Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fecal inflammation and protein loss markers in dogs
By Heilmann, Romy M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2017·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Fecal markers of inflammation, protein loss, and microbial changes in dogs with the acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog was brought in with sudden bloody diarrhea and severe dehydration, a condition known as acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS). Tests showed high levels of inflammation and protein loss in the dog's feces, indicating serious gastrointestinal issues. After three days of treatment, these markers significantly decreased, suggesting that the dog was responding well to care. However, some changes in the gut bacteria persisted even after the inflammation improved. With proper treatment, the dog was on the road to recovery.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Idiopathic acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS) is characterized by acute onset of bloody diarrhea, severe dehydration, and increased vascular and intestinal mucosal permeability. Markers of gastrointestinal inflammation, protein loss, and changes in the intestinal microbiota have not been studied extensively in dogs with AHDS. KEY FINDINGS: For 3 consecutive days, feces were collected from dogs with AHDS, and assayed for calprotectin and S100A12 (both markers of inflammation), α-proteinase inhibitor (a marker of gastrointestinal protein loss), and the presence of selected species of bacteria. Concentrations of all assayed markers were significantly greater than the institutional reference intervals at the time of presentation, and all decreased significantly by Day 3 of treatment. Abundances of selected bacterial groups (Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Proteobacteria) at the time of diagnosis were consistent with an intestinal bacterial dysbiosis. No differences in the abundance of bacterial groups over time was seen, except for a mild but significant decrease in Ruminococcaceae at Day 3. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that canine AHDS is associated with a significant but transient gastrointestinal loss of protein and intestinal inflammation. The intestinal bacterial dysbiosis appears to outlast the protein loss and inflammation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28771910/