Prognostic value of small intestinal dilatation in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy

Abstract

To date, little is known about the prognostic significance of ultrasonographic findings in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the prognostic value of ultrasonographic findings in dogs with PLE. A total of 26 dogs with PLE were included: 20 dogs with chronic enteropathy and 6 dogs with gastrointestinal lymphoma. The presence of small intestinal dilatation was associated with shorter survival time in dogs with PLE ( P =0.003). The presence of hyperechoic intestinal mucosal striations was associated with longer survival time in dogs with PLE ( P =0.0085). The results of the current study indicate that the presence of small intestinal dilatation might be associated with poor prognosis in dogs with PLE.

In‐hospital mortality in dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy and associated risk factors

“…Although histopathologic diagnosis was required, in most cases the ileum and jejunum were not biopsied and therefore the presence of neoplasia in these sections of the intestine cannot be excluded. Also, given the retrospective nature of our study, we were unable to reliably assess other predictors of negative outcome in dogs with PLE, including CCECAI, vitamin D concentrations, small intestinal dilatation, epaxial muscle loss, and hair coat quality 3‐10 . Finally, when performing statistical analysis, the decision was made not to correct P ‐values for multiple comparisons, because of sample size, and therefore concern for type II error.…”

“…Also, given the retrospective nature of our study, we were unable to reliably assess other predictors of negative outcome in dogs with PLE, including CCECAI, vitamin D concentrations, small intestinal dilatation, epaxial muscle loss, and hair coat quality. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 Finally, when performing statistical analysis, the decision was made not to correct P ‐values for multiple comparisons, because of sample size, and therefore concern for type II error. In addition, given the sample size, we were unable to perform logistic regression, because the final number of dogs in the outcome group of not surviving until hospital discharge that had complete data and could be included in the models was only 15.…”

“…1,2 Several factors associated with negative outcome in dogs with PLE have been identified, including severity of hypoalbuminemia, hypocobalaminemia, hypovitaminosis D, canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI), body weight, increased blood urea nitrogen concentration, small intestinal dilatation, epaxial muscle loss, coat condition, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Although the rate of mortality of dogs with PLE has been well documented, the cause of death often is not identified. Complications associated with PLE that may contribute to mortality include hypercoagulability, which has been documented in 45% of dogs with chronic enteropathy 11 and was suspected to be the cause of mortality in 10% of Yorkshire terriers with PLE, 12 effusions, immunodeficiency, 13 and hypocalcemia.…”

“… 1 , 2 Several factors associated with negative outcome in dogs with PLE have been identified, including severity of hypoalbuminemia, hypocobalaminemia, hypovitaminosis D, canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI), body weight, increased blood urea nitrogen concentration, small intestinal dilatation, epaxial muscle loss, coat condition, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 …”

2022 Update of the Consensus on the Rational Use of Antithrombotics and Thrombolytics in Veterinary Critical Care (CURATIVE) Domain 1‐ Defining populations at risk

“…There were numerous reports that were considered neutral to the PECO question since they described canine PLE populations without mention of thrombotic complications or dogs with thrombosis without mention of PLE. 49,66,113–116,118–120,146,147,191–245 Most reports of dogs with thrombosis identified an underlying disease other than PLE. Most of the articles describing dogs with PLE made no attempt to identify thrombosis formally, to explore the role of therapy with corticosteroids, or to study coagulation parameters.…”