PRIMARY CONGENITAL LYMPHEDEMA IN 7 YOUNG LABRADOR DOGS, A GERMAN-SHEPHERD DOG AND A CANADIAN WOLF

The clinical symptoms, diagnosis, development and therapy of primary c ongenital lymphoedema from seven young Labradors, a German Shepherd an d a Canadian wolf are presented. Clinic. The primary congenital lympho edema in dogs is a hereditary (autosomal dominant) lymphangiodysplasia . The disease has been clinically observed in young dogs in form of li mb oedema (localised form), or by generalised lymphoedema, and can be seen on limbs as well as areas such as the bride of the nose, the pinn ae, and vulva. The rear limbs are primarily affected (one or both side s) in the most common localised form. It then develops to distal circu mferential swelling disfigurements in the hocks, metatarsal regions an d paws. Diagnosis: The diagnosis was clinically established using a dy e test (patent blue violet), and by radiography through indirect lymph angiography. In the dogs examined by lymphangiography, previously susp ected hypoplasias/aplasias in the initial dermal lymphvessels, the pre collectors and collectors were discovered for the first time. Their po ssible etiology is described. Therapy. Information clinical course con cerning the further course of the lymphoedema dogs, spontaneous regres sion and complications, and success by a complex physical decongesting therapy (including the daily medication of 5.6-Benzo(alpha)pyrone is given. A clinical compensation was achieved in a dog with generalised primary lymphoedema after 8 years of treatment. This remained without therapy since a three-year long post observation phase. The results of the lymphangiographic control examination of the lymphoedema dog take n after 11 years, and the possible compensation mechanisms, are discus sed.