Clinical Features, Intestinal Histopathology, and Outcome in Protein‐Losing Enteropathy in Yorkshire Terrier Dogs. (27th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simmerson, S.M.; Armstrong, P.J.; Wünschmann, A.; Jessen, C.R.; Crews, L.J.; Washabau, R.J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary internal medicine. Volume 28:Number 2(2014:Mar./Apr.)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 337
• Publication Date: 2014-01-27
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.0896
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12291
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-6640

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jvim12291-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jvim12291-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>A poorly understood protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) disorder has been reported in Yorkshire Terrier dogs.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12291-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To describe clinical features, intestinal histopathology, and outcome in Yorkshire Terrier dogs with PLE, and to identify variables predictive of outcome.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12291-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Animals</title> <p>Thirty client‐owned Yorkshire Terrier dogs with PLE.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12291-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Retrospective study. Records of dogs with a diagnosis of PLE were reviewed. Intestinal histopathology was interpreted using the World Small Animal Veterinary Association gastrointestinal histopathology classification system. Discriminate analysis techniques were used to identify variables predictive of outcome.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12291-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Females outnumbered males (20/30). Median age was 7 years (range 1–12). Common clinical signs were diarrhea (20/30), vomiting (11), ascites and abdominal distension (11), and respiratory difficulty (8). Histopathologic abnormalities included villous lymphatic dilatation, crypt lesions, villous stunting, and variable increases in cellularity of the lamina propria. All dogs were treated with glucocorticoids. Of 23 dogs with long‐term follow‐up, 9 had complete, and 3 had partial, resolution of signs, and 11 failed to respond to treatment. Median survival of responders was 44 months and of nonresponders was 12 months, with 4 dogs experiencing peracute death. Vomiting, monocytosis, severity of hypoalbuminemia, low blood urea nitrogen concentration, and villous blunting were predictive of survival <4 months.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12291-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>In addition to classic GI signs, Yorkshire Terriers with PLE often show clinical signs associated with hypoalbuminemia and low oncotic pressure. Lymphatic dilatation, crypt lesions, and villous stunting are consistent histopathologic findings. Clinical outcomes are variable, but many dogs experience remission of clinical signs and prolonged survival.</p> </sec> </abstract>