Immunoglobulins in nasal secretions of dog puppies from birth to six weeks of age

In order to investigate local immune defence mechanisms in the dog, the concentration of immunoglobulins (Ig) G, A and M in nasal secretions (NS) and serum of 42 healthy, neonatal Rottweiler puppies was determined. Ig were measured with a commercially available, dog-specific ELISA during the first six weeks of life. On average, IgG was the predominant Ig isotype during the first three days of life. The IgA:IgG ratio changed between weeks 1 and 3 due to markedly decreasing IgG concentrations. Between the fourth and sixth week, IgG predominated again. During the first week, only 21-39% of puppies had measurable amounts of IgM in NS, in week 2, this percentage increased to 69%. Marked differences between litters and between individual puppies within litters were found. No puppy diseased during the observation period and all developed normally.