Clinical response of acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis treated with therapeutic plasma exchange in four dogs

Abstract Acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis (AIP) is an immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy in dogs for which no specific treatment has been established in veterinary medicine. In human medicine, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a standard treatment for Guillain–Barré syndrome, a clinically analogous condition. In this case series, we describe 4 dogs diagnosed with AIP and treated with TPE. All dogs received 3 consecutive TPE sessions, processing between 4.2 and 4.8 total dog plasma volumes. Motor function improvement was observed after the first session in all cases, with near-complete neurological recovery at discharge. No adverse effects were reported. During follow-up (2-12 months), 3 dogs remained disease-free, and 1 dog experienced a recurrence that subsequently resolved. These cases suggest that TPE might promote rapid clinical improvement in dogs with AIP, representing a promising emergency treatment option for dogs with severe and rapidly progressive neurological deficits.