Loss of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression associated with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a young Miniature Bull Terrier

BACKGROUND: Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare clinical syndrome in veterinary medicine characterized by severe intestinal dysmotility without evidence of mechanical occlusion of the intestinal lumen. The exact pathogenesis of CIPO is unknown. CASE PRESENTATION: A 1-year-old male Miniature Bull Terrier dog was presented with a history of chronic weight loss, regurgitation, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. The dog was submitted for exploratory laparotomy. A full thickness intestinal biopsy was taken and a CIPO was suspected. The clinical condition deteriorated and the dog was euthanized. At gross examination the small intestine was severely dilated. Histologically severe fibrosis of the submucosa and severe atrophy of the tunica muscularis were present in small intestine and colon. Immunohistochemical examination with a panel of antibodies for gastro-intestinal neuromuscular disease-associated antigens revealed a severely reduced expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in the tunica muscularis. CONCLUSIONS: This case report describes the gross, histological and immunohistochemical findings of CIPO affecting a 1-year-old Miniature Bull Terrier; on the basis of these findings a myopathic form of CIPO is hypothesized in this case.