title: Clinical remission following plasmapheresis and corticosteroid treatment in a dog with acquired myasthenia gravis.
abstract: A 7-year-old sexually intact male Labrador Retriever with regurgitation and generalized muscular weakness resulting from acquired myasthenia gravis received 2 plasmapheresis treatments in combination with corticosteroid treatment. Plasmapheresis was performed in an attempt to rapidly lower serum acetylcholine receptor binding antibody (AChR Ab) concentration. Seven days after the second plasmapheresis treatment, the dog's muscular strength was normal, which coincided with a 70% decrease in serum AChR Ab concentration. Because the dog also received corticosteroids, it is impossible to determine how much of the clinical improvement resulted from plasmapheresis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bartges
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Klausner
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Bostwick
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hakala
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Lennon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone