significant cost and supply limitations associated with human immunoglobulin products.

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