title: Occult gastrointestinal bleeding is a common finding in dogs with chronic kidney disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The risk of occult gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is known to be increased among human dialysis patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. However, there are no studies to date that investigate the incidence of OGIB in either dogs or people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), irrespective of dialysis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to determine whether the incidence of OGIB is greater in dogs with CKD as compared to a control population, and if this pathology is associated with changes in serum variables related to iron metabolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fecal occult bleeding was evaluated in 10 healthy dogs and 30 CKD dogs. Test results were compared to indicators of blood loss and/or iron metabolism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dogs with CKD had a significantly higher incidence of OGIB than the control group (P < .0001). While 80% of dogs with stage 2 CKD did not exhibit anemia, 90% tested positive for OGIB. Similarly, subjects with stage 4 CKD had more significant blood loss than either stage 2 (P = .0071) or stage 3 CKD (P = .0385). Serum hemoglobin, transferrin, and iron concentrations in the CKD group were statistically lower than in the control group (P < .0001) and correlated with fecal occult bleeding (r = -.61; r = -.40; r = -.44, respectively), as well as serum creatinine concentrations (P < .0001, r = .64).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study suggests that OGIB is a common clinical finding among dogs with CKD, even in the early stages of the disease process. Therefore, fecal occult blood tests may be useful as an indication for gastroprotective agents in the treatment plan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Franca University (UNIFRAN), Franca, Brazil.|Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandro Z
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Crivellenti
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Franca University (UNIFRAN), Franca, Brazil.|Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borin-Crivellenti
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Kristi L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Fertal
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Catarina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Contin
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline M J
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aureo E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Santana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009780:Occult Blood; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D007501:Iron
keywords: Canine; iron metabolism; occult blood loss; screening test