Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia associated with protein-losing enteropathy in Yorkshire terriers: five cases (1992-1998).
OBJECTIVE
To determine clinical and laboratory findings associated with protein-losing enteropathy, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia in Yorkshire Terriers.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
5 purebred or crossbred Yorkshire Terriers with protein-losing enteropathy, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for dogs with protein-losing enteropathy, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia.


RESULTS
Of 8 dogs with these signs, 5 had Yorkshire Terrier breeding. Common findings were diarrhea, abdominal effusion, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, hypocalcemia (ionized calcium), hypomagnesemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypocholesterolemia, and increased serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase.


CONCLUSIONS
Yorkshire Terriers are at increased risk for development of protein-losing enteropathy with hypomagnesemia and decreased ionized calcium concentration. Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia may have a related pathogenesis involving intestinal loss, malabsorption, and abnormalities of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone metabolism. Serum electrolyte replacement may be required to avoid neurologic and metabolic problems.
Kimmel
S E
SE
Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Waddell
L S
LS
Michel
K E
KE
D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001947:Breeding; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D007019:Hypoproteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D008274:Magnesium