Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diet helped Yorkshire terriers with protein-losing gut disease
By Rudinsky, A J et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2017·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dietary management of presumptive protein-losing enteropathy in Yorkshire terriers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Yorkshire terriers with protein-losing enteropathy (a condition causing loss of protein through the intestines) showed various symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Instead of using medications, the dogs were treated with special diets, including home-cooked meals and specific veterinary diets. Most of the dogs improved significantly, with eight out of eleven showing complete resolution of symptoms and a notable increase in protein levels in their blood within a few weeks. This suggests that managing this condition through diet alone can be effective for some Yorkshire terriers.
People also search for: Yorkshire terrier diarrhea treatment · protein-losing enteropathy diet for dogs · dog vomiting and weight loss causes
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical outcome of dietary management of Yorkshire terriers with protein-losing enteropathy without immunosuppressive/anti-inflammatory medications. METHODS: Records were searched for Yorkshire terriers with hypoalbuminaemia and a clinical diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy that were managed with diet and without immunosuppressive/anti-inflammatory medications. Serum albumin changes were compared using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index scores were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Eleven cases were identified. Clinical signs were variable including: diarrhoea, respiratory signs, vomiting, lethargy and weight loss. Diets fed included home cooked (n=5); Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat (n=4); Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat (n=1); or Purina HA Hypoallergenic (n=1). Clinical signs resolved completely in eight dogs, partially resolved in two dogs and failed to respond in one dog. In dogs that responded, albumin significantly improved from baseline (mean 14·9 g/L, sd ±3·7), at 2 to 4 weeks (mean 24·2 g/L, sd ±5·5, P=0·01), and at 3 to 4 months (mean 27·0 g/dL, sd ±5·9, P=0·01). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicate that dietary management of protein-losing enteropathy is a potential management strategy in Yorkshire terriers. Randomised clinical trials in Yorkshire terriers with protein-losing enteropathy are necessary to compare success rate, survival and quality of life with dietary management versus combined dietary and immunosuppressive/anti-inflammatory therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28160309/