Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment comparison for chronic gut disease with protein loss in dogs
By Dandrieux, Julien R S et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2013·School of Veterinary Science, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of a chlorambucil-prednisolone combination with an azathioprine-prednisolone combination for treatment of chronic enteropathy with concurrent protein-losing enteropathy in dogs: 27 cases (2007-2010).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 27 dogs with chronic gastrointestinal issues and low protein levels in their blood were treated with either a combination of azathioprine and prednisolone or chlorambucil and prednisolone. The dogs receiving the chlorambucil combination showed better results, with more significant weight gain and improved protein levels compared to those on azathioprine. While dogs on azathioprine had a median survival time of just 30 days, the chlorambucil group did not reach a median survival time, indicating better outcomes. This suggests that the chlorambucil-prednisolone treatment may be more effective for these conditions.
People also search for: dog chronic enteropathy treatment · protein-losing enteropathy in dogs · chlorambucil for dogs with gastrointestinal issues
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment protocols for chronic enteropathy and concurrent protein-losing enteropathy that used prednisolone in conjunction with either azathioprine or chlorambucil in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 27 dogs. PROCEDURES: All dogs had hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin concentration, < 18.0 g/L) and chronic enteropathy as diagnosed via complete gastrointestinal tract investigations including intestinal biopsy. Dogs received either an azathioprine-prednisolone combination (group A; n = 13) or a chlorambucil-prednisolone combination (group C; 14). Response to treatment was assessed by evaluation of body weight gain, serum albumin concentration, and duration of primary treatment. RESULTS: No significant pretreatment differences were detected between groups for any baseline variable (signalment and weight), clinicopathologic variable (albumin, cobalamin, and folate concentrations), or histopathologic findings. After treatment, serum albumin concentration and weight gain were significantly greater in group C. Median survival time for group A dogs was 30 days (95% confidence interval, 15 to 45 days) and was not reached for group C dogs. Duration of primary treatment was positively associated with the histopathologic presence of mild lacteal dilatation and use of a chlorambucil-prednisolone combination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that a chlorambucil-prednisolone protocol is more efficacious for treatment of chronic enteropathy and concurrent protein-losing enteropathy, compared with an azathioprine-prednisolone combination. Given these findings, a prospective randomized clinical trial is warranted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23725434/