Clinical features, intestinal histopathology, and outcome in protein-losing enteropathy in Yorkshire Terrier dogs.
BACKGROUND
A poorly understood protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) disorder has been reported in Yorkshire Terrier dogs.


OBJECTIVE
To describe clinical features, intestinal histopathology, and outcome in Yorkshire Terrier dogs with PLE, and to identify variables predictive of outcome.


METHODS
Thirty client-owned Yorkshire Terrier dogs with PLE.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Internal Medicine, Dogs and Cats Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital, Bowie, MD.
S M
SM
Simmerson
P J
PJ
Armstrong
A
A
Wünschmann
C R
CR
Jessen
L J
LJ
Crews
R J
RJ
Washabau
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
Endoscopic biopsy; Inflammatory bowel disease; Lymphangiectasia