Clinical management and outcomes for 51 Pugs reportedly diagnosed with protein‐losing enteropathy using VetCompass primary care veterinary data

Abstract

Objectives To report the clinicopathological findings, treatment and outcomes of Pugs diagnosed with protein‐losing enteropathy using VetCompass primary care clinical data in the UK and to determine if referral or any specific treatments for protein‐losing enteropathy were associated with outcome. Materials and Methods Retrospective VetCompass study of primary care practice records for Pugs with a recorded diagnosis of protein‐losing enteropathy. Of the 51 Pugs diagnosed with protein‐losing enteropathy between 2017 and 2024 in the UK, clinicopathological results, referral status, treatment and outcome on protein‐losing enteropathy were extracted. Results Twenty‐one of 51 Pugs (41.2%) were referred for protein‐losing enteropathy care. Thirty‐four (66.7%) were treated with prednisolone, 2 (3.9%) with cyclosporin, 6 (11.8%) with chlorambucil and 14 (27.5%) with clopidogrel. Twenty‐two of 51 Pugs (43.1%) died presumed due to their protein‐losing enteropathy, with 54.5% of these deaths occurring within 3 months of diagnosis. More Pugs alive at 3 months compared to those that died within 3 months were treated with prednisolone (28/34 alive vs. 5/12 dead; P =.032) and clopidogrel (14/34 alive vs. 0/12 dead; P =.009). There was no difference between referred and non‐referred Pugs in their probability of being alive versus those that died due to their protein‐losing enteropathy at 3 months (17/34 alive vs. 3/12 dead; P =.183), 1 year (11/24 alive vs. 6/17 dead; P =.539) and 2 years (7/13 alive vs. 8/19 dead; P =.720). Clinical Significance Studies that account for severity of disease are needed to determine if Pugs with protein‐losing enteropathy managed completely in primary care have similar outcomes versus referral. Prednisolone and clopidogrel may increase short‐term survival; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm this.