Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs – Retrospective Study in 136 Cases

• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14739
• Publication Date: 2017-07-13T13:42:37Z
• Authors: M. Volkmann; J.M. Steiner; G.T. Fosgate; J. Zentek; S. Hartmann; B. Kohn
• Keywords: Chronic diarrhea

Background Chronic diarrhea ( CD ) is common in dogs, and information on frequency distribution of primary secondary causes lacking. Objectives To evaluate underlying predictors outcome dogs with . Animals One hundred thirty‐six client‐owned (≥3 weeks duration). Methods Retrospective review medical records (Small Animal Clinic, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, 09/2009‐07/2011). Quantification final diagnoses comparison clinical aspects including disease severity clinicopathological abnormalities among remission (either complete [gastrointestinal signs absent] or partial [clinical improvement gastrointestinal reduced episodes shortened duration]), those without recovery. Results Ninety percent were diagnosed a enteropathy: inflammatory (71%; 66% dietary responsive, 23% idiopathic, 11% antibiotic responsive), infectious (13%), neoplastic (4%), one dog each mechanical systemic vasculitis. Secondary 10% dogs: exocrine pancreatic (6%), endocrine (2%), hepatic, renal, cardiac disease. In total, 87% had remission, whereas 13% died did not respond to treatment: Lack recovery was frequently recorded for (idiopathic) significantly associated increased scores P = .005), anemia (hematocrit < 40%, .001), severe hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <2.0 g/ dL , .008), hypocobalaminemia cobalamin concentration <200 pg/ mL .006). Conclusions importance Inflammatory enteropathies particularly origin the most dogs. Findings support usefulness hematocrit, serum as prognostic markers